On 13 Aug 2000, 11:30, Tim Schoon wrote:
> Are there any openly usable public SMTP servers out there?
The SMTP protocol originally never called for a verification or
authentication routine. So in a sense, any SMTP server still operating
by standard SMTP, is in effect, "open to the public." Spammers have
traditionally exploited this fact and used open smtp gateways to send
forged, unsolicited bulk business messages.
To combat the spammers, more and more service providers have stopped
the open nature of the smtp protocol. Generally a verification process
is in place to check IP and domain addresses in the envelope of the
message to make sure they match or sometimes to confirm that the user
is authorized to have their messages relayed.
We have learned on our list that some providers combat spam by various
authentication methods or just not allowing smtp at all.
So to answer your question, Tim, there are getting to be less and less
open smtp servers and none were ever truly intended to be openly
available to the public. I know of none offhand that I could point you
to without having you first sign up for an account with the service.
Alan
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
