AT&T WorldNet
IMPOSES BLACKLIST
ON
EMAIL CUSTOMERS September 11-17?, 2003
visits since September 14, 2003
A compilation of related communications
This web page is http://obri.net/att/blacklist.html
Web page by Jay O'Brien
jayobrien@att.net
jump to other ATT WorldNet related issues
This correspondence below was extracted from ATT worldnet user newsgroups.
I was first made aware of the problem when my son told me that his email to me, and to his mother, had been blocked by ATT. The returned mail error stated included "blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net."
By reviewing the newsgroups, I learned that many others were complaining of the same problem, and receiving only a referral to have the sender contact ATT abuse, a catch 22 situation as I learned that ATT abuse was also not accepting email from the people blacklisted by ATT. Later ATT told me (and others) to also report to abuse_rbl@att.net, but the immediate automated response from that address makes it clear that the address is ONLY for the use of network administrators.
Ultimately I set up a different email address that is not controlled by ATT, so my son and others can again send me email. I am concerned now that I can no longer give anyone my att.net email address with confidence that email sent by that person will actually get to me. ATT is censoring my mail, making arbitrary and capricious decisions about who should be able to send mail to me, its paying customer.
My correspondence is first below. Following that are email messages from and to others that I have captured from the ATT newsgroups.
My comments, added later, are in red. I have used bold print to provide MY emphasis to certain phrases. I have obfuscated some names and addresses in my attempt to offer privacy to those ATT customers I have quoted.
My son was able to email me on September 17. I do not have any idea what was done or what will be done by ATT in the future.
Jay O'Brien
PS: At the request of AT&T, I have attempted to remove the names and email addresses of all AT&T staff from this web page. I believe they are now all removed. 10/13/03.
I forwarded the rejection message my son received from ATT to abuse@att.net. This was the response:
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Why are you blocking email from my son? [091103-212603-20887-00]
Date: 12 Sep 2003 01:26:04 -0000
From: please_do_not_reply@att.net
To: jayobrien@att.net
** DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE **
** AT&T WILL NOT SEE ANY REPLY SENT TO THIS MESSAGE **
Thank you for your report to the AT&T Internet Investigations and Security Services Team. We are not able to respond personally to each message received, but wish to assure you that we investigate each and every abuse report we receive, and will take the appropriate action. In the future, forward any complaints you have with the original E-mail you received. Please send them one at a time while keeping the subject line intact and include the entire, EXPANDED header information to the following address:
abuse@att.net
If you've already included the above information please disregard these instructions.
If you need help in reading the headers visit the following URL's,
For specific instructions on how to view headers in different E-mail clients please go to: http://www.wurd.com/eng/ABCs/spamfight.htm
For general information on reading E-mail headers go to: http://www.stopspam.org/email/headers/headers.html
These URLs will give you an idea of what we are looking for.
If we can be of further service, feel free to contact us at this email address:
abuse@att.net
Thank you!
This is the first message I posted on an ATT newsgroup:
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: blacklist information?
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 01:56:14 GMT
From: Jay O'Brien <jayobrien@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
All of a sudden my son is no longer able to send me email. His mail bounces because it has been blacklisted by att.
I've forwarded the bounce message, with headers, to abuse, as has my son. The reply message from abuse sounds like I will not get any kind of an answer.
What's going on here? I expect my son, who has his own vanity domain, to be able to send email to me. Will I or my son get an answer from abuse other than the automated response?
Jay O'Brien
The message, attachment removed, follows. I have obfuscated his address and my wife's address.
X-From_: MAILER-DAEMON Thu Sep 11 17:50:15 2003
Return-Path: <MAILER-DAEMON>
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 17:50:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mail Delivery Subsystem <MAILER-DAEMON@mtaw4.prodigy.net>
To: <don@xxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Returned mail: see transcript for details
Auto-Submitted: auto-generated (failure)
The original message was received at Thu, 11 Sep 2003 17:50:11 -0700 (PDT) from adsl-64-168-24-223.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net [64.168.24.223]
----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors ----- <jayobrien@att.net>
(reason: 550 64.164.98.52 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. -> Mail connection blocked. Reason: T)
<xxxxx@att.net> (reason: 550 64.164.98.52 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. -> Mail connection blocked. Reason: T)
----- Transcript of session follows -----
... while talking to gateway2.att.net.:
<<< 550 64.164.98.52 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. -> Mail connection blocked. Reason: T
... while talking to gateway1.att.net.:>>> QUIT
<<< 550 64.164.98.52 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. ->
Mail connection blocked. Reason: T
554 5.0.0 Service unavailable
Reporting-MTA: dns; mtaw4.prodigy.net
Received-From-MTA: DNS; adsl-64-168-24-223.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net
Arrival-Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 17:50:11 -0700 (PDT)
Final-Recipient: RFC822; jayobrien@att.net
Action: failed
Status: 5.5.0
Diagnostic-Code: SMTP; 550 64.164.98.52 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. -> Mail connection blocked. Reason: T
Last-Attempt-Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 17:50:15 -0700 (PDT)
Final-Recipient: RFC822; xxxxx@att.net
Action: failed
Status: 5.5.0
Diagnostic-Code: SMTP; 550 64.164.98.52 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. -> Mail connection blocked. Reason: T
Last-Attempt-Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 17:50:15 -0700 (PDT)
Return-Path: <xxxxx@superxxxx.com>
Received: from gty (adsl-64-168-24-223.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net [64.168.24.223])
by mtaw4.prodigy.net (8.12.9/8.12.3) with SMTP id h8C0oB6P018350;
Thu, 11 Sep 2003 17:50:11 -0700 (PDT)
Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.20030911175109.00e1e320@mail.got.net>
X-Sender: super123@mail.got.net
X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Pro Version 3.0.1 (32)
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 17:51:09 -0700
To: jayobrien@att.net, xxxxx@att.net
From: "Don O'Brien" <xxxxx@superxxxx.com>
Subject: Returned mail: see transcript for details
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="=====================_1063353069==_"
X-From_: MAILER-DAEMON Thu Sep 11 17:23:02 2003
Return-Path: <MAILER-DAEMON>
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 17:23:02 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mail Delivery Subsystem <MAILER-DAEMON@mtaw4.prodigy.net>
To: <xxxxx@superxxxx.com>
Subject: Returned mail: see transcript for details
Auto-Submitted: auto-generated (failure)
The original message was received at Thu, 11 Sep 2003 17:22:58 -0700 (PDT) from adsl-64-168-24-223.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net [64.168.24.223]
----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors ----- <jayobrien@att.net> (reason: 550 64.164.98.52 blocked by
blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. -> Mail connection blocked. Reason: T)
<xxxxx@att.net> (reason: 550 64.164.98.52 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. -> Mail connection blocked. Reason: T)
----- Transcript of session follows -----
... while talking to gateway2.att.net.:
