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fred1

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How can I secretly verify an email address?

I need a way to verify that an email address is active (i.e. that it is not fictitious -- I don't care if it is not regularly monitored).  I can originate a message, and if it is not active, I will receive an error message response.  But if it is active, my message will be delivered and my identity disclosed.  I know I could create a special email account of my own to use to originate messages, but that, ultimately, is traceable to me.  I need to know how to test whether an email address is active without giving away any clue to my identity to the recipient if it IS active.

Don't worry -- I'm not sending threatening email.  I could use anonymous remailers for that -- and I don't intend to.

Any technical suggestions on ways to "ping" an email address, or accomplish the equivalent (I know "ping" doesn't work, but it's the right concept).

Thanks.
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gurumike

This isn't really an answer, but I was looking through the SMTP spec. about a month ago, and I ran across a VRFY command (or something like that) that will verify an email address.  It is possible to telnet into the recipient's mail server on port 25, then follow SMTP protocols to verify that the recipient's account (or alias) is valid.  You can try searching for "SMTP protocol specification" on Yahoo or Alta Vista.  I think I found it there somewhere.  It's in RFC 852 or something like that.
Also, check this:
http://www.mirabilis.com/download.html
It's ICQ home page.
What about to use a finger client ?
Doh! Of course! Why didn't I think of that?

It is quite possible that the client machine will not be running a finger daemon.

I would also suggest the SMTP VRFY solution, but even then there is a chance that there will be no SMTP daemon either!

In order to cover all bases, I would say that you would have to use both SMTP and POP together.
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czamudio

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czamudio's answer is acceptable, but fails to identify under what circumstances it will not work.