Increase your MAIL Server Performance Process

Dear All Valued Customers, 

In order to better serve you and improve our MAIL Servers' performance processes, we take account security very seriously. There are a number of things you can do to help increase our servers' performance. To ensure that your important email accounts remain safe and to prevent email accounts getting hacked, we strongly recommend following these steps regularly:

To keep your account safe, here are a few tips on how to create a strong password:

1. Use a unique password for each of your importants accounts

Use a different password for each of your important accounts, like your email and online banking accounts. Re-using passwords is risky. If someone figures out your password for one account, that person could potentially gain access to your email, address, and even your money.

2. Change your password often

If someone has figured out your password, they might be accessing your account without you knowing. Regularly changing your password helps limit this type of unauthorized access.

3. Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols in your password

Using numbers, symbols and mix of upper and lower case letters in your password makes it harder for someone to guess your password. For example, an eight-character password with numbers, symbols and mixed-case letters is harder to guess because it has 30,000 times as many possible combinations than an eight-character password with only lower case letters.

4. Don't use personal information or common words as a password

Create a unique password that's unrelated to your personal information and use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, you can select a random word or phrase and insert letters and numbers into the beginning, middle, and end to make it extra difficult to guess (such as "sPo0kyh@ll0w3En"). Don’t use simple words or phrases like "password" or "letmein," keyboard patterns such as "qwerty" or "qazwsx," or sequential patterns such as "abcd1234" which make your password easier to guess.

For Technical Enquiries, kindly contact our Critical Velocity Support Team at our :-

Office: +603-7806-3550

E-mail: cvs@everworks.com

Hope you have a good hosting with EVERWORKS Solutions.

photo of girl  Some rights reserved by Baba G

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SMS Delivery Gateway FAQ

Message designed by Luca Trinchero from the Noun Project

EVERWORKS SMS Delivery Solution provides a domestic (Malaysia) and global services. The prices quoted are free from hidden charges, monthly fees, setup costs, and monthly rent. Additionally, EVERWORKS does not disclose or sell any information to any third party provider, unless in the case where information is required by law, or court to help in the jurisdiction and carrying out of justice.

Here are some frequently asked questions that are customers have for us:

1. Is there a minimum purchase requirement? What is the validity for this purchase?

Yes there is a minimum purchase requirement. You are required to purchase a minimum of 3000 credits for the first purchase. This purchase is valid for one year. For validity to be renewed after the one year initial validity you would be required to make additional purchases for renewal to occur.

2. What is your coverage?

EVERWORKS cannot guarantee that all SMS Messages will reach its designated recipient, as the messages can be routed to other gateways, out of the control of EVERWORKS. Additionally, MNP mobile phone numbers may not receive SMS Messages.

3. Is there Unicode Message support? Does this affect the maximum character count?

Yes, there is Unicode Message Support. The maximum character count would be 70.

4. Will my designated SMS recipients receive 2 SMS when I exceed the 160 maximum character count?

No, your SMS recipients would not receive 2 SMS as EVERWORKS supports a long-sms service that ensures that your content is delivered as 1 SMS.

5. When has the SMS been successfully sent to the designated recipient's mobile phone?

When the status has changed to "DELIVERED" it has been successfully sent to the designated recipient's mobile phone.

6. What is your global network coverage?

Currently our coverage includes Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.

7. What does the API do?

API is provided to clients with intention to integrate our SMS Delivery Gateway with their ERP or CRM softwares. 

Here are the quick 7 FAQ's for EVERWORKS SMS Delivery Gateway. For further information you can refer to our SMS Delivery Gateway page.

Are there more questions you would like to ask? Feel free to leave us a comment below, or find us on Facebook.

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Mobile Delivery Gateway: Send SMS Guide

Message designed by Joe Harrison from the Noun Project.

As there has been a great frequency of questions from some of our clients, I thought this guide would prove useful for future reference. EVERWORKS delivers an industry leading Mobile Delivery Gateway solution that provides a quick, instantaneous communication method to deliver advertising or marketing information to targeted users (note: content sent to designated recipients has to be compliant with Malaysia's recently announced PDPA 2010; you can read more about the Principles of the PDPA 2010 here.)

To access the Send SMS dashboard, you would have to login to SMS Works, and you would immediately face the Send SMS dashboard as the first landing page (Login > Send SMS).

The content you wish to send to your designated recipient can be added in the Message Text field. Additionally, in the template column, there are choices of pre-designated templates, that you could use to aid your content development.

