How to Set Restrictions on a Distribution Group

In Exchange Server 2003, you can restrict who can send e-mail messages to a distribution list. Restricting submissions on a distribution list prevents non-trusted senders, such as unauthorized Internet users, from sending mail to an internal-only distribution list. For example, an All Employees distribution list should not be available to anyone outside the company (by spoofing or otherwise).

Consider setting restrictions on your internal distribution lists that pertain to full-time employees and other internal groups. By taking this action, you protect these distribution lists from receiving spam and restrict any anonymous users from sending to these distribution lists.

Before You Begin

Before you perform the procedure in this topic, read Securing Your Exchange Server.

The following permissions are required to perform this procedure:

• Member of the local administrators group and a member of a group that has had the Exchange Administrators role applied at the organizational level

Procedure

To set restrictions on a distribution list

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft Exchange, and then click Active Directory Users and Computers.

2. Expand your organizational unit container, and then click Users or the container in which the distribution list resides.

3. In the details pane, right-click the distribution list for which you want to restrict submissions, and then click Properties.

4. In <Distribution List> Properties, click the Exchange General tab.

5. Under Message Restrictions, under Accept messages, select one of the following options:

   • Select the From authenticated users only check box to allow only authenticated users to send mail to the selected distribution list. If you select this check box, the following options are implemented as such:

   • Click From everyone to allow authenticated users to send mail to the selected distribution list.

   • Click Only from to specify a select set of authenticated users or groups that can send messages to the selected distribution list. Click Add to specify the users or groups you want to allow to send messages to this distribution list.

   • Click From everyone except to allow all authenticated users but a select set to send to the selected distribution list. Click Add to specify the list of users or groups that you do not want to allow to send messages to this distribution list.

6. Leave From authenticated users only cleared. If you leave this check box cleared, the following options are implemented as such:

   • Click From everyone to allow anyone to send messages to the selected distribution list. This includes anonymous users from the Internet.

   • Click Only from to specify a select set of users or groups that can send messages to the selected distribution list. Click Add to specify the users or groups you want to allow to send messages to this distribution list.

   • Click From everyone except to allow everyone but a select set of users or groups to send to the selected distribution list. Click Add to specify the list of users or groups you do not want to allow to send messages to this distribution list. These users or groups can be authenticated users or anonymous users.