I get an alert box that says:

"An error occurred while sending mail. The mail server responded: See http://pobox.com/~djb/docs/smtplf.html..Please check the message and try again."

The only option is to click ok and the email doesn't get sent. Anyway I can figure out how to stop this from happening??

Hi Shoalbear, well... The only things I can think of are: either you're using an email client that sends (like the info under that link states) linefeeds without a preceding carriage return - something which may indicate old or buggy email client software - or that whatever generates the alert box is triggered in error.

I also suppose it would be more helpful if you'd indicate where that alert box pops up - i.e., what email client or method you use.

I use Thunderbird on WinXP.

The alert pops up in an alert box. It looks like a regular Microsoft alert box, and I don't know if it was programmed into the Tbird application, but I think it must be....

Yeah, I owe you an apology - you've put the app you use right in the topic of your post here, I must've been distracted or something.

Well, because it happens when you send mail, I'll suggest this starting point for troubleshooting:
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Connection_errors_-_SMTP

That page sagely advises to pay very close attention to the exact error message TBird gives - if you use version 2 like I do, it's not exactly verbose and clear in its error messaging.

There is, however, a distinct possibility that your problem stem from your SMTP server (the one you use for outgoing mail) taking a peek into what you're sending. Have you, by any chance, in your KnujOn options (TBird menu "Tools > KnujOn Extentsion Options") selected the "Forward spam contents inline (instead of as attachments)" check box? If so, try removing that check, and see what happens (as you're more prone to having SMTP server red flag issues with it selected, given that the server will treat the "spam attachments" as part of your message). Sending it as "attachments" solved similar problems for me, when I started using GMail as my outgoing server to forward spam to KnujOn.

What I typed is the exact message that shows in the alert box. I am sending the emails using the yahoo smtp, and am definitely sending them as attachments, not inline.

Hrm. I dropped out of using Yahoo precisely because they're too boneheaded/hamfisted to my liking. Good people, but offering an AOL type product: you can have it in any color you like, as long as it's their's.

Try instead setting up a GMail account with access via POP (or IMAP if you must) and sending it from there.

The point of collaborating in a project like KnujOn's is to fight back spam (more precisely, the real-world crimes that hide behind that annoying tidal smokescreen) and that also means having to engage in sending "unusual" type messages - lots of them. So, if Yahoo gives you a headache, try switching to a different mail service for your forwarding of spam (I'm of course not suggesting to switch mail servers for your regular mail).

On the other hand, there's also the "white hat" approach: call Yahoo's tech support, explain what you're doing (i.e., forwarding tons of spam via their service) and see what they suggest - I'm not too confident they're of any real use (they handle a lot of volume) but it can't hurt to raise the fact that services like KnujOn do exist - and that their "policy" (a legalese word for "we'd rather be lazy than actually think and be effective and agile") stands in the way.

Great idea! I already do have a gmail account, just am so used to sending from the yahoo, since it is the one that uses my domain address. Will try the gmail option...of course, I haven't had this problem since I posted here

Before I forget: if you use a different mail server (through a different email account) make sure you register that sending address via your KnujOn report page (there's a field where you can indicate a different email address to send the reports to, but it's my understanding that it also serves to identify that other email address to KnujOn as the "legit" address to expect forwarded spam from).

How do I do that??

Erm... That's only applicable if/when you have a special KnujOn reporting address, that is.

And you get that when you have a Personal Client Account (in my humble opinion, very much worth the $27/yr). If you haven't considered that, check the possibility of the FREE personal client account - I think it's a great way to wet your toes and see what the personalized reporting / service option gets you, before deciding on the paid service (again, I think it's up there with sliced bread, but there's nothing like comparing and parsing your own experience).

Else, use the generic public reporting address, in which case my remark about "registering" your email address is irrelevant. (Explanation: if you have a personal reporting address, to which you forward your spam, KnujOn needs to know from which email you'll be submitting - i.e. to be sure that "personal" reporting address isn't getting "free rides" from others, perhaps even spammers, which both skews and skewers the whole point of the reporting process).

Yes, I have a personal address to report to, but I don't know how to 'log in' to Knujon to change a reporting address or anything else. Any hints you can give are greatly appreciated.

You don't "login" to knujon, you simply "forward" your spam to the alias/address they gave you when you registered.