Important: After inserting your Message Text,  you have to key in according to sequence below:

For instances where you wish to only send via message leave the corresponding entry for the email address blank.

Instead, you could also send via Contact Group.

Once completed you can either send it immediately or a pre-scheduled date.

For more information on if you could change your content after you have set a date you can refer to MCMC Subscription Control FAQ.

If you still face some problems in regards to your access, or technical issues with EVERWORKS Mobile Delivery Gateway, don't hesitate to contact our ever-ready technical team cvs@everworks.com.

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MCMC Subscription Control FAQ

Disclaimer: SKMM is wholly owned by its respective owners and isn't partnered or owned by EVERWORKS.

Recently it was brought to my attention through, Wendy, that there has been a consistent stream of questions from our customers on subscription control, and here are a few of the questions asked with the highest frequency:

Q: Transaction rejected with error code 1103 & 164.

A: With this new subscription control (as per MCMC guidelines), we won't return the sub_id when CP do VsdbAdd. CP will receive sub_id=N/A. The CP will need to get the sub_id from the SmsMo, which is initiated by the subscriber. Additionally, the CP needs to follow the correct format for sub_id. The format is [<subid>]. Example: Sub_id from SmsMo: 0a2JsddrqoIje7+ysOQSTg== , Sub_id CP should submit when posting MT sub_id= [0a2JsddrqoIje7+ysOQSTg, ==].

Q: CP will not receive the 'ON <subscription keyword>' MO? If yes, which MO will CP receive: 'YES <subscription keyword>', 'YES', or '<subscription keyword>'?
A: Yes, CP will not receive the 'ON <subscription keyword>' MO tom subscriber, it will only involve the subscriber and the CPA for this MO request, CP will receive the MO via SubRegMo method from CPA once the subscriber has sent the 'YES <subscription keyword>'.

Q: What is SubPlanAdd, and SubPlanUpdate used for?
A: SubPlanAdd, allows CPs to create a new subscription. While the SubPlanUpdate allows Cps to update existing subscriptions through the CPA by editing subscription details, terminating keywords, adding new keywords and others (refer to the API given for more info).

Q:  Do we need to add all our keywords into CPA using this method?
A: For an existing subscriber that have subscribed for a keyword, further support will be provided during the migration process. There is a greater likelihood that the subscriber will not need to send 'ON' back to the subscriber. However, you may need to register your existing keyword using SubPlanAdd. (Note: There will be further updates regarding this matter in future, please check back periodically for updates)

Q: When will the CPA start sending reminders and renewals to subscribers? Also, how do you determine when to send the reminder for new and existing subscribers?
A: The CPA will send reminders and renewals to subscribers based on the keywords (This is depending on the subscription_bill_cycle that you have indicated through the SubPlanAdd or SubPlanUpdate). Take note that the number of days for a particular keyword is either for W=Weekly or M=Monthly subscription.

Q: Is there any impact if both the IOD (1MO&1MT) keyword and the subscription keyword are the same?
A: There is no impact IOD and Subscription Keyword are the same, because both keywords are managed using two separate methods.

Q: Does the CP need to invoke VsdbRnw since the renewal is now managed by the CPA?
A: Once the migration is completed there is no need for the CP to invoke VSDB anymore. The renewal will be controlled by the CPA. Once the renewal is completed, the CPA will send a DN Response to the CP using SubReqResp method.

Q: For the SmsMo Method, will the CP still receive a termination message?
A: If the termination is still received by the CPA, the CPA will send the termination notification to the subscriber and forward the termination request to the CP (via the SubTermMo method). If the CP updates its member records in the CP's membership database, and if the subscriber sends STOP ALL or STOP ALL SVC, then the CPA will forward one termination request for all subscriptions attached to the CP's short-code via SubTermMo method, and subsequently all keywords will then be terminated.

Q: Does the CP need to invoke VsdbTerm?
A: Upon the completion of migration, the CP will not be required to invoke VSDB anymore.

Q: How do I set a Future Date Time for an existing keyword?
A: Under the SubPlanAdd, and SubPlanUpdate features you can change sub_live_date parameters when the keywords are still not active, and the date time would be according to the new future date time. However, in the situation that your keyword has already been activated then the future date time parameter cannot be changed anymore.

Q: Can the CP set RM0.30 to the parameter: sub_reg_price_code and sub_rnw_price_code?
A: A CP cannot set RM0.30 for sub_reg_price_code & sub_rnw_price_code parameters. The CP needs to indicate in the Price Code Format for both parameters. Please refer to the API [11.3 General Price Code (page 90)].

