Smtptrapd

RFC 2821 compliant SMTP service that always returns a 4xx soft error

The smtptrapd program is a multi-threaded daemon that provides a RFC 2821 compliant SMTP service that always returns a 4xx soft error to the RCPT TO verb. Use it to keep spammers who try to exploit the MX with highest PRI away.

SMTPtrapd is a unique and beneficial port available in FreeBSD which falls under the mail category. FreeBSD, being an efficient Unix-like operating system, offers a multitude of such ports to enhance the functionality of systems. SMTPtrapd, specifically, is a SMTP server intended for mail trap use. The working principle of smtptrapd is simple, as it captures every message sent to it, logs it, and then discards the mail without forwarding the message to the recipient.

Prerequisites

Before you start using this mail trap, ensure that you have FreeBSD properly installed and configured in your system. You should also have some basic knowledge of how SMTP works and simple server configuration.

Installing smtptrapd

To install smtptrapd on FreeBSD, navigate to the mail/smtptrapd/ directory and execute the following command

make install clean

This command installs the smtptrapd port in your system.

Configuring smtptrapd

This is where you set the necessary configurations required for the operation of the mail trap. You can find the configuration file at /usr/local/etc/smtptrapd.conf which you can edit using a text editor of your choice.

vi /usr/local/etc/smtptrapd.conf

Edit the parameters as required and save the file. You may need to set and adjust various parameters depending upon your specific requirements. To save the file and quit the text editor, hit ESC followed by typing wq and hit ENTER.

Starting smtptrapd

To start the smtptrapd service, run the following command

service smtptrapd start

To set smtptrapd to automatically start on system boot, edit /etc/rc.conf file and append

smtptrapd_enable="YES"

The smtptrapd service is now functioning at full capacity on your FreeBSD system. Any emails sent to it are logged and discarded.

SMTPtrapd Logs

All incoming mail logs are stored in /var/log/maillog. You can view this file using any text editor or by using the cat command.

cat /var/log/maillog

Other Ports of Interest

In addition to this, FreeBSD also offers nmap under the category of Security. Nmap, also known as Network Mapper, is a versatile and robust open-source tool for network exploration. It can be used to discover hosts, scan open ports and various other security auditing tasks. You can learn more about nmap [here]https//freebsdsoftware.org/security/nmap.html.

Summary

In essence, smtptrapd is a lightweight and easy-to-use mail trap server that can be useful in various scenarios, for instance, during development and testing. It simplifies your task by capturing all mails, storing logs, and preventing unwanted delivery of those emails. This exceptional functionality of smtptrapd makes it a beneficial addition to your FreeBSD system.

Always remember that FreeBSD offers a multitude of other ports that cater to varying system requirements. Exploring these ports and understanding their usability can add significant value to your system management and operations. And that’s what bridges the gap between good system management and smart system management.

In conclusion, FreeBSD, coupled with efficient ports like smtptrapd and nmap among others, is a powerful and smart choice for system management, providing you with control, efficiency and the room for customization.