I was wondering, based on your experiences, if there would be a benefit to using an alternative SMTP server in front of our Exchange Server? I constantly see people trying to relay thru our server and was thinking, security-wise if it would be a big benefit, or more of a pain. I've seen a lot of free SMTP server software out there. Then just have it forward all relevant SMTP mail to our Exchange Server... Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Majority of organisations generally use a Linux based SMTP servers line SendMail or Postfix for relay mails to the internet. This is generally a good security practice. If you are using exchange 2007 you can use the edge transport server. Also it is not a good practice to keep the SMTP server as a open relay. You should only allow the required clients to relay through the exchange server. Mahendra

No, I have no open SMTP relays, but I'm constantly pounded with people trying to see if I'm an open relay. That's why I was thinking about putting in a Linux based SMTP server as my first SMTP in device. So, you're saying it should also use it as my outbound as well? We are running Exchange 2003.

They are pounding your Exchange to see if your Exhange is open relay. And you are saying you are not. So you are ok.Freddy @ Advanced Agile Technology LLC www.advancedagile.com

Yes you should use the Linux based SMTP server for relaying mails IN and OUT of your exchange 2003 organosation. Mahendra

Hi,You can also apply the Recipient Filtering on the SMTP Virtual Server to block inbound spam. Recipient Filtering will block the email in the SMTP session if the recipients are not in the AD.ThanksAllen

What in your opinions, would be the best, FREE SMTP server to use in front of our Exchange Server? Thanks again!!

Hi,The IMF is a good choice which has the Recipient Filtering feature. IMF is only avaiable in Exchange 2003 SP2. ThanksAllen

On Thu, 4 Mar 2010 18:44:46 +0000, Scotty_D wrote:>What in your opinions, would be the best, FREE SMTP server to use in front of our Exchange Server? Thanks again!! Postfix, IMO, is easier to use than Sendmail.---Rich MatheisenMCSE+I, Exchange MVP--- Rich Matheisen MCSE+I, Exchange MVP

Do any of these free SMTP servers provide any kind of functionality for Blacklisting and such? Thanks again for all the info!!

On Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:33:49 +0000, Scotty_D wrote:>Do any of these free SMTP servers provide any kind of functionality for Blacklisting and such? Thanks again for all the info!! Yes, they do. You can also use free tools like SpamAssassin andClamAV.---Rich MatheisenMCSE+I, Exchange MVP--- Rich Matheisen MCSE+I, Exchange MVP