When Asking For Tech Help Isn't Helpful--Like Duh?

Tweet

I got this phone call (my machine picked it up) from Verizon about changes that are going to be made about their email service. It advised going to their special website page to get the full explanation of the changes that will be made and if one has to change from what they call "port25 to "port 587". I'm copying some of the points made at their website: :http://verizon.net/port25 [b] Your Attention Needed: Re-configure Your Email Settings to Send Email[/b] [i]Most common email viruses are sent using port 25 to infect computers. Often times the user never knows their computer has been infected. In order to protect our customers, Verizon has turned off the ability to send email using port 25 for all users other than those using a @verizon.net email address. If you want immediate step-by-step instructions, visit change my port settings to 587 now. What is outbound port 25 blocking? Outbound port 25 blocking is a network configuration change that will prevent computers on the Verizon network from connecting to servers outside of our network. Servers outside the Verizon network use a method commonly employed to send unauthenticated, unsolicited e-mail or “spam”. Why is Verizon blocking outbound port 25? The majority of spam (unsolicited email) on the Internet is caused by malicious software viruses that take control of infected computers. These viruses direct the infected machines to send email through port 25. Verizon takes spam very seriously. Verizon blocks outgoing connections on port 25 to prevent infected computers from being used by spammers to send unsolicited email. Outbound port 25 blocking is a standard industry method to control spam. When will outbound port 25 blocking be implemented? We will begin implementing outbound port 25 blocking in the first quarter of 2009. Will outbound port 25 blocking apply to all Verizon broadband customers? Outbound port 25 blocking will be applied to FIOS and High Speed Internet services that use dynamic IP addresses. If you subscribe to a static IP address service, you will not be affected. Do I have a dynamic IP address? If you have standard residential or business FIOS / High Speed Internet service, you have a dynamic IP address. Static IP packages are sold as an upgraded service. Will I be impacted by port 25 blocking? If you have a dynamic IP address and you use a third party email account to send email from a desktop client such as Outlook®, Outlook Express® or similar programs, you may be affected and should continue to read this notice. If you are using email provided as part of your VErizon service or a web-based email account from another provider, you will not be affected. How do I determine if I am using a third party email account? If your email address is not part of your Verizon FiOS or High Speed Internet Service, and it does NOT end with @verizon.net, you are using a third party account. Do I have to change my Verizon.net email account settings? No. Subscribers using Verizon email services will not be impacted. I am using a third party email account that I access using my web browser. Will I be affected? No. Web-based email services will not be impacted.[/i] This is ONLY part of it...it goes on and on with a lot of double-speak...when clicking on one of the links it gives which email services might be affected, mainly Outlook Express, Outlook, Thunderbird and Entourage (Mac) Thing is I still didn't "get" it and was wondering if Yahoo and Gmail would be affected...according to the "instructions" it indicates no it would, and yet it hints that they will....huh? So I emailed tech support to get a further clarification and understanding what the heck is going on. I get an email back, right? The jerk referred me to THE SAME PAGE that I was questioning. So I'll probably have to wind up emailing tech support at Yahoo, Gmail and calling the Verizon support phone number since I'm still in the dark about what the heck is going on. Okay have any of you contacted a tech support system and got the same pat answer that you were originally questioning...in other words, no help at all?? If any of you can glean some clarification about all this if you're hooked up with Verizon or got the same type of notification about switching "ports" let me know.