Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Hosting : Box Trapper Phobia

[Mrs_Esterhouse]

Why are so many web hosting companies afraid of using Box Trapper for their shared accounts? Most allow its use for VPS accounts but forbid it with shared...

What's the problem with allowing Box Trapper? I find it invaluable.

[David]

Can't imagine why a hosting co. would prevent a user from wielding it, though I find it useless myself

[Steven]

It's because the common CSF firewall that most hosts use has a warning in it and they turn it off:

Having boxtrapper enabled can very easily lead to your server being listed in common RBLs and usually has the effect of increasing the overall spam load, not reducing it. You should disable it in WHM > Tweak Settings > BoxTrapper Spam Trap

[Mrs_Esterhouse]

Originally Posted by Steven

It's because the common CSF firewall that most hosts use has a warning in it and they turn it off:

So, it's more or less a knee-jerk reaction to the warning message.

Box Trapper reduced my spam 100%. I can't live without it!

[FernGullyGraphics]

Originally Posted by Mrs_Esterhouse

So, it's more or less a knee-jerk reaction to the warning message.

Box Trapper reduced my spam 100%. I can't live without it!

Box Trapper is actually a very poor program that causes more problems than it solves. Often times leading to the servers IP being black listed. Personally, I dont know why any provider would want to use it. You can eliminate 80% of your spam using correct configurations + spam assassin.

[Mrs_Esterhouse]

Originally Posted by FernGullyGraphics

Box Trapper is actually a very poor program that causes more problems than it solves. Often times leading to the servers IP being black listed. Personally, I dont know why any provider would want to use it. You can eliminate 80% of your spam using correct configurations + spam assassin.

Yeah, but Box Trapper gets you to 100% spam elimination. I wouldn't want to stay at 80%.

[FernGullyGraphics]

Originally Posted by Mrs_Esterhouse

Yeah, but Box Trapper gets you to 100% spam elimination. I wouldn't want to stay at 80%.

On the contrary though, if you use box trapper you will probably end up getting your mail server IP black listed and then you wont be able to send out email to anyone except people on your server.

[Mrs_Esterhouse]

Originally Posted by FernGullyGraphics

On the contrary though, if you use box trapper you will probably end up getting your mail server IP black listed and then you wont be able to send out email to anyone except people on your server.

Why would it get blacklisted for sending out user verification emails?

[FernGullyGraphics]

Originally Posted by Mrs_Esterhouse

Why would it get blacklisted for sending out user verification emails?

Because most spammers spoof email addresses with either A.) Fake accounts that do not exist or B.) Accounts that do exist. If they are spoofing and your box-trapper sends out a verification email to the user (who does not know who you are). Will likely mark your email as spam or their firewall/anti spam system will. In effect, by trying to prevent spam, you actually become a spammer your-self (which leads to your mail server IP being blocked).

[Mrs_Esterhouse]

Originally Posted by FernGullyGraphics

Because most spammers spoof email addresses with either A.) Fake accounts that do not exist or B.) Accounts that do exist. If they are spoofing and your box-trapper sends out a verification email to the user (who does not know who you are). Will likely mark your email as spam or their firewall/anti spam system will. In effect, by trying to prevent spam, you actually become a spammer your-self (which leads to your mail server IP being blocked).

So, both HostGator and BlueHost have been using Box Trapper for years. Last I checked neither host was blacklisted...

[FernGullyGraphics]

Originally Posted by Mrs_Esterhouse

So, both HostGator and BlueHost have been using Box Trapper for years. Last I checked neither host was blacklisted...

That is an incorrect statement HG and BlueHost mail servers get black listed all the time. Now is that happening specifically because they have box trapper enabled? Cant say 100%, but im sure its not helping. Im actually rather surprised to hear HG and BlueHost (or any host) still has box trapper enabled (as mentioned earlier, its rather obsolete). Not only does box trapper create spam issues, it also eats up a huge amount of resources. All to block spam which can easily be blocked by using proper spam filter setting.

[DanJo]

Originally Posted by FernGullyGraphics

Box Trapper is actually a very poor program that causes more problems than it solves. Often times leading to the servers IP being black listed. Personally, I dont know why any provider would want to use it. You can eliminate 80% of your spam using correct configurations + spam assassin.

As I go through the entire convo, you are right with the statement. +1 thumb up
meanwhile, you guy can approach HG or bluehost for this programmes to clarify whether they are still using on it or not. I believe the answer will be ......

[Dan541]

Box Trapper spews spam. I get challenge responses to emails that I never sent. Even with my SPF records set to hard fail. In my opinion it's just spam.

[Mrs_Esterhouse]

Originally Posted by DanJo

As I go through the entire convo, you are right with the statement. +1 thumb up
meanwhile, you guy can approach HG or bluehost for this programmes to clarify whether they are still using on it or not. I believe the answer will be ......

HostGator:
http://support.hostgator.com/article...ail/boxtrapper

My mistake on BlueHost. They are using "SpamHammer".

[Mrs_Esterhouse]

Arvixe also uses Box Trapper:

http://www.arvixe.com/linux_web_hosting