'yes' Optus

What is port 25?

This is the default port used by an email client to connect an email server. This is also the default port to send email when it is not sent via the Optus Mail Server.

Why has port 25 been blocked?

Optus plays an active role in the fight against spam and viruses. These changes will help Optus continue preventing spam and virus, on and off our service.

What are the benefits to my service?

Most viruses and worms are spread by email, in the form of spam (or junk emails). So how are these emails sent?

Viruses/worms install their own SMTP engine on compromised computer, once installed; a worm can churn out a huge volume of messages on a broadband connected PC by sending mail directly out of port 25 rather than the Optus mail server.

By blocking port 25, such viruses/worms can be stopped from spreading, and has the added benefit of reducing the amount of spam that is received in all Optus customer's inboxes.

Can I reverse the change?

If you prefer not to have port 25 blocked due to a legitimate need, simply login to Optus Member Services to apply to have port 25 unblocked.

I run a business, how does this impact my services with Optus?

If you are a Small Business with an Optus DSL Broadband or Dial-up account with a Static IP, this change will not apply to you, that is port 25 will not be blocked on your account. If you don't have a Static IP, it won't affect your services at all unless you are running an e-mail server. In that case you will need to opt out of the port blocking by logging in to Member Services.

My service is on a Static IP address, what does this change mean to me?

If you have an Optus DSL Broadband or Dial-up account with a Static IP then this change will not apply to you, that is, port 25 will not be blocked on your account. If for whatever reason port 25 is blocked you can call Customer Service to have the port unblocked for you.

What is my email address?

Your email address is like your postal address. It allows email messages addressed to you to find their way to your email account. The email address shows who you are and with which Internet Service Provider you are a subscriber.

For example: jonesfamily@optusnet.com.au tells someone that your account is named "jonesfamily" and that your Internet Service Provider is "Optus" which is located in Australia (shown by the .au). If you change Internet providers, your email address will change as well.

What is Webmail?

Webmail allows you to check your Optus Internet email when you're away from your Internet connection. For example, you might like to check your personal email from a work connection, or keep an eye on your email when you're on holidays.

With Webmail you can view, receive and reply to your email from any Internet-connected computer in the world.

To use Webmail simply go to www.optuszoo.com.au and select Webmail from the top of the page. You will be prompted to enter your username and password, and once you log-in, details are verified by our email server you will be able to view your email.

Why can't I download email?

This usually means some of the email settings in your computer are incorrect. Check to see if your incoming and outgoing mail servers are mail.optusnet.com.au and that you have correctly entered your username and password. Use one of the links below to check that your email client has been correctly configured.

• Optus Dial-up Internet email settings - Windows or Mac OS.
• Optus DSL Broadband email settings - Windows or Mac OS.
• Optus Cable Broadband email settings - Windows or Mac OS.

How do I send attachments?

If you need to send someone more than just a message, such as pictures or work documents, you can add them to your email as an attachment.

If you are using Outlook Express, click on the button that is called "Attach" (and has a picture of a paper clip). A small window will open showing the folders and files stored on your computer. Select the file that you want to send with your email and then click the "Attach" button. The file you want to attach will then be sent with the email message. When you receive email with an attachment, a paper clip will appear next to the letter. Double-click the paper clip then you can view and save the attachment.

How do I use my other email addresses?

When you first sign-up with Optus you receive a username and password that allows you to connect to the Internet and access your primary email account. In addition to your primary email account you can create four additional accounts for use at home and work. Follow one of the links below to activate one or more of your additional accounts.

• Optus Dial-up Internet - Five free emails
• Optus DSL Broadband - Add a user account
• Optus Cable Broadband - Add a user account

Once at this page, enter your Optus username and password then click the submit button to enter the email account administration page.

Once you are in the email account administration page, you can add additional email accounts by entering a new username into one of the available accounts displayed. After entering the username, you will then need to enter a password for the mail account. Please remember that the additional usernames and passwords you create are used only to access the additional email accounts - they are not used to connect to the Internet.