Q: Is the parameter: sub_bill_cycle a content frequency?
A: Yes, sub_bill_cycle is the parameter that is used to determine subscription period, whether the keyword is used for M=Monthly or W=Weekly subscriptions.

Q: Does the 'SubPlanAdd and SubPlanUpdate apply for content based services or a time based subscription service or for both services?
A: Time based subscription services require the CP to implement both SubPlanAdd and SubPlanUpdate as all 1MO & Multiple MT used is required to implement these two updates.

Q: Now with new implementations do the CPs or the CPA send a successful confirmation of subscription?
A: Once the CP receives Subregmo. The CP is responsible to send Subregmt as the confirmation that the subscription has been successful and register it to the CPs database.

Q: How long does the subscriber have to respond 'YES <subscription keyword>' after they have received a reconfirmation MT from the CPA?
A: The subscriber has a 20 minute respond window before the reconfirmation MT session expires.

Q: Is there a way we can use a non-ams registration if the CPA no longer supplies us with the sub_id when VSDadd was previously used. (Where in the case where non-sms registration through VSDBadd to obtain the sub_id so that MT can be pushed to notify the user of their request and ask users to send REG <keyword> to the designated short code to confirm)
A: The CPA has implemented the new subscription control according to the new MCMC requirement. You would not receive the sub_id through the use of VSDBadd; for reasons to avoid charges of the MT using the sub_id to the subscriber without the initiation of the MO. You can only obtain the sub_id from the MO through the CPA, that has been obtained from the subscriber.

Q: Will the CPA perform a Renewal Retry in the event that there is an encounter of an error code during the renewal process?
A: The CPA will retry the following 3 days if any error is encountered on the renewal date. If the error is still encountered on the 5th day the CPA will terminate the user's subscription and forward the SubRnwResp to the CP (Eg. The expiry date is on 2012, February 2 (2/2/2012) the CPA will renew on the 1/2/2012, but if an error is encountered the CPA will retry on the 2/2/2012, 3/2/2012, 4/2/2012. If the problem still persists on the 5/2/2012 the CPA will terminate the subscriber without any retry, and only successfully terminated responses (SubRnwResp) will be forwarded to the CP.

Q: Upon successful renewal by the CPA, the DN will be returned to which URL?
A: Upon successful renewal the DN will be returned to the CP's MO URL. Where, the SubRegMt and SubSmsMt response will be forwarded to the CP's URL indicated in the response_url parameter when submitting the MT. It is suggested to use the same MO and Response URL.

Q: Can the bill cycle be changed on the Plan_ID in an active state?
A: The bill cycle cannot be updated once the subscription keyword status is active. Status for new subscription keywords are active by default. The effective date is immediate even the the plan_id is not in an active state (the CP set Plan_id to be in future date).

Q: Upon migration of the MK short Code, does the subscriber start facing Double-Opt-In Confirmation SMS from DiGi (when a subscriber sends 'ON XXX' to the MK Short C ode?
A: Yes, upon migration the subscriber will start the Double-Opt-In confirmation SMS.

Q: What happens when a user sends 'HELP' to the short code?
A: The 'HELP' sent will be immediately posted to the CP. The CPA will forward the request through SmsMo Method and the CP needs to send the 'HELP' Menu to the subscriber using the SmsMt method.

Q: Is offline DN still available through FTP after the Double-Confirmation Migration?
A: Offline DN service will continue to be available.

Q: Will the CPA only forward the MO with the following to the CP YES< >KEYWORD instead of REG < > KEYWORD?
A: Yes, the CPA will forward the MO via the SubRegMo with YES<space>KEYWORD. Additionally where the STOP service is sent, the CPA will forward through the SubTermMo.

1. stop<space>keyword - will terminate the particular subscription.
2. stop<space>all - will terminate all the subscription attached to the short code.

If unfortunately your question isn't listed here as part of this FAQ, rest assured our technical team is readily available to assist you. Please contact them through cvs@everworks.com and you should be attended to as soon as possible.

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Email Migration Deployment

Recently I interviewed an EVERWORKS expert, Wong, on how to move a domain from one old SmarterMail Server to another New SmarterMail Server.

Move a Domain from one old SmarterMail Server to Another New SmarterMail Server

An email migration is the process of moving files of an email service for the domain from one old one to another. A migration occurs due to reasons such as insufficient space, required additional features, or needed email server performance enhancement.

