smtp.vodacom.co.za

3GisDaMan said:
My dashboard is saying I used 607.74 mb of my 1 gig cap, but just received an SMS that I have used up the gig, and will now be charged...

This is not good service from Vodacom.
Click to expand...

Hello there, I don't think vodacom has anything to do with the vodafone dashboard software. But I do think that Vodacom should inform their users that they should NEVER EVER ever ever trust their data usage on the dashboard. Go to the website, login and check for your self. I also use all of my gig each month, but according to my dashboard I only use about 150Mb each month.
Every time the software crashes,terminates or disconnects incorrectly it forgets your current data usage.
 
V3G

I think you should consider the 3G market. It is already a fact that 3G sucks when it comes to internet gaming and even VoIP.

The people that use it are people on the move. Email, lawyers sending documents, developers on site and similar. Sure, I agree that it will become expensive if some idiot sends you 1GB of spam, EXEs or your PC sends it via malware etc... but you some responsibility will still be on the user's side. In that case use something like MailWasher to strip spam.

I am still using Hetzner as my mail and HTTP server. With it I can block spam and view incoming emails. So far I have been in control. If I suddenly see a 2+MB email coming in I go into my account and view the current download and decide if I want to continue downloading. If it is from a unwanted source I kill the download, delete the email and add the person to my hate list.

But restricting sending emails with common attachments is a problem. I would suggest that all ZIP files are left alone. If you zipped the EXE (which was a conscious deed from the user's side) the file is (1) smaller and (2) not executable immediately when it arrives at the other side. What I don't like is the smart software that scans the type of files in the zip file. Leave that alone. I renamed the files to obscure names and the SMTP server still figured out what it was. It is my stuff, leave it alone.

So the risk is that some malware program sends out 1GB of EXEs. But at the same time I might be sending 1000 clients each a 8MB update on their access control software, and with overheads it turns into 1GB of emails.

So blocking all undesirable attachments is not going to work. Maybe to protect the 3G client send warning SMSs at 500, 800, 900 and 1GB levels and then CUT THE SERVICE OFF at 1GB. You must then go into www.vodacom.co.za and activate out of bundle service with your cellphone no and password. Maybe we should be able to set the limit when service is cut off. So if your 3G is permanently on and some malware decides to send stuff like crazy it will reach a safe limit. Next morning you find your service has been halted, you kill and delete the malware program, reactivate the service and continue.

Maybe the user must have the ability to set legal email attachments. I always have some kind of monitor open and will see in a very short time that something is going on. Somebody else might leave their connection unattended at night.

So it boils down to flexibility. I agree that there must be some form of control, but maybe that control must be in the hands of the client and not Vodacom.


VMS
 
One of the dilemmas with the 3G service is the wide range of users.

As I always state, most forumites are not representative of the average user, you guys being much more IT literate. Just look at the steps you go through to protect yourself. You would have lost most end-users after the first step! :)

The Vodacom data walk-in centers have become glorified virus removal shops. It's not uncommon for a user to bring his laptop in complaining of slow throughput and/or high data usage and then the guys remove 46 (in one specific case) viruses. At no cost.

So, at the one end, we have users like yourself that can look after themselves. On the other end, people who really need to be looked after.

So it's a balancing act and thus the request where you guys would feel comfortable. My own take is; do in-line virus scanning but allow all attachments.

If we don't do virus scanning, etc. the conspiracists will claim we do it to up the traffic!
 
VMS said:
Maybe we should be able to set the limit when service is cut off. So if your 3G is permanently on and some malware decides to send stuff like crazy it will reach a safe limit. Next morning you find your service has been halted, you kill and delete the malware program, reactivate the service and continue.
Click to expand...

I like this idea !!! LOTS !!!
 
vodacom3g said:
My own take is; do in-line virus scanning but allow all attachments.
Click to expand...

As long as you scan for *ALL* the Linux viruses as well.....uhm....wait there is none ! :D

I must agree with v3g here, I do that on my servers and works 100% :)

Laterz !
 
Sometimes wonder about the strange creatures on the other side of the Linux keyboard...... :D

You can set a limit on your data contract and will be cut off when you reach it. Works the same way as setting a limit on your voice contract.
 
I agree with what other forumites have said regarding having flexibility to use the system as it suits us and I also agree that we should be taking responsibility for protecting ourselves. Many of us are using the connection to run a business on the go and when we need to send stuff, we need to send it immediately! I also like VMS's idea of cutting the service if say 1GB of mail is sent in a very short time and then enabling us to reinstate it.

However I also see the problem of less informed users. Most users would never even find this forum. Perhaps there is a way to have different levels of service or protection. What about having a Vodacom Pro service for power users who know what the risks are and know how to protect themselves and then having a basic Vodacom service for people who need to be looked after a little more.
 
is it only me? .. or are others still having intermittent problems with the vodacom smtp server? .. it's 6pm on Wed now and I can't send
 
Can't send emails this afternoon. Using backup server again. On the plus side I CAN UPLOAD at 7 KBps YAY YAY YAY.
 
relieved to know it's not just me .. anyway the problem continues .. can't send again this afternoon :(
 
Vodacom Vodacom Vodacom

Why don't you guys do something to makes us happy!!!

We love you guys, but this is not the company we know and love!!!
 
Or at least the SMTP service you should get :mad:

There is (just been told, was) a problem with outgoing mail. Something about some records that could not resolve user names.

Don't have my laptop up at the moment, can someone confirm if the service is still down or up?
 
wish I could tell you something different .. but Yes unfortunately the problem still exists
 
Still down.

You should have a listen at my client. He needs to install the newest version of the software on his bosses machine for a very important meeting tomorrow morning.

"Sorry dude, I cannot email at all, will have to do it when the service is up, i.e. (maybe) just before your meeting tomorrow morning 8am", because he is leaving in 5 minutes.

This email thing has probably cost me a nice R15 000 per month. They probably won't use my services again. He wanted to come and fetch a CD from my house now so desparate is he. I am now a liability to them.

Damn, R15 k per month gone....friggen thanks Vodacom.

Oh yeah, I had to place an urgent order for PC parts. I don't have their number, so the dealer asked me to email mine so he can call. I tried, but oops, no SMTP. Down goes another deal. Ag, I would have made R200 on the deal. What is R200? Boggerol.... compare to R15 000. Damn


VMS
 
lately .. it worries me more when the smtp is "working" .. at least when it is down I KNOW for sure my mails are not being sent .. when it is "working" it is a hit and miss affair .. I am still discovering that some mails "sent" never actually went anywhere .. I think Friday last week was the worst which is naturally when I was doing my billing .. so quite frankly I think I will just stick to sending via my dial-up .. at least I can trust that.
 
But sjeez, let me get this straight.....The new super duper, dual redundant SMTP server, carried by angels and blessed by the Pope himself screwed up?
 
haha .. nice to see you haven't lost your sense of humour VMS .. perhaps if all your clients fire you, you can make it as a stand up vodacomedian !!

hey .. my offer of an invitation for a gmail account still stands ;)
 
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