<<< 550 64.164.98.52 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. -> Mail connection blocked. Reason: T
... while talking to gateway1.att.net.: >>> QUIT
<<< 550 64.164.98.52 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. -> Mail connection blocked. Reason: T
554 5.0.0 Service unavailable
Reporting-MTA: dns; mtaw4.prodigy.net
Received-From-MTA: DNS; adsl-64-168-24-223.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net
Arrival-Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 17:22:58 -0700 (PDT)
Final-Recipient: RFC822; jayobrien@att.net
Action: failed
Status: 5.5.0
Diagnostic-Code: SMTP; 550 64.164.98.52 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. -> Mail connection blocked. Reason: T
Last-Attempt-Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 17:23:02 -0700 (PDT)
Final-Recipient: RFC822; xxxxx@att.net
Action: failed
Status: 5.5.0
Diagnostic-Code: SMTP; 550 64.164.98.52 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. -> Mail connection blocked. Reason: T
Last-Attempt-Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 17:23:02 -0700 (PDT)
Return-Path: <xxxxx@superxxxx.com>
Received: from gty (adsl-64-168-24-223.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net [64.168.24.223])
by mtaw4.prodigy.net (8.12.9/8.12.3) with SMTP id h8C0Mw6P025516;
Thu, 11 Sep 2003 17:22:58 -0700 (PDT)
Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.20030911172541.00e1e320@mail.got.net>
X-Sender: sxxxxx@mail.got.net
X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Pro Version 3.0.1 (32)
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 17:25:41 -0700
To: "Jay O'Brien" <jayobrien@att.net>
From: "Don O'Brien" <xxxxx@supermaze.com>
Subject: Re: Property layout
Cc: "Jan O'Brien" <xxxxx@att.net>
In-Reply-To: <3F60FE24.6050205@att.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/mixed;
boundary="=====================_1063351541==_"
This is my first approximation (see attached gif) rectangle is house, square is garage...oops I mean "barn"
I'm not sure I remember your 2 acre division plans correctly, but it probably would make sense to be sure it fits in at least one of them.
Looks like from the picture there aren't even any trees in the way.
------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: blacklist information?
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 01:58:41 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Electronic Customer Care
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
References: <2J98b.135617$0v4.9912822@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>
Jay,
Be sure to forward the information to abuse_rbl@att.net
Though an email to Abuse will initially generate an automated response, each legitimate request is being investigated and answered in the order it was received. We ask for your patience as a member of our Abuse team will reply to each request. Depending upon the level of investigation replies may take a week.
Worldnet continues to help its users protect themselves against unsolicited email. Email from the isp may have been rejected because the sending domain has been associated with unsolicited email received, and complained about, by Worldnet users
--
AT&T Electronic Customer Care - Newsgroup Support Agent
How are we doing? Take our survey and let us know: http://surveys.att.net/cgi-bin/miva393/newsgroupsurvey.mv?PSING
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: blacklist information?
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 03:25:10 GMT
From: Rxxxxxxx Bxxx <Bxxxxxxx@att.spam.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
It's the IP address 64.164.98.52 which is being blacklisted. The reason for blacklisting is almost always that the IP address has been the source of spam. Your son needs to talk to his ISP about it.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: blacklist information?
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 03:54:23 GMT
From: Jay O'Brien <jayobrien@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
Yes, I know. That is Pacific Bell, aka SBC. Dealing with SBC, when you are a customer of another ISP, is somewhat like nailing jelly to a tree.
And, David, I forwarded another copy of the original to abuse_rbl@att.net. That's a new address to me.
This is the answer I received from abuse_rbl@att.net. Note that abuse_rbl is an address ONLY for network administrators to use, disagreeing with the advice from theNewsgroup Support Agents:
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Fwd: Re: blacklist information?] [091103-234636-19955-00]
Date: 12 Sep 2003 03:46:36 -0000
From: please_do_not_reply@att.net
To: jayobrien@att.net
Thank you for contacting the AT&T Internet Investigations and Security Services Team at abuse_rbl@att.net.
This address is intended for network admin inquiries regarding blocked email intended for delivery to att.net. If you are a network admin, please specify that in your inquiry. Please be sure to include the IP of your SMTP mailserver in your inquiry. For all other blocking or spam related issues, please email:
abuse@att.net
Regards,
AT&T IISS Team
My follow up post, after determining that my son's emails to abuse@att.net also bounced back to him:
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: blacklist information?
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 07:14:11 GMT
From: Jay O'Brien <jayobrien@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
I have received NOTHING from either of my messages sent to both abuse addresses, and my son is unable to send his bounce to abuse because the ATT abuse address, like my ATT address, does not accept his email.
It appears that ATT is throwing the baby out with the bathwater in its newest action to "protect" us from spam. I want to decide whether or not to accept spam, and I check my screened mail every day as part of my effort to make sure I get email I should get. Brightmail is extremely good; however, this latest blocking decision by ATT is inappropriate because I can't review the mail sent to me to find that mail I want, like mail from my son as described in my original post.
It looks like ATT is trying to force its subscribers to establish other email addresses so as to be able to receive email. I would like to remind ATT that as a subscriber I pay ATT to send email destined for me TO ME, not to reject it back to the sender.
Please remove my son's domain from the ATT blacklist so I can again receive email from him.
Jay O'Brien
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: blacklist information?
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 12:25:01 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Electronic Customer Care
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
Jay,
As the original information posted by David stated, "each legitimate request is being investigated and answered in the order it was received. .... a member of our Abuse team will reply to each request. Depending upon the level of investigation replies may take up to one week".
Has it been that long for you at this point?
Your post will be included in our newsgroup reports and seen by management so they are aware of your upset with this situation.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: blacklist information?
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 16:00:43 GMT
From: Jay O'Brien <jayobrien@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
No, it has "only" been three days. Three days that my son has been unable to send me mail, thanks to the arbitrary and capricious action taken by ATT to blacklist without any notification to ATT customers. What is next? I use my DSL ISP's SMTP to send email identified as coming from my att address. Tomorrow you could decide to blacklist that IP range, and I wouldn't even be able to send email to myself! The one week delay you quoted is also not acceptable.
ATT has now forced me to establish another email address so that I can review ALL of the spam, not just what ATT sends me. Brightmail makes ATT worthwhile, but I will forgo Brightmail and wade through the spam myself in order to assure the receipt of the email I wish to receive. What I receive as email should be MY decision, not a decision made for me by ATT Worldnet.
Jay O'Brien
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: blacklist information?