Recently EVERWORKS performed an Email Migration to upgrade its internal email service for its own operational use. In this migration, there are tips that hopefully will help you to better prepare for a smooth migration. (Perform migration easily with EVERWORKS Migration Service).

Here are steps to Migrate a Domain from one old SmarterMail Server to another New SmarterMail Server:

Tip 1: Schedule a Migration

It is best to schedule migration during a period that has the least amount of activity, to ensure that little is hindered and there is sufficient time to perform such a migration.

Tip 2: Notify all Stakeholders

Take importance to the notification to everyone (employees, suppliers, customers, vendors, etc) that there will be an EMAIL SERVER PLANNED MAINTENANCE, including the anticipated period the email service will be unavailable, specifically what would be affected, and when to expect service to resume as normal. Normally notifications are sent out through Email, but depending on company policy, methods for formal notifications may vary. 

Tip 3: Set a cutoff date for Email Housekeeping

Set a deadline for email housekeeping for all stakeholders involved or affected. A good practice would be a minimum of 7 business days before migration occurs.

Tip 4: Backup

Ensure that adequate backups have been put in place before the migration is underway. Also include domain backups.

Important Steps

Important Note: Ensure that SmarterMail is stopped on both servers before proceeding.

Make a back up copy of the DomainList.xml and the domains folder before starting. Locate the domain's folder. By default, this folder can be found at C:\SmarterMail\Domains\[domain-name]

Move this folder from the old server to the new server via FTP.

- File transfer protocol is a standard network protocol used to transfer files from a host to another over a TCP-based network such as the Internet.

Edit the domainList.xml file with Notepad on the old server. By default, this file can be found at C:\Program Files\SmarterMail\Service

Locate this line: 

<Domain name="MyDomain.com" directory="c:\SmarterMail\Domains\MyDomain.com"/>

Cut or copy this line from the file and save the file. Make a backup of the domainList.xml on the new server. Edit the domainList.xml on the new server. Paste the line you cut before into this document, and save.

Start SmarterMail service on both servers.

Modify the email primary MX record to the new IP Address. 

Note: This can take up to 4-12 hours for DNS Propagation through the Internet.

Note: There are cases that there is a need to speed up the DNS Propagation process. You can do this by modifying the default $TTL 14400 with the value (in seconds), such as 300 (5 minutes) to reflect the new IP Address change to retain availability of the email services hosted on the new server, to minimize the downtime of the email service. Also to avoid potential uncommon troubles such as having emails delivered to either servers at random.

For further support please contact +603 7806 3550 or email cvs@everworks.com should you need further assistance regarding this issue.

File Transfer designed by iconoci from the Noun Project

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How to Report Abuse to EVERWORKS

As you browse the Internet often you expect to find content that are relevant to you, but there are times when you will come across content hosted by EVERWORKS that doesn't meet ethical standards, or come to realize a breach in EVERWORKS usage policy or any other kind of inappropriate Internet activity originating from the use of an EVERWORKS service. Sometimes if you receive inappropriate Internet activity that come from EVERWORKS, it is understandable for our EVERWORKS users to be angered, but it is my goal in this post to provide you with background that you need to understand on behavior that we don't condone - what we consider as abuse of our services - might occur on our platform and what we do when we learn about it.

Email Subject & Its Importance

When facing an issue, the EVERWORKS team really wants to help you resolve it effectively. For us to effectively look into your issue, please include relevant subject lines in your email. Clearly define in your subject line if the issue you face is 'Spam', 'Phishing', 'DDoS Attack', or any other form of abuse that you are currently facing. This helps us identify the issue you are facing effectively.

Tips to consider

1. Include Evidence: Without evidence that is clear we are unable to relay a complaint to our customer. 
2. Use Keywords : We use email to handle abuse cases, and a clear subject line is really useful for us including just the word "Spam" or "Phishing" or "DDoS attacks" or others. (Include dates so we can see when you last sent it.
3. Follow Up: We work very hard to investigate and solve all complaints, but due to volume, we don't normally respond to individual emails, but if the issue has not yet been resolved, please feel free to contact us again.
4. Be Respectful: We will only forward evidence and documents that we have to customers that are performing any form of abuse, none of the other parts of your email get sent, so the only people reading profanity are the hardworking EVERWORKS support team. We understand that it is frustrating to be on the receiving end, but please be professional and try to understand our position!!

