Usenet posts by Telewest blueyonder Internet service subscribers are been blocked by other news providers because of complaints over spam.

In a notice to users yesterday, Telewest explains that a Usenet Death Penalty has been put in place because many spammers are using its customers' poorly configured computers as relay agents.

Telewest has been criticised in postings to groups such as news.admin.net-abuse.usenet for failing to curb the abuse.

However it has now pledged to take more active steps to address the issue, which its says it regards as "very serious".

Telewest says it is accelerating efforts to fix the problem. Telewest is scanning its network for open NNTP (news) relays, which it will expand to cover all types of proxy servers (HTTP, mail etc.) that could be used by third parties to abuse its customers' service.

It will work with customers to take any necessary corrective action, but where customers can't be contacted, it reserves the right to suspend their service as a last resort.

Telewest said the issue has prompted it to review its abuse policies and procedures, and acceptable use policy to see if any changes are merited.

Through these actions Telewest hopes to have its Usenet Death Penalty rescinded as soon as possible. Until then, no postings to news.blueyonder.co.uk will propagate beyond the cable outfit's borders. ®

External Links

bluyonder's notice
Usenet Death Penalty FAQ

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