Re: Getting open smtp servers fixed

[Piet Beertema <]

    	The spammer can still use the smarthost (much as if they were using an
    	open relay, of course) but you by forcing all the mail through a
    	single point the ISP can more easily detect the spammer early on.
    I agree that control at the IP (well, TCP) level is very attractive
    and have a strong dislike of keyword-based message rejection.
Keyword-based message rejection can be circumvented by
sending PGP-encrypted messages, since PGP public keys
are public by definition. Use of PGP isn't commonplace
today, but that may change. But spammers exploiting PGP
may well pose a threat to [the use of] PGP itself. I'm
obviously not speaking about "Big Brother countries"
where [PGP-] encryption is illegal.

    I don't think much would break if an ISP 'grabbed' all outbound port 25
    packets and redirected them to its mail relay. [SMTP AUTH?]
Iff this is clearly stated in the contracts, an ISP can
do so. Few -if any- contracts will state this though.


	Piet