wrote: Up until a few days ago I could use my valid RoadRunner email account to sent messages through the RoadRunner SMTP server using a fat-client email program when NOT connected to Spectrum internet. Suddenly this no longer works; I get 554 connection rejected.
I know that some email service providers prohibit this. I've also seen older threads indicating that people seem to believe that RoadRunner was prohibiting it months or years ago. That is not the case. This was working for me just fine until approximately a week ago.
I can use the webmail, I just don't like it. I cannot in good conscience substitute my work email SMTP server to send personal messages, even if that system would let me use a "from" address that is not in that email network, which I doubt. Further, there is no legitimate "security" reason to deny this kind of access to people who have legitimate RoadRunner email accounts.
Being able to use a fat email client outside the network is actually a security benefit, because the password can be securely encrypted and stored within the client software so the user doesn't have to type it to access email. if the user gets keylogger malware on the system, it can't steal the password. Since webmail requires typing the password for each access, it is more vulnerable to keyloggers than fat client systems.
RoadRunner/Spectrum should restore my ability to use its SMTP server to send messages from my valid RoadRunner account regardless of what internet service provider I am using at the time.
Ken,
I stopped using any ISP based emai providers years ago. Roadrunner is too out-of date. I would recommend switching to any webmail provider. Gmail, YahooMail, even Outlook.com. Than get one (and only one web-blocker for each of your web-browsers, as more than one can conflict. I recommend Ad-Block Plus to block the banner ads.
Not only will get better security, you will be able to use that email account across any devices with a web-browser and Internet connection. Outlook.com will give you a Microsoft account with basic MS Office functionality called Microsoft Office Online, does about 80% of the paid MS Office versions and is free. Gmail from Google will give you access to Google Drive, which is it's own free online Office Suite integrated with Gmail. Yahoo Mail doesn't have an Office suite counterpart, but is still very good. Don't use Roadrunner, it's too out of date and lacks essential modern security features.
Satch