[SOLVED] Does Virgin Media block outgoing connections on port 25?

[Kieren]

I'm looking for a new ISP and want one that doesn't block port 25 so that I can run my own mail server and I'm looking at Virgin Media

Anyway, my question is can someone who is currently using Virgin Media test if they can connect to a mail exchange on port 25 for me? To check use Google's server you can just use the command:

telnet aspmx.l.google.com 25

If you could post the output that would be great!

[elija]

Don't know about Virgin but you can with Plusnet. If that's any help at all

[coopstah13]

most ISP don't want you hosting anything of any kind, good luck in your endeavour

You might be able to get away with using non default ports somehow

[schwim]

Just run your mail server on an alternate port. It's a fairly common practice to get around a blocked port.

[Kieren]

Just run your mail server on an alternate port. It's a fairly common practice to get around a blocked port.

The problem is sending e-mails. Most servers are set up to run on port 25 and a lot of ISPs block that port to stop your connection being used by a spam bot to send loads of e-mails. I am able to receive e-mails when port 25 is blocked but not send

[schwim]

I thought you were sending them out to a server that you controlled. All of my servers run a copy of exim on port 26.

If you don't have control of a server, then you could try adding your account to a gmail account and use their secure ports to send through.

[caseyf]

There are lots of good reasons for blocking Port 25. Look for the best practises recommendations from the Anti-Spam Technical Alliance and from the Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group (sorry, the forum won't let me post URLs for these, which would be easier). Most ISPs will block Port 25 from dynamic IP addresses, they should not from static addresses.

[Kieren]

I thought you were sending them out to a server that you controlled. All of my servers run a copy of exim on port 26.

If you don't have control of a server, then you could try adding your account to a gmail account and use their secure ports to send through.

Yeah, I know this is possible but then I'm relying on Google and also allowing them to process all my mail anyway they like. I decided I may as well just use my current ISPs SMTP server.

There are lots of good reasons for blocking Port 25. Look for the best practises recommendations from the Anti-Spam Technical Alliance and from the Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group (sorry, the forum won't let me post URLs for these, which would be easier). Most ISPs will block Port 25 from dynamic IP addresses, they should not from static addresses.

I understand what the problem is and why they do it and agree with the reasoning. However I want to use port 25 for outgoing connections and since I'm paying for the connection I'm going to choose an ISP that allows me to do so

[schwim]

There are lots of good reasons for blocking Port 25.

And there are lots of good reasons for blocking all connections. Do you have any idea the amount of havoc wreaked via port 80?

An ISP unable to monitor it's own users' traffic and simply blocking ports to make their job easier is an ISP that you shouldn't be using.

+1 to finding an ISP that allows you to actually use the internet.

[Kieren]

I've just found a friend on Virgin Internet and can let you know that Virgin Internet doesn't block port 25, at least for now