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 16:06:02 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Electronic Customer Care
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
Jay,
We will make sure your comments are included in our newsgroup reports.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Request for Blacklist details
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 21:49:28 GMT
From: Jay O'Brien <jayobrien@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
I give my att.net email address out regularly. I have been confident that others can send mail to me at my address. Now that ATT has blacklisted MY SON so he cannot send mail to my att.net address, that shows me that I can no longer rely on my address being one that others may expect to receive their mail as sent.
Please provide a link to the current, active, list of blacklisted domains from which I cannot receive mail as a result of the imposition of the blacklist. As I have no control over this action by ATT, and as ATT has a responsibility to send email to me that is sent to my address, I require this blacklist information so that I may determine, in advance, who may and may not send email to me.
Also, I have prepared a compilation of some of the member communication on this issue. I would appreciate that the link to my web page with this compilation be provided to ATT management personnel who are responsible for the imposition of the arbitrary, capricious, draconian blacklist on me.
http://obri.net/att/blacklist.html
Thank you.
Jay O'Brien
Rio Linda, California
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Request for Blacklist details
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 21:52:42 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Electronic Customer Care
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
Jay,
I am not aware of any such list. If you have any questions in regards to blacklisting, then you must address them to our abuse desk.
We will, however, include your comments in our daily report to management.
--
AT&T Electronic Customer Care - Newsgroup Support Agent
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Request for Blacklist details
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 21:59:17 GMT
From: © Igxxxx Rxx <Ixxxxxxx@THEatt.netATTITUDE>
Organization: Yes
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
In an effort to amuse and confuse me, AT&T David Alexander blurted out :
> Jay, I am not aware of any such list. If you have any questions in regards to blacklisting, then you must address them to our abuse desk.
So what you are saying is that there is no list? If there is no list, how the hell are they blacklisting? Does someone sit there and type in a domain to be blocked as they feel?
This is out of control, it's time to stop the lies and give control of out email back before more people leave this company.
--
© ~~Iggy~~
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Request for Blacklist details
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 22:03:52 GMT
From: Jay O'Brien <jayobrien@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
David,
I realize that you are merely telling me what you have been told to tell me, so please don't take what I am about to say personally.
Telling me to address your abuse desk is an abuse of me, your customer. You, being told to tell me to address your abuse desk, is an abuse of you by your employer.
This present issue is another example of ATT WN taking action that causes unintended consequences that could have been anticipated.
If ATT is not going to allow mail to come to me from some domains, I demand to know what those domains are. ATT is not following through on its obligation to me by returning email to my correspondents rather than delivering it to me as contracted.
Jay O'Brien
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Request for Blacklist details
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 22:06:33 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Electronic Customer Care
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
Jay,
Understood. Your message will be forwarded to those that oversee our abuse desk.
--
AT&T Electronic Customer Care - Newsgroup Support Agent
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Why are you blocking email from my son? [091503-102901-32286-54]
Date: 15 Sep 2003 14:29:01 -0000
From: abuse_rbl@att.net
To: jayobrien@att.net (by way of Abuse <abuse@att.net>) (by way of abuse-rbl <abuse_rbl@att.net>)
Dear AT&T Worldnet(r) Service Member,
Thank you for contacting the AT&T Internet Investigations and Security Systems
Team at abuse_rbl@att.net.
A nondelivery report indicates that a mail system has been blocked from sending mail to all att.net addresses. We block systems that have been heavily involved in spam-related activity. The administrator responsible for the offending mail system will need to contact us to resolve the issue. We have sent a notification to the administrator with this information, so no action is needed on your part. We can remove the block once we confirm the spam-related activity has ended.
We regret any inconvenience this block has caused. The ever-increasing volumes of spam requires us to be vigilant in our antispam efforts for the benefit of everyone's e-mail experience.
Regards,
AT&T Internet Investigations and Security Systems Team
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: blacklist lifted?
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 19:56:22 GMT
From: Jay O'Brien <jayobrien@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
Apparently ATT WorldNet has removed some of the blacklist restrictions.
Thanks to the A Word for A Day subscribers for getting ATT's attention.
My son is now able to send me email again, after being blacklisted for five days by ATT.
I suggest that if we are expected to send messages and information to abuse@att.net and abuse_rbl@att.net, that at the very least the abuse department, once the blacklist restriction is removed, should send some kind of resolution description to the person reporting the problem. I was only able to learn of the removal of the restriction on my son's email address by experimentation.
Is there a reason why we cannot be so informed?
Jay O'Brien
This issue is documented at http://obri.net/att/blacklist.html
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: blacklist lifted?
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 20:28:51 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Worldnet
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
Jay,
Good Evening. Thank you for your post.
I am happy to hear that you are once again able to share email with your son.
In reference to your request about being informed when the restriction is lifted, unfortunately I am not familiar with the abuse departments policy and procedures.
However I will forward your comments verbatim to our management team for consideration.
If additional information is obtained in reference to your inquiry I will happy pass it along to you.
Have a good night.
--
AT&T Electronic Customer Care - Newsgroup Support Agent
The correspondence below is presented in date order:
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Blacklist participation should be optional
Date: Sun, 07 Sep 2003 19:11:22 GMT
From: vixxx <nobody@home.invalid>
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
Once again, please ask management to give us the ability to opt out of the blacklist. It's my responsibility to determine what is unwanted email. It's Worldnet's responsibility to deliver the email - all of it, if I so desire.
I do not like being forced to participate in a blacklist where somebody determines for me what is acceptable email, based on the originating domain.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Can't receive friend's e-mail
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 14:04:27 GMT
From: rjxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
A friend of mine says that his e-mails to me keep bouncing back to him. His e-mails to everyone else go through fine, and I am able to receive e-mails from everyone but him. I tried turning off my spam blocker, but he still can't get through. Any ideas. Thanks for any help you can give.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Can't receive friend's e-mail
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 14:10:05 GMT
From: rjxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
The error message he gets is greeting failed. Remote host said: blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. -> Mail connection blocked.
Now ATT suggests that someone trying to send to an ATT subscriber whose mail is blocked by ATT get a Hotmail, MSN, or WN account just to report to abuse_rbl@att.net!
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Can't receive friend's e-mail
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 14:17:53 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Worldnet
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
rjxxxx,
Thank you for the prompt reply.
Please have your friend contact our Abuse folks at abuse_rbl@att.net. If they cannot do so from their email service (because it is being blocked) they may have to use another email service (such as a Hotmail.com, MSN, or even a Worldnet email account) to get through to that desk.
Though an email to Abuse will initially generate an automated response, each legitimate request is being investigated and answered in the order it was received. We ask for your patience as a member of our Abuse team will reply to each request. Depending upon the level of investigation replies may take up to one week.
Worldnet continues to help its users protect themselves against unsolicited email. Email from the isp may have been rejected because the sending domain has been associated with unsolicited email received, and complained about, by Worldnet users.
