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Thread: what do I need smtp server for?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
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    what do I need smtp server for?

    I have a vps with Ubuntu server and I have set up Postfix because I want to use my domain for email though it's just for forwarding:
    info@mydomain.com --> my.main.email@gmail.com
    I don't use my server for sending emails or Thunderbird or so.

    my question is do I really need smtp server? can I block access to my smtp port (25)?
    this is because I'm not really sure that I have secured my smtp server enough.

  2. #2
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    Re: what do I need smtp server for?

    If all you're going to use your Postfix installation for is forwarding emails, and you're not expecting mail from outside your network, you can safely leave port 25 closed.
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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
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    2

    Re: what do I need smtp server for?

    Yes we should keep mail server of if your always using the Postfix. It is always safe to keep most ports off till you don't really know why it is open.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
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    21

    Red face Re: what do I need smtp server for?

    ok! I did az you told! I ran this:

    iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --destination-port 25 -j DROP

    But now when I send an email from "my.email@hotmail.com" to "info@mydomain.com" , I don't get it at "my.main.email@gmail.com" as before!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
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    Southern California
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    Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin

    Re: what do I need smtp server for?

    By closing port 25 you just blocked smtp which is the default port for most services like Hotmail. You will need it open to receive mail from outside mail servers.
    Last edited by dirtrider1; January 7th, 2012 at 11:32 AM.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    New Jersey
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    Ubuntu

    Re: what do I need smtp server for?

    If you're running your own server from home, the only ports that you should open are the ones that you are actually using: http,https,control panel.

    You shouldn't ever close the smtp port because then no one on your network will be able to send mail. Just because something is there, that doesn't mean you have to actually use it. You don't need it, just let it be.
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  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    Re: what do I need smtp server for?

    If you close inbound port 25, you'll also make it impossible for remote serves to send administrative messages like non-delivery notices in response to the mail you send.

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