# Trump Tower has a direct server connection to a Russia bank **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 31, 2016, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309 "2016-10-31T22:32:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/61 "2016-11-03T01:29:54Z")
> [@Frankenstein\_Monster](#): > > I don’t think it behaves oddly at all. I think it shows that that server is smartly and securely configured and that Listrak is a well run, competent operation. No, it’s a dumb, amateurish config. If you’re going to block a service from other computers, there’s no reason to let them access the port in the first place. Restrict at the application after the firewall as an additional check, but the firewall is your first place to restrict access. > [@Frankenstein\_Monster](#): > > What I think happens is that the SMTP server performs a reverse DNS lookup on the incoming connection and then perhaps further validations (e.g. DNS MX lookup, existence of SPF) on the incoming domain. > > Those are smart security checks, very easy to code in the SMTP server but not so straightforward, if not impossible as firewall rules AFAIK. It’s not doing any of those checks, from what I can see. We didn’t get to where it would know any of the information to even _do_ an MX or SPF or what’s normally accepted as a complete PTR lookup, because we hadn’t hit the HELO/EHLO exchange, much less the From: exchange. The box I was connecting from is a properly configured mail server, anyway. This server appears to 86 the connection based on the connecting IP only. That implies that it has a list of IPs that are allowed to connect to it, and I’m not on it. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/62 "2016-11-03T05:32:43Z")
> [@Frankenstein\_Monster](#): > > … Now let’s have a look at the **complete** whois record for “Donald Trump”: > > ```auto > > ... > Registrant Fax Ext: > **Registrant Email: emcmullin@cendyn.com**... > > ``` > > See the bolded e-mail addresses? > … Wait, what the fuck? Evan McMullin? The guy who might win Utah’s electors? odd ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/63 "2016-11-03T05:47:58Z")
Except that the name of the admin is listed two lines down: “Emily McMullin” who apparently lives in Boca Raton, which is where Cendyn is located. I have no opinion if Cendyn was abusing the Trump name in the service of spam or if they are fronting for Trump’s people but not seeing how the email address name means a dang thing in any way whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/64 "2016-11-03T05:56:23Z")
It’s quite a common name – there are 11 Emily McMullins on LinkedIn – this particular one is VP of interactive design & development at Cendyn, which appears to be an Internet marketing company. I doubt she’s any relation to the Utah dude. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/65 "2016-11-03T05:57:34Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Wait, what the fuck? Evan McMullin? The guy who might win Utah’s electors? > > odd Well, the name says “Emily McMullin”, but it might be one of Evan’s moms or something, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Frankenstein\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ccd318/32.png) [@Frankenstein\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frankenstein_Monster)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/66 "2016-11-03T09:00:33Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > No, it’s a dumb, amateurish config. You’re right, I spoke too soon. On second thought, I agree with your opinion on this config. Still doesn’t mean this is a super secret chatserver between Trump and Putin to exchange shirtless pics and atom bomb plans (carefully disguised to look like an amateurish email server!) Also, [this](http://www.cendynone.com/about-us/) Emily McMullin? ---
**Author:** ![Frankenstein\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ccd318/32.png) [@Frankenstein\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frankenstein_Monster)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/67 "2016-11-03T09:12:09Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > I have no opinion if Cendyn was abusing the Trump name in the service of spam or if they are fronting for Trump’s people but not seeing how the email address name means a dang thing in any way whatsoever. I assume you understood my explanation of why the e-mail is important? My point was that here’s a guy/gal blatantly trying to mislead us, not somebody innocently concluding Trump has something to do with these servers. ---
**Author:** ![Frankenstein\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ccd318/32.png) [@Frankenstein\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frankenstein_Monster)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/68 "2016-11-03T09:47:51Z")
The scammer **could** have said, “Look people! Trump! It says Trump right here! Well actually it says Cendyn, but Cendyn = Trump! Connect the dot, people!” Instead (s)he carefully manipulated out the Cendyn angle. It’s almost as if this was made to be debunked. I’m starting to feel silly already. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/69 "2016-11-03T15:28:55Z")