--
AT&T Electronic Customer Care - Newsgroup Support Agent
How are we doing? Take our survey and let us know: http://surveys.att.net/cgi-bin/miva393/newsgroupsurvey.mv?PSING
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Can't receive from certain people
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 01:46:57 GMT
From: RNxxxx@worldnet.att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
I also couldn't receive an e-mail from someone I used to receive e-mails all the time with the same reason as rjxxxx@att.net I don't understand why there is a change! Please help!! Here is the error: Action: failed Status: 5.5.0 Remote-MTA: DNS; gateway1.worldnet.att.net
Diagnostic-Code: SMTP; 550 195.238.3.144 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. -> Mail connec Last-Attempt-Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2003 00:22:46 +0200 (MEST)
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: A Word A Day (wordsmith.org) is blocked by Worldnet servers
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 21:56:12 GMT
From: texxxxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Worldnet e-mail servers are blocking my subscription to 'A Word A Day'(wordsmith.org).
This problem started on or about 9/8/03.
I am not alone in this... Anu Garg (admin of wordsmith.org) reports that *ALL* att.net subscribers have this problem, and Worldnet is doing absolutely nothing about it.
UNBLOCK this address!!!! You allow all sorts of stupid spam, porn, and useless crap to go through, but you filter out subscribed e-mails!!!
Just another reason for me to switch to Earthlink.
Next stop, I'm going to e-mail Mike Armstrong, CEO of ATT, with a few choice comments about your <expletive deleted> ISP service.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Can't receive email from the UK
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 02:07:39 GMT
From: aaxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
A friend from England (UK) has just recently not been able to send emails to me. The error msg says they are blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net
Any suggestions/clues as to what the problem is?
Thanks for your help.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Wordsmith
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 22:13:32 GMT
From: arxxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
I subscribe to Wordsmith. Why has ATT taken it upon itself to block my ability to receive something I subscribe to, while allowing SPAM from god knows what source to reach my mailbox? Something is wrong with this picture. Please allow access to Wordsmith. Arden xxxx.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Wordsmith
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 22:14:33 GMT
From:AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Electronic Customer Care
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Arden,
They will need to email our Abuse folks at abuse_rbl@att.net. If they cannot do so from their email service (because it is being blocked) they may have to use another email service (such as a Hotmail.com, MSN, or even a Worldnet email account) to get through to that desk.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: A Word A Day (wordsmith.org) is blocked by Worldnet servers
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 23:11:44 GMT
From: tsxxxxx@worldnet.att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Ditto that I am not receiving Word A Day. It is amazing to me that I can receive numerous offers daily to enlarge my penis, but cannot receive this daily opportunity to enlarge my brain. How can this be? Please get this problem with Word A Day fixed ASAP!
FYI, the e-mail originates from wsmith@wordsmith.org
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: A Word A Day (wordsmith.org) is blocked by Worldnet servers
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 23:53:42 GMT
From: texxxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
David -
At present time I count three Worldnet customers (including myself) who are complaining to *YOU* about our blocked subscriptions. WHY ON EARTH aren't you listening to *US*, your paying customers?!?
Why do you have to make the provider of our subscriptions jump through hoops to get you to fix *YOUR* problem???
Worldnet needs a serious reality check. A 20lb sledgehammer might do the trick!
For the record, Anu Garg, the admin of wordsmith.org *HAS* been in contact with Worldnet, and Worldnet has *REFUSED* to do anything to correct this problem.
I quote from an e-mail:
----------------------------------------
We've been hearing from att.net subscribers about non-receipt of A.Word.A.Day mailings. AT&T Worldnet is blocking email from wordsmith.org. You may want to call them and tell/yell them to stop that. We've called/written to no avail.
If you've any questions, please contact us at info@wordsmith.org.
----------------------------------------
The unspoken question here is "What other legitimate e-mails are being filtered out unbeknownst to us by the ham-handed folks at Worldnet?"
Fix this ASAP and stop BSing with our AWAD subscriptions!
Susan xxx
Now ATT suggests that the ATT subscriber contact the abuse desk, not the person sending the blocked mail. How will the ATT subscriber have the rejected mail if it can't be sent to their ATT address?
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: A Word A Day (wordsmith.org) is blocked by Worldnet servers
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 23:58:35 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Electronic Customer Care
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Susan,
Understood. As I indicated in my earlier reply, you must contact our abuse desk. If you have any questions you must address them to that abuse desk as well.
Worldnet continues to help its users protect themselves against unsolicited email. Email from that specific organization may have been rejected because the sending domain has been associated with unsolicited email received, and complained about, by Worldnet users.
--
AT&T Electronic Customer Care - Newsgroup Support Agent
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: A Word A Day (wordsmith.org) is blocked by Worldnet servers
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 00:11:54 GMT
From: Howie <foxxxx@EXCITE.com>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
You know David, it seems to me the least you can do as an FA is to pass on this rising discontent with the more intelligent and literate users of Worldnet to management. I've always found FA's quite informative, prompt and helpful, and they are one of the more important reasons I still stick with Worldnet. I would like to see this informative and helpful behavior here as well, not some stock helpless reply saying it's Wordsmith's responsibility to contact YOU. Worldnet should have a responsibility to it's users, and from what I read here, it doesn't really seem to care much.
Howie xxx
Staten Island, NY
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Blocking expected mail from Word A Day
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 00:29:52 GMT
From: moxxxx@att.net
Organization: AT&T Worldnet
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.misc
I am a subscriber to "A Word A Day". It's a very interesting site that sends a new word everyday along with the definition and its usage.
I have not received mail from them for a couple of weeks and have just been notified that ATT has taken it upon themselves to block all mail arriving from wordsmith.org.
Wordmith has called/written ATT to no avail.
Is anyone else having this same problem?
Who do I contact to change this policy?
Thanks
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Word for a Day Email being Blocked
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 00:38:47 GMT
From: j.lxxxxxx@worldnet.att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
>We've been hearing from att.net subscribers about non-receipt of A.Word.A.Day mailings. AT&T Worldnet is blocking email from wordsmith.org. You may want to call them and tell/yell them to stop that. We've called/written to no avail.
>If you've any questions, please contact us at info@wordsmith.org.
Please stop blocking their emails.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: A Word A Day
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 01:50:54 GMT
From: jpxxxxx@worldnet.att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
For years, I have subscribed to the "A Word A Day" mailing list. As of September 6, I stopped receiving its messages (sent by linguaphile@wordsmith.org). I wrote to the list master, and he tells me that he has received several complaints from AT&T subscribers lately. Please stop blocking AWAD.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: A Word A Day (wordsmith.org) is blocked by Worldnet servers
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 02:24:41 GMT
From: chxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
I too am not receiving my subscription to wordsmith.org and I want it unblocked!
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: where is Word For A Day!!!!
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 02:35:08 GMT
From: wxxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Hey, att.net!!!! Lets get this problem solved!!!!!
