too many syntax or protocol errors ????

[Cash]

i can see below mesage running everyday when i tail -f /var/log/exim_mainlog



2005-07-19 11:35:59 SMTP call from (host2.my-server-name.com) [127.0.0.1] dropped: too many syntax or protocol errors (last command was "rcpt TO:<???rtf@xavax.comi???s???sirweldon>")
2005-07-19 11:36:23 SMTP call from (host2.my-server-name.com) [127.0.0.1] dropped: too many syntax or protocol errors (last command was "rcpt TO:<???rtf@xavax.comi???s???sirweldon>")
2005-07-19 11:36:43 SMTP call from (host2.my-server-name.com) [127.0.0.1] dropped: too many syntax or protocol errors (last command was "rcpt TO:<???rtf@xavax.comi???s???sirweldon>")


Anybody can tell m what's wrong?

[chirpy]

Usually happens when someone is manually trying to enter SMTP commands on port 25 and they have itchy fingers. Bsically, it means that whatever is connecting to your SMTP port(s) is using the wrong commands. Either what I said before, or some sort of port probe.