ml> just like SQL servers, who opens up an SMTP server direct to the world?
 ml> especially in this day in time?

 SL> A lot of BBS sysops apparently. I think the conversation started as
 SL> a complaint about ISPs not allowing inbound SMTP..

inbound SMTP is not (really) a/the problem... outbound SMTP, on the other
hand, is where a lot of networks have problems... especially when they are
infiltrated in some manner and their outbound SMTP is used to spew spammage
;)

 ml> we have a "pre-filter" that takes the connection and
scans it 50 ways
 ml> from hell before the traffic is allowed or denied... depending on the
 ml> denial, the firewall may even block all future connection attempts from
 ml> that IP ;)

 SL> I'm not quite at that level of paranoia / due diligence on my own
 SL> networks :) 

hehe... i know the feeling... i was there once upon a time ;)

)\/(ark