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Blocked legitimate mail
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 03:08:54 GMT
From: Dr. D. <dlxxxxx@nospam.yahoo.com>
Newsgroups: worldnet.users.spam-killer
I have subscribed to A.Word.A.Day for a number of years. Each day I receive the word of the day with a definition, origin, examples of usage, and a good quote. I should say "received." Apparently WorldNet has decided that mail from wordsmith.org, the publisher of this daily newsletter, is producing spam and is now blocking mailings from them. How does one petition to have a legitimate group removed from WorldNet's spam filter? Is there a procedure for registering a protest?
TIA
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Word-A-Day
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 03:44:37 GMT
From: haxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
Please do not block word-a-day e-mails. I would prefer to see resources go towards stopping spam than blocking something that's actually useful.
Regards, Ryan
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: A Word.Of.The. Day
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 11:38:32 GMT
From: ebxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
AT&T
Please return word of the day this is educational as opposed to spam.
Thank You,
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Wordsmith
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 11:39:05 GMT
From: rixxxxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.misc
Please see the note given below.
We've been hearing from att.net subscribers about non-receipt of A.Word.A.Day mailings. AT&T Worldnet is blocking email from wordsmith.org. You may want to call them and tell/yell them to stop that. We've called/written to no avail.
If you've any questions, please contact us at info@wordsmith.org.
Thanks!
Wordsmith.org
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: blocked mail
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 13:15:35 GMT
From: Dick <hrxxxxx@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Mail to me from this server is being blocked. I thought it might be something on my end so I tried a new identity. That too is being blocked. After sending several times it gets through. How do I get this changed?
From: Mail Delivery System <Mailer-Daemon@cerberus.uk.clara.net>
Date: Sat Sep 13, 2003 10:48:23 am Europe/London
To: roxxxx@clara.co.uk
Subject: Mail delivery failed: returning message to sender
This message was created automatically by mail delivery software.
A message that you sent could not be delivered to one or more of its recipients. This is a permanent error. The following address(es) failed:
LILxxxxxx@att.net
SMTP error from remote mailer after initial connection:
host gateway1.att.net [204.127.134.23]: 550 195.8.69.103 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. -> Mail connection blocked.
Reason: T
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: AWAD--A Word A Day
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 13:22:44 GMT
From: dxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Please stop blocking this wonderful mailing. It is subscription only, and not SPAM.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Desired mail not coming thru
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 18:43:56 GMT
From: suxxxxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
A.W.A.D. sent by Anu Garg has evidently been put in your "delete--this is spam" category. However, it is NOT spam, and I DO want to receive it. Please allow it to come thru once again.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: AWAD--A Word A Day
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 18:52:43 GMT
From: Dr. D. <dxxxxxx@nospam.yahoo.com>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
The sender's requests to abuse_rb@att.net are blocked as spam. Wordsmith has asked subscribers to notify WorldNet of the situation and ask that you rectify the problem. Lots of people have apparently done just that but I don't see any resolution (other than a recommendation that the sender needs to contact abuse). There must be a way to unblock a sender who is clearly legitimate and not a source of spam, even if it has to be done manually.
TIA
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: not receiving mail from wordsmith.org
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 19:23:08 GMT
From: mxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
I am not receiving A.Word.A.Day from wordsmith.org. I would like to have this restored.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: No mail from wordsmith.org
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 21:09:15 GMT
From: J <j.oxxxxx@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
I am one of the hundreds of people not receiving the A-Word-A-Day messages. I have the spam blocker set to hold suspected spam in the Screened Mail folder. I would like to know these messages aren't there.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: No mail from wordsmith.org
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 21:22:35 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Electronic Customer Care
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
J,
Blocked email is not sent to the screened mail folder, only spam. Email from wordsmith.org is blocked before it reaches you.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: blocked domains
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 23:01:53 GMT
From: jtxxxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Apparently ATT administrators have blocked all mail from the swbell domain to ATT email addresses in order to combat abuse, by a few individuals. How can they justify using such a broad brush to attempt to control abuse? Everyone using swbell is now locked out of sending mail to all att addresses.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: blocked domains
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 23:06:37 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Electronic Customer Care
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
jtxxxxxx@att.net
They will need to email our Abuse folks at abuse_rbl@att.net. If they cannot do so from their email service (because it is being blocked) they may have to use another email service (such as a Hotmail.com, MSN, or even a Worldnet email account) to get through to that desk.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Blocked A.W.A.D.
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 00:36:15 GMT
From: edxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.users.general
How is it that porn gets through yet my word a day is being blocked. Is this a conspiracy agains literacy? None of the other ISP's are blocking A.W.A.D.-only AT&T. Are you willing to chance a mass exodus to an ISP that isn't blocking AWAD?
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Blocked A.W.A.D.
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 00:58:16 GMT
From: Thomas Sxxxxx <slxxxxx@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.users.general
/snip/We are paying AT&T for this service. It shouldn't be necessary to find a "workaround".
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Blocked A.W.A.D.
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 02:15:30 GMT
From: Hank Oxxxxx <hoxxxxxxxx@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.users.general
/snip/
I have spent more time figuring out why some friend or relative did not get my mail, or why I did not get theirs, than I spent deleting spam. The collateral damage has been, in my opinion, much worse than the original problem.
RBLs are a lot like net nannies, lots of bathwater gone, but also too many babies tossed out.
/snip/
... Hank
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: not receiving mail from wordsmith.org
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 13:33:50 GMT
From: Fred xxxxxx <toomuchspam@myinbasket.com>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
I think it was mlxxxx@att.net who said:
> I am not receiving A.Word.A.Day from wordsmith.org. I would like to have this restored.
Make that two of us. And if abuse@att.net is where we are to send complaints about it (Dorothy), there'll be a new OED out before the problem is rectified....
F.T.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Wanted e-mails being rejected by server
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 16:33:56 GMT
From: e.xxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Fine. Tell me how to do this. No one has ever bothered to even tell me for sure if this IS why e-mails to me from nemr.net are being rejected by the AT&T server, much less who has to do what about it.
Personally, I fail to see how blocking a little ISP that serves a few hundred farmers in rural Missouri is going to stop a barrage of spam from all over the world....unless they intend to block all the ISP's except their own? I think I'll go back to using the telephone.
This is the sort of thing I expected from AOL, not the company I worked for for over 30 years.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Blocked A.W.A.D.
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 17:29:01 GMT
From: Thomas Sxxxxxxxx <slxxxxxxxxx@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.users.general
My last comment as this could go on forever.
