Recently I have noticed a lot of ISPs using reverse dns
lookups to block spammers.

I know I can perform a reverse lookup in exchange
manager. But doesn't this just identify if it resolved
correctly or not? How do I set up my exchange server to
REJECT emails that don't resolve correctly.

I know there may be some legitimate email that could be
affected but it looks like it would block a ton of spam
from actually getting to my server.

I already block domains using exchange manager and the
rest with GFI MailEssentials. They both work great.
However, I would prefer to reject the emails that don't
resolve, too.

Just another weapon in my war with those spam bastards.

Re: Reject spam using Reverse Lookup by Venger

Venger
Thu Sep 18 16:30:55 CDT 2003

Don't do this.

Too many small businesses cannot get proper reverse IP entries, or are
hosted on a multi-host box. You'll end up rejecting a ton of mail you want.

Install a mail gateway (software) like MDaemon on your SBS server. It will
use RBL and SpamAssassin, and DRASTICALLY reduce your inbound mail garbage.
I use it on numerous Exchange servers (Exchange's SMTP SUCKS) and get the
outstanding mail filtering of MDaemon with the groupware they are used to in
Exchange.

Venger

"darrin" <none@none.com> wrote in message
news:06eb01c37e27$401a5e00$a101280a@phx.gbl...
> Recently I have noticed a lot of ISPs using reverse dns
> lookups to block spammers.
>
> I know I can perform a reverse lookup in exchange
> manager. But doesn't this just identify if it resolved
> correctly or not? How do I set up my exchange server to
> REJECT emails that don't resolve correctly.
>
> I know there may be some legitimate email that could be
> affected but it looks like it would block a ton of spam
> from actually getting to my server.
>
> I already block domains using exchange manager and the
> rest with GFI MailEssentials. They both work great.
> However, I would prefer to reject the emails that don't
> resolve, too.
>
> Just another weapon in my war with those spam bastards.



Re: Reject spam using Reverse Lookup by Mariette

Mariette
Thu Sep 18 16:42:31 CDT 2003

In news:06eb01c37e27$401a5e00$a101280a@phx.gbl,
darrin <none@none.com> wrote:

> Recently I have noticed a lot of ISPs using reverse dns
> lookups to block spammers.

This is not a good idea at all. Just an example to explain this. I own
several domains but only have one static IP address from my ISP and I cannot
get more or I have to choose Business DSL which is very expensive here. With
one IP address and multiple mail domains I can only have one PTR record for
one domain; I would need more static IP addresses and create for each domain
a PTR record to be able to serve a reverse lookup.

> I know I can perform a reverse lookup in exchange
> manager. But doesn't this just identify if it resolved
> correctly or not? How do I set up my exchange server to
> REJECT emails that don't resolve correctly.

How to Use Reverse DNS Lookup
-----------------------------
If you are receiving messages directly from other domains on the Internet,
you can configure your SMTP virtual server to perform a reverse DNS lookup
on the incoming e-mail messages. This configuration makes sure that the
sending e-mail messages server's IP address (and its fully qualified domain
name) matches the message sender's domain name. Reverse lookup helps to
prevent address spoofing. However, reverse lookup adds an additional load on
your Exchange Server computer. See the "Troubleshooting" section for more
information. This technique also requires that your Exchange Server computer
can contact the reverse lookup zones for the sending domain.

NOTE: If you only configuring your SMTP virtual server to perform DNS
reverse lookup, you do not block the non-matching domainname/ipaddress
messages. The DNS reverse lookup will resolve the DNS name from the IP
address and will replace the DNS name in the header with the name that
resulted from the DNS reverse lookup.

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Microsoft Exchange, and then
click System Manager.
2. In the left pane of Exchange System Manager, double-click Servers, and
then expand the Exchange Server computer that you want to configure.
3. Expand Protocols, and then expand SMTP.
4. Right-click Default SMTP Virtual Server, and then click Properties.
5. To configure reverse DNS lookup on incoming messages, click the Delivery
tab.
6. Click the Advanced button, and then click the Perform reverse DNS lookup
on incoming messages check box.
7. Click OK, and then click OK.

So, now you turned on reverse DNS lookup but it does not do anything because
the header is replaced with the result of the lookup. You need to write an
OnArrival sink to effectively delete the mail before it enters the Exchange
Store. More information on OnArrival event sinks van be found on MSDN. A
good example of an OnArrival sink which deletes all mail with the word virus
in it:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;313404

I have written several event sinks which deletes all Blaster and Sobig mails
even before it hits the Exchange Store (very secure and safe)

> I already block domains using exchange manager and the
> rest with GFI MailEssentials. They both work great.
> However, I would prefer to reject the emails that don't
> resolve, too.

GFI MailEssentials does practically everything you need. The only drawback
is that you define only one DNSBL. ORF (www.vamsoft.com) is more flexible
and offers better features IMHO. ORF can do reverse DNS lookup and block the
mail.

--
Mariette Knap [SBS MVP]
www.smallbizserver.net



Re: Reject spam using Reverse Lookup by Pat

Pat
Thu Sep 18 17:18:08 CDT 2003

Does Exchange 03 improve upon this (spam blocking)? I thought I read that
it does.


