Comments on: Qwest Blocking Email on Port 25

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:51:12 +0000

After using the port 587 work-around for a short time (I mentioned above that had worked for me), that stopped functioning. A few weeks back, I ended up having to call Qwest tech support and get them to remove the port 25 filtering on my account. Has worked without issues since then. Hopefully this will not change once CenturyLink is running the show…

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:14:44 +0000

…In looking over your account I have decided to remove port 25 filtering…

interesting that they’d say this with no explanation…

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:58:43 +0000

This article pops up at the top of my Google search and helped me figure out how to work around the port blocking by Qwest (I ended up using Google SMTP info). Thanks!

And I also wanted to pass along an email I received back from Qwest today that provides more info about the why (I have static IP addresses). It also shows a quick email to Qwest tech support solved the problem.

–

Thank you for contacting Qwest, soon to be CenturyLink.

In order to improve network security, reduce the spread of email-borne
viruses and reduce the overall volume of spam on the Internet, Qwest enables
‘port 25 filtering’ on Qwest High-Speed Internet Services using dynamic IP
addresses.

Internet email (SMTP) is routed over port 25. It is the port used for
communication between email servers (what the ISP has) and email clients
(what you have on your desktop). Most common email viruses are sent using
port 25 to infect your computer. So, filtering out traffic on port 25 helps
to protect your computer(s) from being used by a virus (or other malware) to
send or relay spam (unsolicited email). Port 25 filtering also prevents your
computer(s) on Qwest network from connecting to servers outside the network
via port 25. It has become a recognized industry best practice on the
Internet for service providers like Qwest to filter traffic on port 25.

Qwest recommends that port 25 filtering remains enabled unless you are
running your own email server or have Qwest static IP addresses.

In looking over your account I have decided to remove port 25 filtering. For
more information please visit http://www.Qwest.com/internethelp/email.html
and see the section on Port 25 Filtering FAQs.

I hope this helps. If not or if you have any further questions that we can
be of help with, please feel free to reply back to us, chat with an online
agent by going to http://www.qwhelp.com and clicking on the ‘Need Help – Click for
Online Agent’ or to contact our Technical Support @ 1-800-247-7285 for
support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 15:52:47 +0000

Thanks for posting the alternate port (587) solution. Worked perfectly for me!

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:34:15 +0000

They UNblocked you? Nice…

By: Case

Case — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:58:30 +0000

Port 25 blocking is a big problem for anyone who travels – at airports, coffee shops, hotels, etc. we’re away from our home networks and often face other kinds of firewall blocks. Gmail is not the answer if you’re trying to preserve your branding, etc. And 587 can be spotty at some ISPs. I found a good discussion of how to get around these blocks at an oddly-named blog at http://bit.ly/G46Pm. It deals with some ISPs other than Qwest, but the issues are the same.

By: Roger

Roger — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 06:46:59 +0000

I emailed Qwest and told them port 25 was blocked and they happily fixed it. I was impressed.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 05:15:48 +0000

and where are you located?

By: Pam

Pam — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:56:09 +0000

I’m stuck too. Tried changing port to 587, but no luck. Jeeze. Would appreciate any alternatives that allow me to send my messages from Outlook for PC and Mac; not from webmail. Webmail so clunky/bad.

By: Roger

Roger — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 05:21:02 +0000

Thanks
Trying to send email with my own domain. Worked fine up until now. Still can’t figure it out. Changed port to 587 still not working. Strange that port 587 works in Portland but not baker City.