Common Types of Abuse

The most common types of abuse reported to EVERWORKS are spam, phishing and DDoS attacks. All three will be handled by a 24 hour response team (find out more on EVERWORKS's 6-Hour support response guarantee), but handled differently, so it is critical for me to break down each problem so that you can compile everything for you to be able to report any issue efficiently to our team. Yes, you are on the receiving end of this, and in the thick of the action it is easy to leave out critical information for the EVERWORKS team to determine your problems, so to make it easy for us to solve your problem quickly here are the different types of abuse and the best ways of approaching it and what are the best ways to report it to the EVERWORKS team:

SPAM

Spam is the most common abuse of the three that gets reported to EVERWORKS. In short, spam email are emails that are sent to you without your consent, email you have not asked to receive, causing your email to clog up, hindering your every day email tasks. Rest assured that wherever the spammer is whether it is a direct EVERWORKS customer or an indirect customer, it is the EVERWORKS team's responsibility to help you stop it.

When you receive spam sent through EVERWORKS, you should forward it directly to our support team (cvs@everworks.com), and the matter will be looked into.

Our team needs:

1. A full copy of the email, which you have received, with everything intact.
2. Email Headers. Email headers help tell the story about where those emails are coming from or which customer we need to contact to stop this abuse.

PHISHING

Phishing is another person who is claiming to be you, or a trusted service that you regularly use, to gain sensitive information. Phishing is a serious issue that the EVERWORKS team faces. Any user may be fooled at any time into giving up personal credit card, or banking information or login information and we don't want that to happen. (Take some time to do a Phishing Test by SonicWall just so you know how difficult it is to identify Phishing)

When you come across Phishing contact our support team (cvs@everworks.com), and this matter will be looked into.

Our team needs:

1. The Website's URL. This is for a site that is hosted under EVERWORKS committing a phishing abuse.
2. If you went to a phishing site through email, include a full copy of the email (including the email headers)

DDoS attack

According to Webopedia a DDoS is a type of DOS attack where multiple compromised systems, normally infected through a Trojan, are used to target a single system, where the victims' systems are maliciously used and controlled by the hacker in the distributed attack. The incoming traffic comes from many places, sometimes hundreds or even thousands, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate user traffic and attack traffic.

When experiencing a live DDoS attack contact us at +6(03) 7806 3550 and clearly state the issue you face, and your call will be directed to our technical team for further assistance.

If you face constant DDoS attacks please contact the EVERWORKS team (cvs@everworks.com) with documentation and proof for us so that we can take the necessary actions to protect and ensure that we reduce your losses as much as we can.

Other forms of abuse

As earlier mentioned these are just some of the frequent issues that our customers face, that we face most often. With other forms of abuse that have not been listed here, rest assured, because it all generally involves the same procedures. Send an email with a clear subject line, with a concise report to cvs@everworks.com. The EVERWORKS team will look into your complaint and look for evidence needed to take immediate action.

Work is done, even with no response

If your issues still persists and you don't feel like anything has been fixed, please first check if you have included all relevant information and evidence. Sometimes not receiving a response from the EVERWORKS team does not mean that nothing is being done, but rather than using up precious time to respond to hundreds of emails with the same abuse problem, we look to actually try to solve internally the problem that you face.

If all else fails, and you are certain that everything has been included still no progress has been made, you can always follow up with through social media on Twitter@EVERWORKS, and we will do everything we can to help.

Abuse is serious

At EVERWORKS we take abuse seriously, as it may affect not just our customers, but also our business, and all measures will be taken to ensure that the service we offer, is to the best we can, safe to use. EVERWORKS will seek the relevant consultation from authorities and legal advisors, against the abusers, if the nature of the abuse is considerably detrimental.

photoby hawkexpress

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Protect Yourself Against Phishing Attacks

Phishing is an attempt made normally through email, to trick you into revealing your personal information, such as bank account information, login details, and more to the attacker. Phishing emails usually appear to come from frequent services you use, or websites you often visit, or important organizations requesting for your personal information such as credit card numbers, account numbers or login names and passwords. 

Malaysia fact: The highest phishing detected is Internet Banking where users are tricked to make payments or reveal their credentials.

In order for cyber criminals to successfully obtain your personal information, they must redirect you to a "fake" website which resembles a legitimate service that you often use. This redirect occurs most often through email, claiming to be from the legitimate service embedded with links.

Identify Phishing Emails

Phishing emails are effective, because they create sudden fear in people resulting in requiring the person to click through the link and perform the necessary changes to avoid losses.

Among the common causes are:

1. Threat to suspend or close accounts, if there is no response.
2. Penalty charges will be imposed if accounts have not been updated.
3. Claims that your account has been compromised.
4. Claims that important security information has been lost, and needs your info to verify your account.

