MilNet UK - Internet Service Provider for UK Armed Forces

We are only charging for access to the server from other ISPs, eg broadband. Subscribers who do not use our 0845 dial up number, generate us no income. So, when the numbers using broadband became sugnificant a few years ago, we decided to make a small charge for the use of our mail server. (Currently from £2 per month, or £20 per year). Rest assured that the some of the profit from the email service also goes towards our donations to service charities.

Q2. I am nervous about using my credit card on the internet, or I don't have a credit card with which to pay. Can I send you a cheque/postal order/cash through the post?

We are always willing to accept money in any form! BUT, because we will have to set up your account manually, we cannot do this on a month by month basis, The minimum time we can mannually set up a mailbox for is one year. Please make your cheque payable to "MilNet UK", and send it to MilNet UK Ltd, Box 4111, Blandford, Dorset DT117YH. Please ensure that you include a note of the email address you wish to be upgraded. Please include an SSAE if you require a paper receipt.

Q3. Will I get a warning when my Free Trial Month is up?

Yes, we will email you one week, and also a few days before and after your mailbox is due to revert to the Basic level. If you wish to continue using you mainbox you have two choices:

If you are using the MilNet 0845 number to connect your computer to the internet, you need do nothing, just ignore the warning message
If you are using another ISP (eg broadband) to connect to the internet, then you must pay a subscription (£2 per month, or £20 per year). Simply log onto you account using the webmail system, and press the 'Pay' button, and pay online using most popular credit/debit cards.

Q4. I have having difficulty receiving mail. I can get it OK when I am connected to the internet via the MilNet 0845 number, but if I use another connection method (eg broadband line) I just cannot get my email. I get an error message about something called g_access_group.

Our policy is that the mail server is free for users who use our 0845 dial up number. Other users (eg broadband ADSL) may use the mail service for free for one month, thereafter they must pay small charge for its use (currently £2 per month or £20 per year).

Q5. I am running anti-virus software (eg Nortons) to scan incoming emails, and am having difficulties in receiving mail from the new server when using Outlook.

Our first comment is "How very sensible you are in running a virus checker!!). But to get to the point (!); most virus checkers replace the entry in the Incoming POP3 server box with something like "127.0.0.1" or "pop3.norton.antivirus". The easiest way to deal with this when migrating to the new server is to temporarily disable the anti virus software, amend the POP3 server entry in outlook, then re-enable the anti virus software.

Q6. I am having problems sending mail. Whats happening and what should I do?

If you have subscribed (paid), or have just set up an email address, or you are using the MilNet 0845 number to connect your computer to the internet, you should use the standard (SMTP) server, eg tmail.milnet.uk.net. Our system will only accept emails from your MilNet email address, If you have another, non MilNet, email account set up in Outlook, then you must use the smtp server provided by the ISP associated with that email address

Our SMTP server requires authentication which can be done in Outlook by ticking the box which says "My server requires authentication". log on using Secure Password Authentication". (This is under Tools/Accounts; select account, hit properties, select "Servers" Tab). Furthermore, the settings required are "Use same settings as my incoming mail"; this is normally he default option.

Q7. How do I access the Antispam features of the Email Service?

You must logon using one of the "Modern" templates, and press the "Spam" button. This will display the logon for our Spam control panel. The first time you attempt to log onto the control panel, you need to register, using the "Need to activate your account" link. WHen choosing a password, we suggest that you use the same one already chossen for you email account. Then follow the instructions on the screen.

Q8. After I set up a new email address I understand that I have a free monthl, after which I am automatically downgraded to the basic level. Can I upgrate at any time back to premium?

Yes. Your account will remain usable (but only if accessing the internet via the MilNet UK 0845 dial in number) after it is downgraded to the basic level. You can upgrade at any time, but your account will be removed if it is not accessed for a total period of 90 days. Regardless of which level you are at, you retain the same email address. The only way you can loose it is if you delete it yourself, or fail to access it (either via webmail or POP3) for a continuous period of 90 days.

Q9. Whats the difference between the three WebMail templates, "Rock", "Modern", etc.

The template labelled "Rock" id the original one taken into use some years ago, and is retained for those users who do not wish to change. The 'Modern' templates are just that, more modern, with extra features. Also offered are versions of the "Modern" template with different colours, and larger text for those who wish to use them. You can change which template you use at any time before you login.

Q10.

Q11. I am having problems connecting to the mail server via my Outlook Express (or other email client software). I am using antivirus/antispam software on my computer.

In most cases its the antivirus/antispam software that is actually connecting to the server, so just changing/adding the entry in Outlook (or other client software package) may not do the trick. This is particular so in Northon's Antivirus. One way round is to disable the antivirus/antispam software BEFORE making the change to Outlook (etc). Then re-enabling the antivirus/antispam software immeadiately after making the change. In extremis, try uninstalling the antivirus/antspam software, making the change, then reinstalling it.

Q12. I am trying to use the new server to SEND my email, but I dont seem to be able to connect to it. I am either on my one month trial, am connected to the internet cia the MilNet 0845 number, or I have paid.

First of all, see the answer to Q11 above which might apply. Also note that in order to use our SMTP server, you must use authentication. Eg in Outlook go to Tools / Mail/ highlight account / Properties / choose Servers tab / check the box "My server requires authentication". You should use the same settings (username and password) as your POP3 account .

Q13. I am having difficulty sending an attached file, or I have received a suspicious attachment which I think might have come from the system administrator or webmaster of my domain

One of the most common ways for a computer virus to be transmitted is by email file attachment. To help prevent the spread of viruses, we block certain file types before they enter the MilNet email system. Please note that the list below is not definitive, and you should always be on your guard as spammers tactics change. Please let us know if you receive a suspicious looking file attached to an email, above all DONT OPEN IT if you have any suspicions about its origin.

- We block all files with the following extensions

*.exe (Program)
*.bat (Batch file)
*.cmd (Microsoft Windows NT Command script)
*.com (Microsoft MS-DOS program)
*.js (JScript file)
*.msi (Microsoft Windows Installer package)
*.pif (Shortcut to MS-DOS program)
*.vbe (VBScript Encoded script file)
*.vbs (VBScript file)
*.wsh (Windows Script Host Settings file )
*.wsf (Windows Script file)

We block the following specific files if attached to a message, they are typically generated by spammers who attempt to persuade addresses of their messages to open the attachments which contain viruses or trojans.

PayPal.zip
email-info.zip
email-doc.zip
account-details.zip
info-text.zip
body.zip
your_details.zip
document_full.zip
creditcard.zip

Q14. How do I change the password of my account, and other options.

This is done by use of the Option Panel. Logonto your account using webmail, and press the "Options" button. There are more options to choose from in the "Modern" templates than in the old "Rock" one.

Q15. Please tell me more about the anti spam service. Can I look at the quarantined messages, just to check that no genuine ones have been quarantined ?

Log onto your account using webmail after choosing oneof the "Modern" templates. Then select the button labelled "Spam". You then need to reister to use the Spam facilities (which are outsourced) by clicking on the "Need to activate you account" link. When you have completed this process, you can choose various options, including one that will email you a daily digest of messages considered to be Spam, or you can view them directly on the web. You can release them, or notify the aintispam servce that the email is in fact NOT spam.

Q16. I positively KNOW that someone has sent me an email, but it hasnt arrived.

See the answers to Q7 and Q15 above.