Once you have created your additional email account(s), you need to configure your email program to access the account(s). You can view detailed instructions on how to configure Outlook Express here.

What is my email password?

When your account was created, you will have been provided with a username and password. Your username is the first part of your email address (eg. a customer whose email address is johncitizen@optusnet.com.au will have the username johncitizen) and the password is used to log in to the Optus Internet service, to personalise your homepage and to access your email.

For security reasons, you should change this password regularly and you can do this online via User Management in Member Services. You should change this password as soon as you are connected to the service and regularly thereafter. You can do this online via Account Management in Member Services , or via your Desktop Service Centre.

Can I access my email when I'm away from home?

Yes. Webmail lets you read your Optus email from any other computer on the Internet - you do not have to be connected to the Optus network via your modem. Log in to Webmail here.

Can I have multiple email accounts?

With every Optus Internet account, you can have up to five free email accounts. You can create your additional email accounts in Member Services.

What is Spam?

Spamming is any form of unsolicited email. Essentially spam is junk mail on the Internet and can include abusive, threatening or unwanted mail.

Is it illegal to Spam?

Yes. It is illegal to send, or cause to be sent, 'unsolicited commercial electronic messages'. The Spam Act is enforced by the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA). For further information visit http://www.acma.gov.au/spam.

How can you stop receiving Spam?

Most mailing list email spam from reputable organisations can be stopped by "Unsubscribing". Instructions are usually provided on this type of spam email on how to remove your email address from an organisation's mailing list.

If you receive an abusive email or are unable to unsubscribe from a mailing list, you should send an email to abuse@ at the originating domain. For example if you were to get an abusive email, or if you are unable to unsubscribe to an email you received from jbloggs@optusnet.com.au, you should email abuse@optusnet.com.au to advise of the issue.

How can you make a complaint about Spam?

You can make a complaint about spam that you have received to ACMA via their website. You can also download ACMA's SpamMATTERS program which enables you to report spam directly to ACMA via a 'one-click' process.

Depending on the content of the spam email you have received, it may be appropriate to report it to a relevant Authority to investigate the content. For example, ACMA will investigate if the spam email contains prohibited or offensive content, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) may investigate if the spam email contains fraudulent content, or the Privacy Commissioner may investigate if the content breaches privacy laws. You can find out more information on your options and how to contact these organisations via the ACMA spam complaints website.

How can you protect yourself against Spam?

ACMA's website has some great tips on how you can protect yourself and minimise your chances of receiving spam.

What is Optus Internet doing about Spam?

Optus Internet is helping alleviate this problem by providing all of our Customers with Free Spam Filtering for their mailboxes. You can activate Spam Filtering now.

More information on Optus' spam filtering and how it works.

Can I use Optus to receive email from a non-Optus email account?

Yes. When setting up this account in Outlook Express, you'll need to set the other account's mail server as the POP3 or Incoming mail server and mail.optusnet.com.au as your SMTP, or Outgoing mail server, to be able to receive mail from the other account, yet still send mail using your Optus Internet connection.

Does Optus support mail clients other than Microsoft Outlook Express?

Other mail clients will work but Optus Internet does not provide online support for them.

What is Optus's email storage policy?

Optus Internet provides 20MB (for Dial-up accounts) or 20MB (for Residential Broadband accounts) or 100MB (for Small Business Broadband accounts) of received email storage (including attached files). A warning message is sent when the amount of stores emails reaches 90% of the limit, and again when it reaches 100%. Once you reach this limit, you will not be able to receive any new email.

You are most likely to exceed this limit if you configure your email program to save a copy of your email messages on the server. It's recommended that you only use this setting if you are temporarily receiving email on a different computer than the one you would normally use - for example, while travelling.

The maximum size of any single email message cannot exceed 10MB. This limit includes all files attached to it. If you attempt to send a messages larger than 10MB, it will be returned to you with an error message.