As you are most likely aware, the problem of junk email (also known as spam) is an issue of great concern.

In an effort to curb the flow of junk email, SoVerNet has tightened the "relaying filters" on our mail servers.

While these changes won't necessarily reduce the amount of spam coming into SoVerNet, they are the sort of conscientious actions that would virtually eliminate junk email if implemented by all ISPs. These changes also help to maintain SoVerNet's reputation as a responsible ISP, helping to ensure that email from SoVerNet will not be "black-holed" or blocked by other providers as coming from a known spam site.

A common practice among spammers is to use the mail servers of other ISPs to send their junk email across the Internet by relaying it off of that ISPs' mail servers. To prevent SoVerNet's mail server from being used in such a way, we will block relaying of messages sent from outside the SoVerNet network, unless they are destined for SoVerNet addresses.

This message has been sent to folks who have recently sent email through SoVerNet's mail server while logged onto a network other than SoVerNet, as these changes will prevent you from doing so in the future.

While you will still be able to check your SoVerNet email from a non-SoVerNet network, you will not be able to send email unless your email program is configured to send through the mail server of the network you are dialed into.

Alternatively, you are welcome to telnet in to the shell server and send email using PINE, the email program that resides on the shell server. For details on telnetting, the shell server and PINE, see our new Telnet Site . This URL actually contains a link that should open a telnet session to the SoVerNet shell for you.

Finally, if you dial directly into a SoVerNet access number you will have no trouble sending email.

If needed, our Technical Support Team will be pleased to help with configuration changes. Technical Support is also available by calling 802-463-2111, Mondays and Fridays 9:00am to 5:00pm, Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursday 9:00am to 7:00pm, and on Saturdays, 09:00am to 1:00pm.