Access Keys:
Skip to content (Access Key - 0)

What does the error "beader hobo" mean in a bounce message?

A message to an MIT address which is returned to the sender with a message saying "beader hobo" is caused by a malformed Message-ID field in the header. The Message-ID field is a unique identifier for each message, which enables tracking of that message.

A valid message ID has an identifier, then an @ sign, and then a machine name, like so:

Message-Id: <200201161826.NAA28858@gaston.mit.edu>

The official protocols on the construction of mail messages define the requirements for this format. Unfortunately, a misconfigured mail program or ISP may send out mail with bad Message-IDs, often without the machine name:

Message-Id: <200201161826.NAA28858@>

While some ISPs do not check for a malformed Message-ID header, MIT does, and bounces mail with a bad Message-ID field, with the "beader hobo" message.

IS&T Contributions

Documentation and information provided by IS&T staff members


Last Modified:

February 23, 2009

Get Help

Request help
from the Help Desk
Report a security incident
to the Security Team
Labels:
olc-mail olc-mail Delete
bounce bounce Delete
message message Delete
error error Delete
beader beader Delete
hobo hobo Delete
error-message error-message Delete
Enter labels to add to this page:
Please wait 
Looking for a label? Just start typing.
Feedback
This product/service is:
Easy to use
Average
Difficult to use

This article is:
Helpful
Inaccurate
Obsolete
Adaptavist Theme Builder (4.2.3) Powered by Atlassian Confluence 3.5.13, the Enterprise Wiki