Out-of-the-Office Message/Internet Exposure

[michaelfaulkner]

Wondering how this has worked for those opening up the "out-of-the-office" reply to Internet senders (instead of restricting to local Exchange users).

I was also thinking it would be nice if newer version of Outlook/Exchange would include blacklists to prevent out-of-the-office replies for certain domains/addresses. Do they?

Thanks for any input and experience.

 

[Marcs41]

You should always avoid Out of Office to the internet, to avoid spammers to get valid addresses.
A blacklist will not help, I can't see you type in half the worlds domains. What you would need to use is a White LISt, but even then, most spam fakes the domain, and even use your own, so it is a bit hard to do what you want.
Just avoid the OOO to the net, just as you should disable NDR's to the internet, for the same reasons.

Marc
_{If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC!}

 

[cmegha2001]

This is how to disable Out Of Office responce to the internet/external email that is not local to exchange.

1) open exchange admin
2) open connections>internet mail service
3) under the tab internet mail click on the advance options
4) check the box "Disable Out Of Office responses to the internet"
5) Click "ok" twice then restart the internet mail service

This will disable O.O.O replies to the internet which will help to control validating to spam email

 

[michaelfaulkner]

I have it disabled. To be honest, I wasn't thinking about spam which is certainly a problem in our University setting. It was more in regard to getting inadvertently unsubscribed to newslists, newsletters, etc. where they frown on receiving auto-responses like this.

We do have an unusal configuration -- most Exchange users on our system POP to a University UNIX system and download their e-mail into Exchange from there. They can set a UNIX "vacation" message on the UNIX account when not in the office. I'm trying to move them to mailhome directly to the Exchange server, bypassing the UNIX account, but know they will give me grief as they have gotton used to setting the "vacation" message. (As you may know, there is a "bulk: precendence" setting in the UNIX reply e-mail vacation message header which prevents mail loops and auto-responses to certain e-mail).

Thanks everyone.

 

[Marcs41]

Make them aware of the grief they will have when spam hits them, not to mention viruses as well. You will eventually have to deal with it and you should make it very clear to them that these days, such things are not to be 'tolerated' anymore. The potential loss of business and of course time and date is much much more important than their 'convenience'.
It is difficult to convince them, believe me, I know, but you have to stick with your point.

Marc
_{If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC!}

 

[michaelfaulkner]

Marc:

I think it's too late for the spam for us. I believe the spammers have already harvested a great number of our campus addresses.... perhaps because of the UNIX vacation messages and the general openness of our system to the outside.

 

[Marcs41]

Well, it may be to late for some, and I am sorry for you, but that is even more reason to stop further possibilities.

Marc
_{If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC!}

 

[michaelfaulkner]

I will certainly use that as part of an explanation. Thanks.

 

[Marcs41]

You're welcome

Marc
_{If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC!}