How to Check Mail Server for Open Relay

Check your mail server for open mail relay.

An open mail relay means that your mail server is open for anyone on the Internet to send emails through. People other than known users can use the open relay to generate mail from the server. Spammers and worms use this open relay to abuse the system. Because of this, many mail servers no longer have open mail relays. To be sure that your mail server doesn't, use one of the online programs that can check this for you.

Instructions

1. Go to SpamHelp (see Resources for link) to test your SMTP server for open mail relay. Your IP address is already recorded and populated in the box when you visit the site. Check the box next to "Report open relays to DSBL" if you will like the mail server to be backlisted, if there is an open relay. Click on the "Test" button. The site will test your mail server and provide you with the results of the test immediately.

2. Use CheckOR.com to test the mail server. Go to the CheckOR site (see Resources for link) and enter your mail server in the field. The mail server information is provided by your email provider or Internet service provided. The format for it is "mail.yourdomain.com." Click the "Check my Mailserver" button. The site will check your mail server for open relays and provide the results. A failed test will be printed in red.

3. Use the DNS Goodies website to test your mail server. Go to the site (see Resources) and scroll to the middle of the page. Enter your mail server information in the box under the "Openrelay Check" section and click "Test." The site runs the test and provides the result.

References

• DNSGoodies.com: What is Open Relay

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Spam Help: SMTP Open Relay Test
• DNSGoodies.com: Check Mailserver
• CheckOR.com: Open Relay Check Tool