Email Relaying Policy to Reduce Spam

For many years, DONet has allowed certain customers to use our mail servers for their outgoing mail, whether or not they were connected to our network or using authentication. This was provided as a convenience to our customers to simplify their mail configuration. Unfortunately, anyone claiming to be one of these customers is able to use this service — including spammers. In order to be a good Internet citizen and to prevent our servers from being abused by spammers fraudulently posing as our customers, DONet must discontinue this method of allowing mail relaying.

This change should not affect most customers. If you believe it has affected you, please ensure the following:

  • You are using smtp.donet.com for your outgoing mail server.
  • You have SMTP authentication enabled AND/OR your Internet access is through us (via DONet dial-up, DSL, T-1, etc.)

Again, most customers’ settings will not need to be changed and their outgoing mail will continue to function properly. You do not need to do anything unless you start experiencing difficulty sending outgoing mail.

If you have any questions about this or need help checking your mail settings, please contact our support department.