Recommended reading for cynics:

http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2304739,00.html

At 06:02 AM 8/20/01, Jon Schewe wrote:
>You are way over my head, technically. But this group (TCLUG) is full of
>experts.
>
>But I do know ATT is not stupid. They have given you their defense for
>what you have discovered. And you have discovered they filter internet
>access; for whatever reason, to whatever degree. My hat's off to you.
>
>A recent posting discussed the possibility that M$ was allowing viruses
>and worms in their OS. This, in order to justify trying to supplant
>TCP/IP with a proprietary internet system. Such might be the case here. A
>little cynicism is very healthy.
>
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Original Message <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>
>On 8/19/01, 6:48:05 PM, Jon Schewe <jpschewe at mtu.net> wrote regarding Re Re
>[TCLUG] AT&T filtering sites at 3.sdm.sdm:
>
>
> > Yes, that's what they said, clearly not understanding the problem.
>Here's the
> > quote
> > --start quote--
> > Thank you for writing AT&T BroadBand Cable Internet Services regarding
> > the Internet service and Port 80.  I apologize for any inconvenience
> > which you have experienced with our filter on Port 80.
>
> > NOTE: We do not block your access to sites such as www.yahoo.com or any
> > others.
>
> > It has been confirmed that a block will remain in effect (for reasons
> > related to the Code Red worm) until AT&T BroadBand feels it is safe to
> > remove it.  This has been done to protect the network and we have no way
> > of removing it or getting it removed, at this point in time.
>
> > Please refer to the following section of the Terms and Conditions which
> > are applicable to this issue:
>
> > Section 10.9 You agree that AT&T and ServiceCo shall each have the right
> > to take any action that either AT&T or ServiceCo deems appropriate to
> > protect the Road Runner Service, its facilities and equipment.
> > --end quote--
>
> > This shows they're filtering inbound traffic, but (supposedly) not
>outbound
> > traffic.
>
> > After this message I sent back a clear example where I explain telnetting
>to
> > port 80 to check the connection.  After that I got back a message that
>they're
> > looking into the matter, which is probably the best response I've gotten
>out
> > of them all weekend.  Now we'll see if they really are looking into it.
>
>
> > Rick Engebretson <eng at pinenet.com> writes:
>
> > > Please be more clear. Did AT&T say to you (in essence), "We're filtering
> > > access to port 80, that's why its not working??" (FYI I am NOT a lawyer.)
> > >
> > > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Original Message <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
> > >
> > > On 8/18/01, 10:03:54 PM, Jon Schewe <jpschewe at mtu.net> wrote regarding Re
> > > [TCLUG] AT&T filtering sites at 3.sdm:
> > >
> > >
> > > > Well I wrote AT&T "tech support" last night.  I've actually gotten a
> > > couple of
> > > > messages back.  First one is the standard, reinstall TCP 
> drivers.  Wrote
> > > back
> > > > that won't make a difference, I can connecto to SOME sites.  So 
> they ask
> > > for
> > > > traceroutes to the sites, I don't think this will help, but it at least
> > > shows
> > > > a little more knowledge.  So I send them along.  I get back, we're
> > > filtering
> > > > access to port 80, that's why it's not working.  Man are some 
> people just
> > > > stupid or what?
> > >