[TriLUG] [Fwd: Important Cox E-Mail Delivery Changes]

[Chris Bullock]

I just got this from Cox. I am using postfix at home for my smtp but now 
cox is tring to block *any* smtp servers on their network except their 
own. Any ideas how how I can get around this. Would NAT do anything, or 
have I lost this battle already.
--cgb
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Important Cox E-Mail Delivery Changes
Date: 	Fri, 27 Jun 2003 14:19:42 -0400 (EDT)
From: 	Cox Communications <Cox_Net at updates.cox.com>
To: 	cgbullock at cox.net



Dear Customer,

With the increasing popularity of always-on High Speed Internet
connections, the potential for unsolicited e-mail, or SPAM, has also
increased.  This is not only considered a nuisance by our valued
customers, but also potentially degrades customers e-mail service by
consuming network and mail server resources.  SPAM also increases the
potential for computer related virus attacks.  In an effort to protect
our customers, as well as other members of the Internet community
receiving e-mail from Cox customers, Cox is currently engaged in an
initiative to reduce the amount of SPAM originating from our Cox High
Speed Internet network.  Beginning Wednesday, July 2, 2003 we will filter
access to all 3rd party outgoing (SMTP) mail servers.

You may be connecting to a 3rd party mail server because of one of the
following reasons:

 - Your e-mail software, such as Outlook Express, is configured to
use a 3rd party outgoing mail server to send e-mail, with or without
your knowledge.

 - Your computer may be allowing other users from the Internet to
connect to it.  These outside users may be using your machine to
‘relay’ their e-mail. We recommend that you review the security of
your PC.

 - Your computer is infected with a virus that is attempting to spread
itself via e-mail. We recommend that you update your anti-virus
software and scan your machine for viruses.

We believe that by putting this filter in place, we will stop 9 out of
10 spam e-mails coming from the Cox network.  This will not only
improve the experience for all Internet users, it will help insure
that other Internet Service providers do not take action to block
legitimate e-mail from our users.

Following the implementation of this filter, any e-mail software
configured to use an SMTP server other than smtp.east.cox.net to send
e-mail from your computer will no longer work.  Although you will
still be able to read any e-mail sent to you, an error message such as
the one shown below will appear when you attempt to send e-mail to
others:

  A time-out occurred while communicating with the server.
  Account: ‘otheraccount.otherisp.com’, Server: ‘othersmtp.otherisp.com’,
  Protocol: SMTP, Port 25, Secure(SSL): No, Error Number: 0x800CCC19


Customers using 3rd party email services must re-configure their email
clients to use smtp.east.cox.net to send outbound e-mail.  You will
find detailed instructions for configuring your mail client to use Cox
servers for outbound SMTP e-mail traffic on our support site at the
following URL:

http://support.cox.net/custsup/email/settingup.shtml

If you have a personal vanity domain you may still be able to use it
in your e-mail address, as long as you use Cox e-mail servers when
sending outgoing messages.

If you would like more information on this initiative, please visit
our support site at:

http://support.cox.net/custsup/email/email_info.shtml.

Thank you for choosing Cox as your High Speed Internet provider.


Regards,
Cox High Speed Internet Team