4 ms·

I would be tempted to implement a custom SMTP server that accepts every email as if that target mailbox exists and collect them on a nosql db (just for curiosit

I would be tempted to implement a custom SMTP server that accepts every email as if that target mailbox exists and collect them on a nosql db (just for curiosity and technical challenge) though I have no idea if I'd face any legal issues.

deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
NKCSS 10y ago
It's called Catch-All; I have it set up for my Google For Work account (e.g. I have a gmail that receives @my domain). So, you could use gmail to catch all e-mails to @gail.com; no need for a 'custom SMTP server'.
- throwanem 10y ago
  You can also do this with a real MTA; no need for Google, either.
  - NKCSS 10y ago
    I know; was just an example of an available 'Catch-All' solution. Back in the day™ I wrote a C# dll to add the functionality to my Exchange server (was not an option back then; don't know if it's possible out of the box now). There are many solutions once you know what to look for (e.g. the phrase 'Catch-All')
- erdemozg 10y ago
  Thanks for the info. I didn't know it was that easy.
- Cpoll 10y ago
  I wanted this and I couldn't find it, thanks! How much spam do you get from the Catch-All?
tokenizerrr 10y ago
> though I have no idea if I'd face any legal issues. Why would you? It's standard practice to set up a catch-all for your domain and you can just configure postfix to do that.
- paulcole 10y ago
  Ignorance of the law isn't an excuse.
  - tokenizerrr 10y ago
    Right... And your point is? What law would this break? Or are you ignorant of that as well? If so, why even bother replying?
    - Cpoll 10y ago
      I think he means that "why would you?" is not good legal advice. I mean, I agree with you in principle, but I can imagine some backwater judge deciding that Alice Techie was violating the privacy of Bob D. Luddite by accepting emails addressed to bob.d.luddite@alicetechie.com.
      - tokenizerrr 10y ago
        > I think he means that "why would you?" is not good legal advice. It is when it is literally common practice. Similar to if someone were to ask if they'd get in legal trouble for breathing. Why would you?
manmal 10y ago
Or just pretend that you are a gmail mail server and store the credentials that are transmitted when people add the account to their mail app.
- dbbk 10y ago
  Would DMARC not prevent this?
vlucas 10y ago
I made a service that does this ( https://disposeamail.com/ https://disposeamail.com/ ), and I am constantly asking myself if it's worth it. The PostgreSQL database takes up over half the disk space on the VPS I run it on, and that's only after a few months. And of course it's almost all ultra low quality spam.
- vocatus_gate 10y ago
  You're doing the Lord's work, son.
- thinkmilitant 10y ago
  This is a great service/idea. Have you considered a donate button to help support it?
  - tokenizerrr 10y ago
    http://www.mailinator.com/ http://www.mailinator.com/ is probably better. They have a ton of domain aliases, see their homepage.

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]

NKCSS 10y ago

It's called Catch-All; I have it set up for my Google For Work account (e.g. I have a gmail that receives @my domain). So, you could use gmail to catch all e-mails to @gail.com; no need for a 'custom SMTP server'.

throwanem 10y ago
You can also do this with a real MTA; no need for Google, either.
- NKCSS 10y ago
  I know; was just an example of an available 'Catch-All' solution. Back in the day™ I wrote a C# dll to add the functionality to my Exchange server (was not an option back then; don't know if it's possible out of the box now). There are many solutions once you know what to look for (e.g. the phrase 'Catch-All')
erdemozg 10y ago
Thanks for the info. I didn't know it was that easy.
Cpoll 10y ago
I wanted this and I couldn't find it, thanks! How much spam do you get from the Catch-All?

tokenizerrr 10y ago

> though I have no idea if I'd face any legal issues. Why would you? It's standard practice to set up a catch-all for your domain and you can just configure postfix to do that.

paulcole 10y ago
Ignorance of the law isn't an excuse.
- tokenizerrr 10y ago
  Right... And your point is? What law would this break? Or are you ignorant of that as well? If so, why even bother replying?
  - Cpoll 10y ago
    I think he means that "why would you?" is not good legal advice. I mean, I agree with you in principle, but I can imagine some backwater judge deciding that Alice Techie was violating the privacy of Bob D. Luddite by accepting emails addressed to bob.d.luddite@alicetechie.com.
    - tokenizerrr 10y ago
      > I think he means that "why would you?" is not good legal advice. It is when it is literally common practice. Similar to if someone were to ask if they'd get in legal trouble for breathing. Why would you?

manmal 10y ago

Or just pretend that you are a gmail mail server and store the credentials that are transmitted when people add the account to their mail app.

dbbk 10y ago
Would DMARC not prevent this?

vlucas 10y ago

I made a service that does this ( https://disposeamail.com/ https://disposeamail.com/ ), and I am constantly asking myself if it's worth it. The PostgreSQL database takes up over half the disk space on the VPS I run it on, and that's only after a few months. And of course it's almost all ultra low quality spam.

vocatus_gate 10y ago
You're doing the Lord's work, son.
thinkmilitant 10y ago
This is a great service/idea. Have you considered a donate button to help support it?
- tokenizerrr 10y ago
  http://www.mailinator.com/ http://www.mailinator.com/ is probably better. They have a ton of domain aliases, see their homepage.