Customer Care

FAQs Port 25 Blocking

All e-mail sent via the Internet is routed through the port 25, the channel used for communication between an e-mail client and an e-mail server.

At this point, only Allstream Business Dial-up customers will be impacted.

Customers who use Allstream Email servers to send mail, will not be impacted. However Allstream customers who send their email through non-Allstream email servers will find their mail blocked.

If you are currently using a third party email client such as Outlook, you can check your setup to see if this will affect you. If your SMTP server settings are set up to use port 25, we recommend changing them to use port 587. This is the default port for authenticated email. You may need to contact your email provider for information on connecting to their email server via port 587.

The growth of email spam globally has had a significant impact on all email users. This nuisance wastes time and resources. All stream is aware of this issue and is taking steps to reduce this irritant.

1. Blocking this port helps prevent virus-infected computers from sending spam.
2. Port 25 is configured so that a username and password is not required. This allows certain viruses to travel freel y and infect other computers, generating even more spam.
3. Open relays often send out from port 25.

a. Which mail server should I be using? You should be using outbox.allstream.net. If you notice any other server, please change it to outbox.allstream.net

How can I check my 3rd party email client settings?
* locate your email client in the list below:

a. Outlook Express
Open Outlook Express.
From the Outlook Express Tools menu, click Accounts
Click the Mail tab
Select your email account
In the Properties dialog box, click the Servers tab
Click the Advanced tab
View the Outgoing mail (SMTP) Port

b. Outlook 2002
Open Outlook 2000
Click the Tools menu and then click Accounts
Select your email account
Click Properties
In the Properties dialog box, click the Servers tab
Click the Advanced tab
View the Outgoing mail (SMTP) Port

c. Outlook 2002/03
Open Outlook 2002/03
On the Tools menu, click E-mail Accounts
Click View or change existing e-mail accounts
Select your email account
Click Change
Click More Settings
Click the Advanced tab
View the Outgoing mail (SMTP) Port

d. Entourage
Open Entourage
On the Tools menu, click Accounts.
Select your email account
Click Edit
On the Account Settings tab, in the Sending Mail section, click “Click here for advanced sending options.”
View the Outgoing mail (SMTP) Port

e. Eudora
Open Eudora
Open Eudora
Scroll down in the navigation pane and click Ports.
View the Outgoing mail (SMTP) Port

f. Thunderbird
Open Thunderbird
Go to Tools -> Account Settings
Select Outgoing Server (SMTP) on the left pane of the account settings dialog
Select the existing SMTP server and click Edit
View the Outgoing mail (SMTP) Port

For more information please contact us using one of the following methods:

• Complete our Information Request form
• Contact your Sales Representative
• Call us at 1 888 811-6301