Protect Yourself

1. Avoid providing personal information by responding to unsolicited requests.

Requests through email and phone, should be taken with care, because you may not know who is the caller or sender. However convincing it is you should ways be aware that there might be a potential for fraud.

2. Double check with official contacts

Double check before committing any information can save you in the long run against phishing attacks. Call official hotlines, dedicated service managers, or people whom you can trust that are verified to be official representatives before providing any information.

3. Never give your password to anyone or any place

Financial Institutions will never usually ask you to verify any information online. If there is a problem they would contact to have you come to a designated branch to resolve the matter.

4. Review your account

Make sure you check and double-check your account activity and see whether it balances with your monthly activity. This will immediately notify you if there are any irregularities such as purchases, or emails sent in your name that you have not committed to.

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What are your experiences with Phishing? Are there proven ways to find out if something is a Phishing Attack? Please feel free to share your experiences in the comments section below!

Referenced from SKMM |  photoby liferoiblog

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Difference between POP3 and IMAP

Email is an indispensable modern tool that improves efficiency and flexibility. Your email is stored in a place called a mailbox. Separate users can have their own mailboxes, to receive emails, for example user1@example.com, user2@example.com, etc. (where example.com is your domain). Sometimes you would like a dedicated, or many, employee(s) and a specified mailbox to receive emails.  An alias can be created to accommodate this, for example the alias support@example.com receives emails related to support and those emails are also sent to adam@example.com and betty@example.com. Thus, the email would be in  all three (support@example.com, adam@example.com and betty@example.com) mailboxes.

Mailboxes can be connected either through Post Office Protocol (POP3) or Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP). Both these protocols are used for email retrieval purposes.

POP3 Retrieval Process

POP3

POP3 being the most common in email protocol, where messages are downloaded and stored on your computer. 

IMAP Retrieval Process

IMAP

Whereas, IMAP stores your email folders (inbox, sent items, trash, etc) on the server. Having IMAP allows you to access your email from anywhere. Email stored using IMAP does count towards your disk space quota.

Webmail uses IMAP to connect to the mailbox. IF your email client connects using POP3, you can still use webmail to view new messages in the inbox, but however you won't be able to access email that is stored in your computer. 

If you want to be able to see new messages in the webmail inbox, while also downloading emails to your computer, you can set your email client to leave a copy of your emails on the server for a specified period of time. However when performing this action, be aware that this setting does not offer the same synchronizing benefits as IMAP.

How do I choose between POP3 and IMAP?

POP was designed for for situations when there is only one and only one desktop computer. Normally these messages are stored/downloaded onto your desktop computer and deleted from the mail server. If you choose to work with your POP email on more than one computer, you may have problems with synchronizing. (Mail archive, if you have one, will be kept on your desktop computer.)

IMAP is designed for the situation where you need to work with your email from multiple computers such as your workstation at work, your personal computer, or/and on a portable laptop. Messages are displayed on your local computer but are kept and stored on the mail server, making accessibility from any location a breeze. You can create subfolders to organize the emails you want to keep, but this will work against your email quota.

Choose IMAP 

1. if you need to access your email, both new and old, from more than one place.
2. use POP, but specify to leave mail in your server.
3. use a synchronizing option

Choose POP

1. if you work with your email from a single location (a single computer)
2. webmail works fine for you if you just want to check email.
3. you regularly backup your email messages, and archive it.

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EVERWORKS is Malaysia's Leading Colocation Hosting, Server Colocation Hosting Services and Mobile Hosting Provider. EVERWORKS offers unique Web & Email Hosting packages which is low-cost, high availability and high performance. Backed with the assurance of industry ready professionals, unmetered data transfers, unlimited POP3 email accounts, 24/7 phone & email support, and a 30 days money back guarantee.

Find out more by contacting EVERWORKS for more information!

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Troubleshoot Outlook

I personally felt that I should write up a post on troubleshooting Microsoft Outlook when it comes to custom email settings for EVERWORKS Email Hosting Solution. Seeing error codes scare me as much as they scare you. This post is short and sweet with easy to follow guides. It should give you a systematic solution; hopefully getting rid of the pesky error message.

Firstly just to be absolutely sure,

when configuring your custom email settings in Microsoft Outlook you should go through "EVERWORKS Email Hosting - Outlook Help" and filter through the steps just to make sure it is right. Sometimes it could be the minor mistakes that cause a lot of complications. Just run through the steps in the post, and see if the error message still pops up!