I dislike spam as much as anyone. However, the burden of discarding spam should be on the end user. The ISPs are no different than the post office which delivers everything. I, as the recipient of that mail, trash everything I don't want. I pay AT&T to handle my mail, newsgroup and internet activity, not monitor and interfere in these activities in some tangential way. That's it. The ISPs might be better off making anti-spam software available to their users and letting the users do their own thing, if they want to. The "Nanny State" approach currently being used by AT&T, AOL and others doesn't work and never will. It just aggravates a portion, big or small, of their customer bases, resulting in loss of credibility and accusations of failing to provide adequate customer service. "Unintended consequences", I guess.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Who to contact to get a domain unblocked?
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 17:36:00 GMT
From: jj <isxxxxx@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
I want AT&T WorldNet to stop blocking messages from wordsmith.org. In response to my message to abuse_rbl@att.net (see message below), I was told this address is only for network admin inquiries and that all other blocking or spam related issues should be sent to abuse@att.net. The response from this address included the statement: "In the future, forward any complaints you have with the original E-mail you received." Well, how do I forward the original E-mail when my complaint is about messages I'm not receiving? Apparently, they will only deal with the receipt of unwanted messages and not the non-receipt of wanted messages.
I feel that we are being given the run-around on this issue and that AT&T WorldNet has no place for customers to go to get this problem resolved.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Blocked A.W.A.D.
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 18:36:10 GMT
From: Laura <noxxxxxxx@home.invalid>
Organization: Yes
Newsgroups: worldnet.users.general
While I agree that it is about time that WN increase their spam fighting activities, I do not agree with them using block lists. Especially if we do not know what list they are using. Is it one that they created or is it a well known list that has crediablitiy? Better yet, use the blocklist to improve Brightmail and shove the garbage into the screened folder. Why should users have to send a request to the abuse desk to resolve this issue?
</rant off>
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: To users not getting AWAD
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 19:11:04 GMT
From: incognito <xxxxxxxxx@fakeisp.com>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Like many of you, I am unhappy about the blocking of messages from wordsmith.org. While reading posts on worldnet.suggestions about using AT&T webmail, I learned that, because the "report as spam" and "delete" buttons are so close together, one can inadvertently click the wrong button. Normally, I use Outlet Express to read my email so I had not noticed this. But because of a problem with my computer, I had to go to the library and use AT&T webmail to get my email for several days. If I clicked the wrong button and inadvertently reported AWAD as spam, I can't tell you how sorry I am.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: To users not getting AWAD
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 19:37:52 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Electronic Customer Care
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Hi,
That is the email screener and per the FAQ the address to report something is not spam is: this-is-not-spam@worldnet.att.net
Dorothy
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: A Word A Day (wordsmith.org) is blocked by Worldnet servers
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 20:33:25 GMT
From: zixxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
I recently stopped receiving daily emails from wordsmith.org. The website contacted me and said that ATT is blocking emails from this site. I'd like to know why you are doing this? And when are you going to stop blocking the website, one that I am signed up to receive. I await your answer.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: A Word A Day (wordsmith.org) is blocked by Worldnet servers
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 20:36:31 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Electronic Customer Care
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
zixxxx@att.net
As previously posted, they will need to email our Abuse folks at abuse_rbl@att.net. If they cannot do so from their email service (because it is being blocked) they may have to use another email service (such as a Hotmail.com, MSN, or even a Worldnet email account) to get through to that desk.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: To users not getting AWAD
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 20:56:48 GMT
From: incognito <xxxxxxxxx@fakeisp.com>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
My message was meant to alert other users to the fact that one can inadvertently report a message as spam which may lead to the domain being blocked. I am confused by your response. Is there is a FAQ which explains how to report something that is not spam to this-is-not-spam@worldnet.att.net when I have not received that something because it has been blocked? If so, please tell me how to find it. Thanks.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: To users not getting AWAD
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 21:03:05 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Electronic Customer Care
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
incognito,
Understood. That is not possible unless you have received an email from them.
If you need to report blocked email then you should send information to our abuse desk for this particular issue.
abuse_rbl@att.net
--
AT&T Electronic Customer Care - Newsgroup Support Agent
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: To users not getting AWAD
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 21:21:59 GMT
From: incognito <xxxxxxxxx@fakeisp.com>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
I did report the blocked email problem to abuse_rbl@att.net and they responded with a canned response telling me this address is intended for network admin inquiries and that anyone else should send an email to abuse@att.net. When I did, the canned response told me to include the original email with my complaint which, of course, I can't do because my complaint is about not receiving messages I want. Neither of these responses gives me any confidence they will deal with the problem. So be it.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Blocked A.W.A.D.
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 21:28:18 GMT
From: © Igxxxxxxxx <xxxxxxx@THEatt.netATTITUDE>
Organization: Yes
Newsgroups: worldnet.users.general
In an effort to amuse and confuse me, Laura blurted out :
> Why should users have to send a request to the abuse desk to resolve this issue? </rant off>
They shouldn't, but then again AT&T is constantly doing everything they can to drive customers away these days...
--
© ~~Iggy~~
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Blocklisting/Blacklisting/Censorship
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 00:40:33 GMT
From: Laura <noxxxxxx@home.invalid>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.misc
Please add me to the list of folks that feel that your use of a blocklisting is wrong. If you want to use the list then at least have it incorporated into the Brightmail process so that the messages land in the screened mail folder and not bounced back to the sender.
I have a question--if WN is paying Brightmail money for their filtering system then why do they feel that they must add to this process? Maybe it is time that WN push the Brightmail folks into uping the level of spam filtering that they are providing. I know that it has always been fairly conservative. Maybe it is time that it be made stricter. Then the need for blocklisting would not be needed. We've asked for Brightmail to start filtering certain known IP addresses and Domains in the past. Why can't that be done without instituting a blocklisting system and make everyone happy.
Laura
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Blocklisting/Blacklisting/Censorship
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 01:31:08 GMT
From: Nexxxx <nxxxxxxx@invalid.hotmail.com>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.misc
/snip/
"Hear! Hear!" Please add my concurrence and additional comments in your management report.
I have chosen to not use BrightMail for the very reason that it caused me to miss some legitimate emails. And now you are blocking email without even giving your customers the opportunity to know what is being filtered out! I don't want to start missing issues of any of the several definitely "non-spam" newsletters I subscribe to because of your blacklisting practices. I want control over what enters my mailbox. I can handle what I don't want on a case-by-case basis through the excellent filtering capabilities of my email client (Calypso 3.3).
Additionally, until you can provide an "opt-in/opt-out" feature to your blacklisting, Please Turn It Off!
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Blocklisting/Blacklisting/Censorship
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 01:51:57 GMT
From: Hank Oxxxxx <hoxxxxxx@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.misc
Seconded with a STRONG suggestion that Worldnet cease the use of the RBL until they can provide:
1. Enable / Disable per account.
2. Access to the list.
We have used Worldnet for many years.
We have been very pleased with the service and particularly the support via the newsgroups.
