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Technical News & Discussion => IDNet Help => Topic started by: Dopamine on Feb 18, 2009, 23:01:49

Title: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: Dopamine on Feb 18, 2009, 23:01:49
Does anyone know how to turn off IDNet's infuriating email grey-listing?

Although I stopped using IDNet's email service some time ago after its many problems, I still retain a couple of IDNet addresses for use when I want to sign up to forums or sites. Unfortunately, registration emails to my IDNet addresses generally take well over an hour to arrive, by which time I've given up waiting and moved onto something else.

I've just tried to open an account at http://speedchecker.org using an IDNet address. The registration email still hasn't arrived. Fed up with the wait, I opened a second account using my own domain email, and the registration email arrived within 10 seconds.

I would ask the question of IDNet's support, but they're only open during office hours; not much use for the average user.
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: zappaDPJ on Feb 18, 2009, 23:20:05
I wonder if this is why some of the emails sent to my IDNet account are taking so long to arrive. I'm afraid I don't have an answer for you but I'd be interested to hear if you find out more.
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: Simon on Feb 18, 2009, 23:26:16
The grey listing is resident on the mail servers, and can't be turned off for individual accounts, as far as I know.  You can switch off all local filtering in the customer account settings, but I don't think that would help. 
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: Sebby on Feb 18, 2009, 23:57:43
That's also my understanding; grey-listing is something enabled on the server. If mail is taking a long time to be received, it indicates one of 2 things: IDNet's system needs tweaking, or the sending mail server (speedchecker.org) is badly setup.
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: Rik on Feb 19, 2009, 10:00:47
The grey-list server asks for a re-send in five minutes, from memory. The sending server may be waiting much longer.
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: Sebby on Feb 19, 2009, 13:01:26
Indeed. That's kind of what I meant by the sending server may be badly setup. :)
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: davej99 on Feb 19, 2009, 13:11:02
I am ashamed  to admit it, but I am not sure I know what grey listing is. :blush: Does anyone have a moment to explain it and how I might be affected? Thanks.
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: Sebby on Feb 19, 2009, 13:13:26
Have a look at this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_listing). :)
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: Rik on Feb 19, 2009, 13:15:06
When mail arrives at IDNet, Dave, it first passes through a boundary server. This looks at the sending address and, if it's unknown, it will reject the mail and ask the sending server to re-submit. As most spammers want fast results, they tend to move on, while the genuine mail will retry and get through at the second attempt. Once the address is known, it's accepted immediately. Certain addresses are accepted without grey listing (I believe), eg idnet.com.

Once the mail is through that outer barrier, at account level, each mailbox applies more sophisticated spam filtering techniques.

The boundary servers reduce the millions of spams received each day, freeing up the mail servers to get on with the job more speedily.
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: davej99 on Feb 19, 2009, 13:46:11
:thnks: Sebby, :karma: and Rik :karma:
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: Rik on Feb 19, 2009, 14:42:34
Glad to help, Dave. :)
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: colirv on Feb 19, 2009, 15:31:47
Dopamine - it might be worth looking to see if pending email can be whitelisted and released immediately. My spamcop email can do this.
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: cavillas on Feb 19, 2009, 16:27:41
Quote from: davej99 on Feb 19, 2009, 13:11:02
I am ashamed  to admit it, but I am not sure I know what grey listing is. :blush: Does anyone have a moment to explain it and how I might be affected? Thanks.

It's a list of all idnetters over the age of 50'ish. ;D
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: Rik on Feb 19, 2009, 16:30:21
:rofl: :karmic:
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: cavillas on Feb 19, 2009, 16:41:49
Someone had to though. :evil:
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: Glenn on Feb 19, 2009, 16:43:08
I must be a loophole then to be on the grey list before my 50th
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: Rik on Feb 19, 2009, 16:55:12
You're just proving the rule. :)
Title: Re: How do I turn off IDNet email grey-listing?
Post by: cavillas on Feb 19, 2009, 16:59:49
or the servers playing about. ::)