IMPORTANT NOTE: TELEKOM MALAYSIA HAS BLOCKED PORT 25, AND PORT 25 MAY BE BLOCKED IN YOUR COUNTRY TOO.

If the problem still persists...

If you have already gone through the point above and still have not resolved the error code here are the last few steps you should follow for EVERWORKS technical support to serve you as efficiently as possible:

Step 1

Screenshot the error. Keep a good documentation of the error that you are facing so that you can have something to show and illustrate better to EVERWORKS technical support.

Step 2

Define clearly what you did. Accurate, step by step documentation helps greatly. 

Step 3

Shoot an email to our technical support (including everything inside Step 1 and Step 2 attached within the email), and they will help you with what ever it is you need. 

cvs@everworks.com

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Whenever facing a problem don't panic! You always have EVERWORKS trusty support ready to service your needs and solve the problem together with you!

If this post has helped you greatly please share more about your experiences in the comments section below!

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Set up EVERWORKS Email Hosting - Outlook Help

I have been getting responses from some users to questions as to what you should do in the event that you have already signed up for EVERWORKS Web & Email Hosting solution, and ask, "how do I connect it to Microsoft Outlook on my computer for me to receive emails more efficiently?"

Please take note that after signing up for EVERWORKS Web & Email Hosting solution you are allowed to access to the mail server through two (2) options:

1. Webmail
2. Email software - Microsoft Outlook

Introduction

EVERWORKS defines your mail exchanger record (MX record) - read more on MX records here - through your domain name as "mail.[domain].com" / "mail.[domain].com.my (applying to whichever extension your domain uses).

For example: If I have a domain of "www.hosting.com" EVERWORKS would define my MX Record as "mail.hosting.com" likewise if it was ".org" or ".com.my" or ".my" or etc.

Breakdown of Micrsoft Outlook Mail Information

This is a breakdown of the main list of configurations that needs to be configured in either Microsoft Outlook or Express for retrieving emails:

Outgoing Mail (SMTP) Server: mail.[domain].com
Outgoing Mail (SMTP) Port: 26
Incoming Mail (POP3) Server: mail.[domain].com
Incoming Mail (POP3) Port: 110
*Please take note :- SMTP Authentication is required for POP3 email access using either Microsoft Outlook or Express.

Where to make your changes

As highlighted above in the breakdown you would need to key in the important particulars for Outgoing and Incoming Mail before you can receive any email in either Microsoft Outlook or Express. It seems like a daunting task at first, but if you go through this image below, you will find it to be rather easy, and not as difficult as you may think.

Add an email account with custom settings or when automatic setup doesn't work

If you are setting up Outlook for the first time or you are adding a new email profile and the setup doesn't finish successfully, because it cannot detect the mail server you typed in, there are some things that you can try to get it to work:

You can wait a little while and try again. Sometimes, the destined mail server might just be having a temporary hiccup or an unstable network connection.
If trying again doesn't work, you might have to use custom settings.

Setting up

1. Click File

2. Click Add Account

3. Click Manual Setup or additional server types > next

Please make sure you know EVERWORKS designated  Incoming POP3 and Outgoing SMTP. (**check the earlier brief on the Breakdown of Microsoft Outlook Mail Information)

POP3 account

1. Click Internet Email, and then click Next

2. Under User Information, do the following:

Type your name in the Your Name box.
Type in your email address inside the Email Address box (**{your given designation}.[domain].com make sure to include '@' symbol; for example: nic@hosting.com)
In the Password and Retype Password boxes, type your password.

Important Note: Passwords are case-sensitive. Make sure the Caps Lock key isn't on when you enter your password.

3. Under Server Information, do the following:

In the Account Type list, choose POP3.
In the Incoming Mail Server box, type the full name provided, example: "mail.[domain].com"
In the Outgoing Mail Server box [SMTP], type the full name provided, example: "mail.[domain].com

4. Under the Logon Information, do the following:

In the User Name box, type your user name.
In the Password box, type your password.
Check Remember Password.

Important Note: If you choose to let Outlook remember your password (meaning you won't have to type your password ever again), anyone that  has access to your computer can read or send mail as you.

5. Your email account will require the following additional settings:

SMTP Authentication click more settings. On the Outgoing tab, check My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication. Change the port number to 26.
POP 3 Encryption for POP3 accounts, click More Settings. On the Advanced tab, under Server Port Numbers, under Incoming Server (POP3), check the server requires an encrypted connection (SSL). Change the port number to 110.

Important Note: Outgoing Port 26 and Incoming Port is 110.

