Telnet to google mail server

Question

I want to use telnet to google mail server on linux. I want to send mail using SMTP. But it is not able to do so. I am using this command.

telnet alt4.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com 25

But it says

Trying 209.85.220.19...

After some time, it gives time out. Does anyone knows how to do it?

Answer 1

It connects for me too. I think the most likely reason is that your ISP is blocking your external access to port 25. This is a common and sensible thing to do because SMTP from end-user PCs is a significant source of spam.

You may be able to talk your provider into opening the port up for you, or you can use a proxy server out on the 'net, or you can use a different service, such as SSMTP (?) which connects over a secure channel using a different port.