"Mariette Knap [SBS MVP]" <mariette@smallbizserver.net> wrote in message
news:eZ3RC3ifDHA.2356@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> In news:06eb01c37e27$401a5e00$a101280a@phx.gbl,
> darrin <none@none.com> wrote:
>
> > Recently I have noticed a lot of ISPs using reverse dns
> > lookups to block spammers.
>
> This is not a good idea at all. Just an example to explain this. I own
> several domains but only have one static IP address from my ISP and I
cannot
> get more or I have to choose Business DSL which is very expensive here.
With
> one IP address and multiple mail domains I can only have one PTR record
for
> one domain; I would need more static IP addresses and create for each
domain
> a PTR record to be able to serve a reverse lookup.
>
> > I know I can perform a reverse lookup in exchange
> > manager. But doesn't this just identify if it resolved
> > correctly or not? How do I set up my exchange server to
> > REJECT emails that don't resolve correctly.
>
> How to Use Reverse DNS Lookup
> -----------------------------
> If you are receiving messages directly from other domains on the Internet,
> you can configure your SMTP virtual server to perform a reverse DNS lookup
> on the incoming e-mail messages. This configuration makes sure that the
> sending e-mail messages server's IP address (and its fully qualified
domain
> name) matches the message sender's domain name. Reverse lookup helps to
> prevent address spoofing. However, reverse lookup adds an additional load
on
> your Exchange Server computer. See the "Troubleshooting" section for more
> information. This technique also requires that your Exchange Server
computer
> can contact the reverse lookup zones for the sending domain.
>
> NOTE: If you only configuring your SMTP virtual server to perform DNS
> reverse lookup, you do not block the non-matching domainname/ipaddress
> messages. The DNS reverse lookup will resolve the DNS name from the IP
> address and will replace the DNS name in the header with the name that
> resulted from the DNS reverse lookup.
>
> 1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Microsoft Exchange, and then
> click System Manager.
> 2. In the left pane of Exchange System Manager, double-click Servers, and
> then expand the Exchange Server computer that you want to configure.
> 3. Expand Protocols, and then expand SMTP.
> 4. Right-click Default SMTP Virtual Server, and then click Properties.
> 5. To configure reverse DNS lookup on incoming messages, click the
Delivery
> tab.
> 6. Click the Advanced button, and then click the Perform reverse DNS
lookup
> on incoming messages check box.
> 7. Click OK, and then click OK.
>
> So, now you turned on reverse DNS lookup but it does not do anything
because
> the header is replaced with the result of the lookup. You need to write an
> OnArrival sink to effectively delete the mail before it enters the
Exchange
> Store. More information on OnArrival event sinks van be found on MSDN. A
> good example of an OnArrival sink which deletes all mail with the word
virus
> in it:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;313404
>
> I have written several event sinks which deletes all Blaster and Sobig
mails
> even before it hits the Exchange Store (very secure and safe)
>
> > I already block domains using exchange manager and the
> > rest with GFI MailEssentials. They both work great.
> > However, I would prefer to reject the emails that don't
> > resolve, too.
>
> GFI MailEssentials does practically everything you need. The only drawback
> is that you define only one DNSBL. ORF (www.vamsoft.com) is more flexible
> and offers better features IMHO. ORF can do reverse DNS lookup and block
the
> mail.
>
> --
> Mariette Knap [SBS MVP]
> www.smallbizserver.net
>
>



Re: Reject spam using Reverse Lookup by Dennis

Dennis
Fri Sep 19 01:47:11 CDT 2003

darrin wrote:
> I already block domains using exchange manager and the
> rest with GFI MailEssentials. They both work great.
> However, I would prefer to reject the emails that don't
> resolve, too.
>


I was evaluating GFI MailEssentials 9 the other day and noticed a feature
that might be the one you are looking for. Under Header checking there is a
check box to perform a DNS lookup on the MIME FROM:.

This is from the GFI manual:

"'Verify if sender domain is valid' This feature will do a DNS lookup on the
domain specified in the MIME from field and verify it[sic] the domain is
valid. If the domain is not valid it's a sure sign of spam."

You can also check the mail against 2 DNSBL. I have no idea how well these
features work though since I haven't installed the program on an actual mail
server yet, just as a standalone install to check out what it can offer. But
it's going on my Exchange server any day now.

--
Dennis B.



Re: Reject spam using Reverse Lookup by Mariette

Mariette
Fri Sep 19 03:01:46 CDT 2003

In news:eUiTALjfDHA.3216@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl,
Pat Kelecy <pat@*no-spam*mp-m.com> wrote:

> Does Exchange 03 improve upon this (spam blocking)? I thought I read
> that it does.

Yes, it does have a feature called DNS blacklisting.

--
Mariette Knap [SBS MVP]
www.smallbizserver.net



Re: Reject spam using Reverse Lookup by John

John
Fri Sep 19 04:29:06 CDT 2003

If you are using MES 9, spend some time getting the Baysian filter
configured, it works well for us.

