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Ian Goldby · 27-01-2005, 23:24

I had a major problem with NTL dropping legitimate email that I needed to receive late last year. I got the the line from 1st level technical support that it was because the emails contained viruses. I knew this wasn't the case.

It was only when I got through to 2nd level technical support that they admitted that they are using the SORBS realtime blacklist (RBL).

The problem with RBLs is that they generate a lot of 'collateral damage'. A RBL is a list of servers that have been noted by the RBL administrators as having been used to send spam at some time in the past. That means one spammer using a server can make that server useless for all the other legitimate customers.

SORBS is particularly problematic in that they consider themselves to be completely unaccountable to those who use their lists. They make a point of saying that they provide these lists on an 'as is' basis and do not stipulate in any way what the lists should be used for. In other words, you are free to use these lists to block email, but they might not do what you want. It is up to you to decide if they serve your purpose.

This is really why I think it is so irresponsible of NTL to be using SORBS at the moment, and as the sole criterion in blocking emails from SORBS-listed servers.

Anyway, I'm currently in dispute with NTL over this issue. So far they have been less than forthcoming in offering a resolution. If they don't soon, it will go to OTELO. If you can really be bothered, you can read about it on my web site.

27-01-2005, 23:24	#39
Ian Goldby Inactive Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nottingham, UK Services: Telephone Broadband Posts: 5	Re: Spam/virus filtering ???? I had a major problem with NTL dropping legitimate email that I needed to receive late last year. I got the the line from 1st level technical support that it was because the emails contained viruses. I knew this wasn't the case. It was only when I got through to 2nd level technical support that they admitted that they are using the SORBS realtime blacklist (RBL). The problem with RBLs is that they generate a lot of 'collateral damage'. A RBL is a list of servers that have been noted by the RBL administrators as having been used to send spam at some time in the past. That means one spammer using a server can make that server useless for all the other legitimate customers. SORBS is particularly problematic in that they consider themselves to be completely unaccountable to those who use their lists. They make a point of saying that they provide these lists on an 'as is' basis and do not stipulate in any way what the lists should be used for. In other words, you are free to use these lists to block email, but they might not do what you want. It is up to you to decide if they serve your purpose. This is really why I think it is so irresponsible of NTL to be using SORBS at the moment, and as the sole criterion in blocking emails from SORBS-listed servers. Anyway, I'm currently in dispute with NTL over this issue. So far they have been less than forthcoming in offering a resolution. If they don't soon, it will go to OTELO. If you can really be bothered, you can read about it on my web site.