[KLUG Members] Big Net and Redworm mania

[Bruce Smith]

> >>I don't know if I am the only BigNet DSL subscriber on this list,  but
> >>last night they decided to block the ports for WWW and SMTP (inbound) in
> >>order to alleviate the problems with "vulnerable" residential systems.
> >A lot of ISPs are also blocking ports outbound, like SMTP, so you are
> >FORCED to use their outgoing mail server.  You cannot run your own,
> >and you can't use anyone else's.  They claim this is to cut down on
> >spam, so spammers can't use unauthorized relays.
> 
> I don't see how it reduces virii, worms, etc... either. 

Blocking port 80 might stop a couple code red worms.

> It seems ignorant and
> wrong headed.  Unless they are scanning the SMTP traffic (want to make me truly
> pissed off?) the attachments just continue sailing about.  If my fudged up IIS
> applett or my Outlook uses there SMTP server or whatever how the heck to they
> know the difference.

Maybe they are blocking _outgoing_ SMTP traffic, forcing people to 
use their sendmail server, so they can scan it, ala carnivore?

> >If this really cut down on spam, I wouldn't be so upset, but I'm
> >getting the same amount of spam, if not more, than I normally do.
> >At least, you can run your SSH & HTTP server on different ports
> >that aren't blocked.  It probably wouldn't do much good to run
> >sendmail on a different port.  :-)
> 
> They haven't blocked SSH (yet).  I wouldn't much care about HTTP.  But SMTP?
> What the hell are you supposed to do?  Does your average WinXX box even listen
> for SMTP?  I wouldn't think so unless you've installed M$-Exchange.

It has nothing to do with that.  They want users of those services to 
pay extra for a business connection.  A lot of ISPs do that, but it
really sucks they changed the rules on you in mid-contract!

> Anyway I submitted it to Slashdot (although I doubt they'll post it). 

Yeah, I tried to post a rant to /. about thawte.com awhile ago, and it 
didn't make it.  Partially because I was really upset when I wrote it.   :-)

> E-mail
> BigNets management.  E-mailed some Linux/BigNet users I found on www.google.com.
>  And if I don't hear back real soon I'm filling out a complaint with Consumer
> Affairs.

Good luck!!!

--------------------------------------------
Bruce Smith                bruce@armintl.com
System Administrator / Network Administrator
Armstrong International, Inc.
Three Rivers, Michigan  49093  USA
http://www.armstrong-intl.com/
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