The use of an unknown RBL WILL be a deal killer for us. The use of a known and visible RBL MAY not cause us to leave.
--
... Hank
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Blocklisting/Blacklisting/Censorship
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 03:22:36 GMT
From: K. Kxxxx<kkxxxx@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.misc
Please add me to this vote also. I check my screened mail folder regularly. I would like to find ALL messages that were sent to me but not put in my inbox in screened mail.
My address is listed on web pages so that perfect strangers who want to join one of the music groups I represent can find me. If one of these messages gets blocked, the musician has no other way to reach me to even let me know that blocking is going on. Screened mail would give me a chance to know what is happening.
Thanks, KK
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Stop using an email blacklist
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 12:49:37 GMT
From: vixxx <nobody@home.invalid>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
The email blacklisting that is going on at Worldnet smacks of "We're from the government and we're here to help you."
And I'm sure that many folks blindly accept that kind of help. But I'm one of the minority that feels all spam fighting tools need to be under the control of the end user. I'm the only one that REALLY knows what is spam. Of course, everybody has their own definition of spam, as they should. And I'm pretty sure that none of those definitions are the exactly the same as what Worldnet has decided are not worthy of delivery to the addressee.
Until all spam tools are optional or under the control of the end user, Worldnet is doing its members a disservice, IMO. This whole blacklist thing resembles "tit for tat". Worldnet email is being blocked by other ISPs, so they think it's okay to use a blacklist. Well, it's not!!
As a paying member of Worldnet and an end user of your email service, It is not okay for Worldnet to use a blacklist and bounce email that is addressed to me. If email is addressed to me, I expect Worldnet to exert due diligence to deliver that email to me - not summarily return it to the sender without my knowledge, nor approval.
I did not give my consent for you to bounce email that you think is spam. And I don't use Brightmail, nor the anti-virus filters, because I don't think anybody but me knows what I consider unwanted email.
Let the abuse department get on with one of their most important tasks - killing the accounts of folks that use Worldnet to originate/send/host spam.
Worldnet needs to discontinue using a proprietary/secret blacklist until participation in the blacklist is an option, like Brightmail or the anti-virus filters. One of Worldnet's primary responsibilities to its members should be to deliver all email to the intended recipients, not censor what is or is not delivered, based on some arbitrary/secret/proprietary criteria.
So what's the future to be? When the Christmas email crunch hits, will the blacklist be used to limit traffic to whatever the servers can handle?
Let me make my wishes clear, deliver any and all email addressed to me.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: domain blocked again
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 13:31:26 GMT
From: jtxxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
ATT has blocked all mail from swbell.net again. This is an intolerable situation. Anyone who depends on receiving legitimate mail at their ATT address may not receive it and will never know it.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: domain blocked again
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 14:10:22 GMT
From: jtxxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
On 9/13/03 the swbell.net doamin was blocked by ATT; Yesterday, 9/14/03, the swbell.net domain was not blocked; today it is blocked again. What gives?
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Please Unblock A Word A Day
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 14:51:42 GMT
From: rixxxxx@worldnet.att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Please allow A.Word.A.Day mailings to go through to Worldnet customers. As others on your list have already said, you started blocking daily messages sent by wsmith@wordsmith.org. I have been getting and reading those message each day for years. This is not spam, but rather a list that people can freely sign up for or unsubscribe.
Thanks for your help.
Ralph xxxxx
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: wordsmith.org
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 16:09:26 GMT
From: prxxxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Please remove the block from my receiving e-mail from the following source:
wordsmith.org
Thanks.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: wordsmith.org
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 16:24:49 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Worldnet
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
prxxxxxxx,
Please disregard my previous message.
At the present time our development team is aware of the situation and making every effort to have it addressed in a timely manner.
--
AT&T Electronic Customer Care - Newsgroup Support Agent
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Request for Blacklist details
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 16:51:11 GMT
From: lxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
A friend has just informed me that he has been blacklisted by AT&T. I know he is not guilty of spamming people. This has been going on for about a week. Is this a new policy for AT&T?
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Blacklisted E-Mail
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 21:16:33 GMT
From: coxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Apparently last week a new domain was added to your Blacklist. The domain name is chkd.com. I am sure you must have done a through investigation. chkd.com happens to be the Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughers in Norfolk, VA.
I do a significant amount of work with a group of doctors at that hospital. Our primary means of communication is e-mail.
For AT&T to think they have the right to determine who I do business with is absolutely absurd.
The only reply I expect from you is the confirmation you have removed chkd.com from you blacklist.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Blacklisted E-Mail
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 21:20:41 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Electronic Customer Care
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
coxxxx@att.net
chkd.com will need to email our Abuse folks at abuse_rbl@att.net. If they cannot do so from their email service (because it is being blocked) they may have to use another email service (such as a Hotmail.com, MSN, or even a Worldnet email account) to get through to that desk.
Although their email will initially generate an automated response, each legitimate request is being investigated and answered in the order it was received. We ask for your patience as a member of our Abuse team will reply to your request.
If you have any further question you will need to address them to our abuse desk at their regular email address abuse@att.net as we in the newsgroups do not have access to any information in regards to blocked/blacklisted domains.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Blocking expected mail from Word A Day
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 21:36:35 GMT
From: Dorothy Pxxxxxx <doxxxxxxxx@worldnet.att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.misc
I also subscribe to A.Word.A.Day and have been informed by them that AT&T is blocking their service. I sent two e-mails to abuse@att.net asking them to remove the block immediately and received this reply to both of them:
"From: please_do_not_reply@att.net Save Address
To: doxxxxxx@worldnet.att.net
Subject: Re: Fw: Non-receipt of A.Word.A.Day [091503-165706-32577-00]
Date: 15 Sep 2003 20:57:06 -0000 [View Source]
Thank you for contacting the AT&T Internet Investigations and Security Services Team at abuse_rbl@att.net.
This address is intended for network admin inquiries regarding blocked email intended for delivery to att.net. If you are a network admin, please
specify that in your inquiry. Please be sure to include the IP of your SMTP mailserver in your inquiry. For all other blocking or spam related issues, please email: abuse@att.net
Regards,
AT&T IISS Team"
Boy, am I confused! I did send both e-mails to abuse@att.net. I did not know of the other address. I want my newsletter back. What possible reason can they have for this? It seems they are being deliberately obfuscatory.
Please tell the AT&T IISS Team, whatever or whatever they are, to stop blocking this excellent site's newsletter.