6. Click Next

By default, this option verifies your account is working. (If there are any information missing or incorrect, you're prompted to enter or correct it.

7. Click Finish

IMPORTANT NOTE: TELEKOM MALAYSIA HAS BLOCKED PORT 25 FOR SECURITY REASONS, AND PORT 25 MAY BE BLOCKED IN YOUR COUNTRY TOO.

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If there are any other further queries please feel free to contact EVERWORKS 24hour technical support at cvs@everworks.com

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Telekom: Port 25 Blocked

There have been issues regarding the widely used Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, and etc of late. The issue seems to be the blocked port 25.

There is a reason why this port has been blocked. This was done to help reduce spam emails that are received everyday to our mailboxes.

Attached below is an official email from Telekom Malaysia in an official statement to all of its customers:

Dear Valued Customers,

Telekom Malaysia Bhd wishes to inform its customers about TM's initiative in combating spam in its Internet Protocol network to improve our quality of service.

Recently many anti-spam organizations have blacklisted a large number of IP addresses from TM's network. Due to this many of TM's customers have been unable to send emails from their mail servers to companies who might be using database from the above mentioned anti-spam organizations. 

These spamming activities by a small group have affected a large number of our customers, regardless of the nature of their Internet usage.

Therefore, TM is taking immediate action to address this issue. Effective 3/12/2007, TM will block OUTBOUND Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) traffic or port 25 for all out going e-mails from dynamic IP addresses. Only Outbound SMPT traffic from smtp.streamyx.com and smtp.tm.net.my will be allowed.

With this implementation, Streamyx customers who have their own mail server will not be able to send emails. As an alternative TM is providing an open relay server for these customers who use dynamic IP addresses. 

Please be assured that TM is proactively taking all possible measures to ensure that these spamming activities do not reoccur in the future. We seek for your kind cooperation to implement the necessary security measures to protect your computers that are connected to the Internet; from any email abuse, virus infection, spyware or malicious code.

How does this affect Malaysian email users?

Having a preplanned method to prevent more spam is great, but with most applications running on the default port 25, many users and customers will face the issue where they have difficulty sending email out or connecting.

Is there a way to ensure that my custom email with EVERWORKS is running smoothly?

Yes EVERWORKS wants to ensure that our email hosting solution provides you ease of mind and with as little hassle as possible. Find our custom email solution here.

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If you have more to add on this as to why and how this has affected you please feel free to share in the comments section below.

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EVERWORKS Data Center Migration - Quick Checklist

Here is a quick checklist from an EVERWORKS specialist, Wong. He shares with us just what is needed in a brief quick session, if more help is needed contact cvs@everworks.com.

Important Note: EVERWORKS offers clients a 1 week free trial for IDC services (this is a benefit for clients to test out our network routes and connectivity for their applications and hardware). After ensuring that the tests have been carried out accordingly, then will EVERWORKS only prepare a rack space, implement network cabling, and install IP.

Data Center Migration, is quite a mouthful and can be rather intimidating, but here is a quick checklist that we use for new or even existing customers:

1. Schedule a meeting

• There will be a scheduled appointment arranged with you (our customer) to define what are the your requirements, the roles and needed responsibilities.
• Next up is to visit our Data Center (an arranged tour facility), mainly for you to have a look and feel to what you are investing in; power, cooling, security, protection, floor space, technical support, etc.
• A technical team will be built and responsibilities assigned for the particular Migration Project.
• Draw back and conclude, define, and ensure that all areas of required expertise are sufficiently covered.

2. Data Center Site is provided for you to test critical applications and server hardware

Identifiers:

• Rack space placement is prepared, network & internet connectivity is tested, network cabling is carried out, power management, and installation of IP addresses.
• Ensure that your hardware is fully operational.
• Ensure that your critical applications are running without any issues. (If there are any issues, what solution is required)
• Ensure that your networking equipment is fully operational.

Actions:

• Provide solutions for any problems identified thus far.
• Constant communication to ensure that everything is accurately understood between all parties involved.

3. Time-line is prepared and move date determined

• Backups of critical data is performed and verified, before the Migration Project begins.
• Plans for business interruption is put into place. (Time period of server temporary shutdown)
• Moving of all hardware.
• Transportation of hardware.

4. Finalizing Migration

Once the Migration has been completed, everything is checked and an inventory is defined to ensure that everything is in place. 

Your migration should be successful and without any problems by the end of this exercise.

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If you any further inquiries please contact EVERWORKS support at +603-78063550 or cvs@everworks.com

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