Re: [exim4] mixed up about terminology
On Wed 08 Oct 2014 at 14:49:36 -0400, Jerry Stuckle wrote:
> On 10/8/2014 1:41 PM, Brian wrote:
> > On Wed 08 Oct 2014 at 13:00:46 -0400, Jerry Stuckle wrote:
> >
> >> On 10/8/2014 7:55 AM, Brian wrote:
> >>>
> >>> By definition an MTA will transport mail. It will do this for whatever
> >>> talks nicely to it (telnet or netcat would do). Exim has no idea whether
> >>> it is communicating with an MUA or an MTA and doesn't care. In fact, it
> >>> will happily listen on ports 25 and 587 at the same time.
> >>>
> >>> Mail submitted on either of these ports can require authentication or be
> >>> restricted to being allowed only from designated networks, such as a LAN.
> >>> Neither of these mechanisms is known to lead to an inherent insecurity.
> >>
> >> Yes, I know all of that, Brian. But you missed the entire meaning of
> >> the word "smarthost" as it applies to MTAs.
> >
> > Nope. A smarthost *is* an MTA. My ISP has one; I have one; both talk to
> > netcat in fluent SMTP.
>
> That was the whole point of my post above.
I'm glad we can agree.
> >> And yes, there are many possible insecurities in an MTA configuration.
> >
> > Indeed. Just as there are many ways to get run over crossing a busy road.
> > The trick is to avoid it happening.
>
> Which is not as easy to do as some people claim.
I've not yet worked out how to do it on the M6 motorway at rush hour.
Tips are welcome.
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