Thanks,
Dorothy
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Blocking expected mail from Word A Day
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 21:44:50 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Electronic Customer Care
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.misc
Dorothy,
Our abuse desk is aware of the issue with wordsmith.org and are making every effort to have it addressed in a timely manner.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: a word a day
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 23:49:20 GMT
From: lbxxxxx@worldnet.att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
I have had AWAD for a couple of years. I really miss it now.Please stop blocking it. I using in the classes I teach too.What do we need to do to "unblock" A Word A Day?? Thanks
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: blocked email
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2003 00:54:24 GMT
From: gdxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
i am a subscriber to a linquistics service that sends new words and their meaning daily. the email is; linguaphile@wordsmith.org. it is suddenly being blocked. how can i "unblock it"?
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: AWAD
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2003 01:14:25 GMT
From: bdxxxxx@worldnet.att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.suggestions
Why is my subscription to AWAD not being allowed to come through email? Ben Roberts
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: AWAD
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2003 02:02:50 GMT
From: esxxxxx@worldnet.att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.web-server
I have stopped receiving A word A Day from wordsmith.org.
I understand you (worldnet.att.net) are blocking their e-mails?!!!!!!!!
What's going on? I've been receiving AWAD for over 7 years and I have no inention to stop now.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: blacklisted
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2003 14:09:15 GMT
From: buxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.web-server
How do I get an e=mail address off the 'blacklist' - 3 days it came thry fine - now msg says it is 'blacklisted'...what do I do now?
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Not Receiving Mail from Certain Parties
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2003 14:54:43 GMT
From: David D. xxxxx <ez-xxxxxx@att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.misc
I don't know whether this is the appropriate newsgroup. If not, please point me in the right direction.
I have a couple of regular correspondents whose mail is not getting through to me and is being returned. Thus far, I have been unable to find out what kind of error messages they are receiving...
Thinking that perhaps the Spam Blocker might have decided that those parties were spammers and deleting their mail, over the weekend I reset the settings for the Spam Blocker to hold suspected Spam in a Screened Mail Folder at the Message Center.
Though I have received quite a number of Spam messages that have slipped through the filter since then, my screened mail folder continues to be empty...
I attempted to address this issue through help-chat and gave up in frustration.
Does anybody know why I can continue to receive Spam at my Inbox while the Blocker which is ON does not appear to catch any of it and put it in the screened mail folder?
Thanks,
David
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Blocking expected mail from Word A Day
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2003 15:00:59 GMT
From: Dorothy Pxxxxxx <doxxxxxxxx@worldnet.att.net>
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.misc
I received my newsletter this morning, not a moment too soon as I was suffering severe deprivation. Please thank the abuse desk and the IISS team for coming to their senses. Thanks to you also for your help.
Dorothy
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: blacklisted mail
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 14:34:06 GMT
From: jtxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Today I can send email from my swbell address to my ATT adress, but cannot send from swbell address to other ATT adresses --- blacklisted. This is still unacceptable!
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: blacklisted mail
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 14:45:34 GMT
From: jtxxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Now, 20 minutes later, email from my swbell account to my ATT account is blacklisted. Can no longer send mail to any ATT account from swbell. I have sent copy of the bounced mail to abuse_rbl@att.net numerous times now, but nothing is done about it. I'm tired of the run-around.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: blacklisted email address
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 22:19:10 GMT
From: kixx-xxxxx@att.net
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
Having read some other postings on this subject I glad to see I'm not alone but appalled that worldnet has wasted several other people's time as well as mine. I sent an email to your tech support and ghot a usless automated response that then directed me to this forum. To whatever Worldnet employee may be reading this please remove wsxxxxxxx.org from your blacklist. This is the historic Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia and is my wife's place of employment. Since your recent additions to your blacklist I can no longer receive mail from her. Please address this problem immediately. Below is the error msg she received. If for some reason I am mistaken, and this is not a problem originating at worldnet, could you please direct me as to how I might fix it. Thank you.
The original message was received at Tue, 16 Sep 2003 16:03:11 -0400
from dcanet-gw.wsxxxxx.org [2--.---.---.26]
----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors ----- <kixx-xxxxx@att.net>
(reason: 550 207.245.82.76 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. -> Mail connection blocked. Reason: )
----- Transcript of session follows -----
.. while talking to gateway1.att.net.: <<< 550 207.245.82.76 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. ->
Mail connection blocked. Reason: .. while talking to gateway2.att.net.: >>>QUIT
<<< 550 207.245.82.76 blocked by blacklist.mail.ops.worldnet.att.net. ->
Mail connection blocked. Reason: 554 5.0.0 Service unavailable
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: blacklisted email address
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 22:42:38 GMT
From: AT&T Staff (name deleted for this web page)
Organization: AT&T Worldnet
Newsgroups: worldnet.help.service-issues.mail-server
kxx-xxxxx,
Good evening and thank you for your post. I am sorry to hear that you are unable to receive email from wstonline.org. At this time the server administrators of wstonline.org will need to contact Worldnet to have this issue cared for.
Thank you
--
AT&T Electronic Customer Care - Newsgroup Support Agent
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Blocked A.W.A.D.
Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2003 12:04:03 GMT
From: vixxx <nobody@home.invalid>
Newsgroups: worldnet.users.general
On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 22:38:46 GMT, daxxxx <daxxx@syxxxxxxxx.xx> wrote:
vixxx,
Then, simply, disable the spam controls offered by AT&T
No one says you HAVE to use it, you can turn it off if you so desire,
thereby satisfying your concern over control.
I'd love to turn off the blacklist - have asked for that option since its inception. Yet Worldnet continues force everyone to participate in their blacklist, which is proprietary and therefore secret. There's no way to know you didn't get an email addressed to you, until somebody calls on the phone.
As for the other optional stuff (Brightmail and the anti-virus filters), have already turned those off. I have those functions locally and don't need to waste server time duplicating them.
I pay good money every month for Worldnet to deliver email addressed to me and it really sticks in my craw that they are making a conscious effort to bounce email, instead of deliver it. Especially when the bounces are determined by something as blunt and unintelligent as a blacklist.
And while I'm at it - I'd think that the abuse department would be better off using their resources to clean up net abuse originating from Worldnet, rather than whiz away their time trying to coerce other ISPs to clean up spammers. Since Worldnet is being blacklisted by other ISPs, it's obvious (to me, anyway) that there are spammers using Worldnet to create/send/host spam activities. The abuse department really needs to do a better job of cleaning up their own house.
And if that isn't enough to keep them busy (although, I suspect they are overworked and underappreciated), they need to start having some dialogue with the Worldnet members that are sending out these constant streams of echo requests and other probes that indicate the users computer has been compromised. If those folks still haven't recovered from Msblast, they need help - and the abuse department is the only one that can cross reference an IP with an email address. The background noise on the web has gotten to be louder than a dull roar and could be reduced, if abuse took the time to contact folks, tell them they're making an unnecessary problem and how to make things right. Last I saw, trying to infect other computers with a virus/worm is a TOSable offence - yet abuse continues to turn a deaf ear on the aftermath of Msblast.
/end/
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