"Dennis Balogh" <posttest@nospam_yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eSA4cnnfDHA.132@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> darrin wrote:
> > I already block domains using exchange manager and the
> > rest with GFI MailEssentials. They both work great.
> > However, I would prefer to reject the emails that don't
> > resolve, too.
> >
>
>
> I was evaluating GFI MailEssentials 9 the other day and noticed a feature
> that might be the one you are looking for. Under Header checking there is
a
> check box to perform a DNS lookup on the MIME FROM:.
>
> This is from the GFI manual:
>
> "'Verify if sender domain is valid' This feature will do a DNS lookup on
the
> domain specified in the MIME from field and verify it[sic] the domain is
> valid. If the domain is not valid it's a sure sign of spam."
>
> You can also check the mail against 2 DNSBL. I have no idea how well these
> features work though since I haven't installed the program on an actual
mail
> server yet, just as a standalone install to check out what it can offer.
But
> it's going on my Exchange server any day now.
>
> --
> Dennis B.
>
>



Re: Reject spam using Reverse Lookup by Dave

Dave
Fri Sep 19 04:53:53 CDT 2003

We use on all our customers sites GFI's MailSecurity and MailEssentials to
help control the amount of Spam and Virus infected emails. My daily mailbox
before installing MailEssentials would have at least 150+ spam emails. Now
it down to 10 or less. As with all types of software the first few days or
week is the worst. Making sure you have the correct filters in place to
stop the unwanted email and to allow the required emails.

Dave


"Dennis Balogh" <posttest@nospam_yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eSA4cnnfDHA.132@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> darrin wrote:
> > I already block domains using exchange manager and the
> > rest with GFI MailEssentials. They both work great.
> > However, I would prefer to reject the emails that don't
> > resolve, too.
> >
>
>
> I was evaluating GFI MailEssentials 9 the other day and noticed a feature
> that might be the one you are looking for. Under Header checking there is
a
> check box to perform a DNS lookup on the MIME FROM:.
>
> This is from the GFI manual:
>
> "'Verify if sender domain is valid' This feature will do a DNS lookup on
the
> domain specified in the MIME from field and verify it[sic] the domain is
> valid. If the domain is not valid it's a sure sign of spam."
>
> You can also check the mail against 2 DNSBL. I have no idea how well these
> features work though since I haven't installed the program on an actual
mail
> server yet, just as a standalone install to check out what it can offer.
But
> it's going on my Exchange server any day now.
>
> --
> Dennis B.
>
>



Re: Reject spam using Reverse Lookup by Pat

Pat
Fri Sep 19 18:57:31 CDT 2003

Thanks.

"Mariette Knap [SBS MVP]" <mariette@smallbizserver.net> wrote in message
news:ux%23pDRofDHA.3324@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> In news:eUiTALjfDHA.3216@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl,
> Pat Kelecy <pat@*no-spam*mp-m.com> wrote:
>
> > Does Exchange 03 improve upon this (spam blocking)? I thought I read
> > that it does.
>
> Yes, it does have a feature called DNS blacklisting.
>
> --
> Mariette Knap [SBS MVP]
> www.smallbizserver.net
>
>



Re: Reject spam using Reverse Lookup by anon34543

anon34543
Thu Sep 25 08:49:44 CDT 2003

Of course the reverse domain lookup feature is now ineffective.
Thanks to those nice people at VeriSign every .com and .net domain
name lookup succeeds.

Don't believe me try something like:

telnet rtyertyetyty.etyertyetyetyetyertyetyety.com 25

And say hello to verisign for me would you...

"Dave Taylor" <newsdt@amshire.co.uk> wrote in message news:<ODB#wPpfDHA.1200@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl>...
> We use on all our customers sites GFI's MailSecurity and MailEssentials to
> help control the amount of Spam and Virus infected emails. My daily mailbox
> before installing MailEssentials would have at least 150+ spam emails. Now
> it down to 10 or less. As with all types of software the first few days or
> week is the worst. Making sure you have the correct filters in place to
> stop the unwanted email and to allow the required emails.
>
> Dave
>
>
> "Dennis Balogh" <posttest@nospam_yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:eSA4cnnfDHA.132@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> > darrin wrote:
> > > I already block domains using exchange manager and the
> > > rest with GFI MailEssentials. They both work great.
> > > However, I would prefer to reject the emails that don't
> > > resolve, too.
> > >
> >
> >
> > I was evaluating GFI MailEssentials 9 the other day and noticed a feature
> > that might be the one you are looking for. Under Header checking there is
> a
> > check box to perform a DNS lookup on the MIME FROM:.
> >
> > This is from the GFI manual:
> >
> > "'Verify if sender domain is valid' This feature will do a DNS lookup on
> the
> > domain specified in the MIME from field and verify it[sic] the domain is
> > valid. If the domain is not valid it's a sure sign of spam."
> >
> > You can also check the mail against 2 DNSBL. I have no idea how well these
> > features work though since I haven't installed the program on an actual
> mail
> > server yet, just as a standalone install to check out what it can offer.
> But
> > it's going on my Exchange server any day now.
> >
> > --
> > Dennis B.
> >
> >