> [@Frankenstein\_Monster](#): > > You’re right, I spoke too soon. On second thought, I agree with your opinion on this config. Still doesn’t mean this is a super secret chatserver between Trump and Putin to exchange shirtless pics and atom bomb plans (carefully disguised to look like an amateurish email server!) Oh yeah, it doesn’t look nefarious, just not a very thoughtful config. I am largely of the opinion that since the server’s reported behavior changed as soon as it was asked about, it’s IP and/or domain were then assigned to a different server. So, we’re not looking at the server that was involved in the original behavior. If that config makes sense for anyone, it’s a spammer. Which brings me to whether the Cendyn (who appear to be bulk mailers\*, if not spammers) angle means much. It doesn’t mean much for or against the supposed story. The e-mail address that is in the registration doesn’t signify that the person actually manages the DNS for or owns the domain. For all we know, the registration was used for the email campaign, then handed over after it was complete. Plus, I’ve seen lots of completely useless contact info in whois lookups. \*Generally defined as a spammer who will stop if asked. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/70 "2016-11-03T16:45:38Z")
> [@Frankenstein\_Monster](#): > > It’s almost as if this was made to be debunked. I’m starting to feel silly already. Or intended to neuter criticism a la the Dan Rather papers. Get people worked up about a potential link to Russia, then show that that link is false \*et voila \*- any other accusations of links to Russia can be presumed to be false no matter what the actual evidence. [FTR the above is idle speculation, not a thing I am claiming is definitely true.] ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/71 "2016-11-03T17:05:32Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Or intended to neuter criticism a la the Dan Rather papers. Get people worked up about a potential link to Russia, then show that that link is false \*et voila \*- any other accusations of links to Russia can be presumed to be false no matter what the actual evidence. > > [FTR the above is idle speculation, not a thing I am claiming is definitely true.] I think the simpler, and likelier explanation, is simply that libs got worked up over nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/72 "2016-11-03T18:36:43Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I think the simpler, and likelier explanation, is simply that libs got worked up over nothing. Maybe we should hold eight Congressional investigations into it. Just to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/73 "2017-05-28T23:57:24Z")
Bump… I was thinking about this server tonight, decided to read what the Straight Dope had to say about it, and I’m glad I did. This thread is completely fascinating from a viewpoint of six months later. Any of the original posters care to update their thoughts on this story? I was wondering about the possibility that this server is what Kushner needed to replace when he asked the Russians to set up a covert communications channel. When he realized he and Pops were going to office at the White House, other arrangements had to be made to maintain a secure channel to Russia, now that the Trump Tower server was no longer available. I mean, Jared wanted to set up the covert channel in December. What’s to say he wasn’t trying to replace something he was going to lose? Pure speculation, but this story has gotten a lot more important since the WaPo revelations this past Friday. Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/74 "2017-05-29T00:16:56Z")
I have little doubt that this is part of the story. One of the most interesting parts, is that there was a third party on this little communication channel, Spectrum Health. Owned by the Devos family. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/75 "2017-05-29T00:24:05Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Spectrum Health. Owned by the Devos family. I don’t think this is true. They’re major donors, to the point of having the children’s hospital named after matriarch Helen, but I don’t think they own it. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/76 "2017-05-29T00:26:55Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > I have little doubt that this is part of the story. One of the most interesting parts, is that there was a third party on this little communication channel, Spectrum Health. Owned by the Devos family. It does make you wonder. We do have families in this country who seem to aspire to oligarchy, if they’re not already there. They may feel more akin to Russian oligarchs than to the American people or system. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/77 "2017-05-29T00:27:01Z")
“Spectrum is a medical facility chain [led by Dick DeVos](http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/09/politics/fbi-investigation-continues-into-odd-computer-link-between-russian-bank-and-trump-organization/), the husband of Betsy DeVos, who was appointed by Trump as U.S. education secretary.” I mean, these amazing coincidences are pretty amazing, no? I mean, the alternative to this being nefarious is that there is an absolutely unexplained connection between Russia and Trump Tower that also happens to have an absolutely unexplained link to the family of the completely unqualified woman named to the cabinet. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/78 "2017-05-29T02:51:31Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Bump… > > I was thinking about this server tonight, decided to read what the Straight Dope had to say about it, and I’m glad I did. > > This thread is completely fascinating from a viewpoint of six months later. Any of the original posters care to update their thoughts on this story? > > I was wondering about the possibility that this server is what Kushner needed to replace when he asked the Russians to set up a covert communications channel. When he realized he and Pops were going to office at the White House, other arrangements had to be made to maintain a secure channel to Russia, now that the Trump Tower server was no longer available. > > I mean, Jared wanted to set up the covert channel in December. What’s to say he wasn’t trying to replace something he was going to lose? > > Pure speculation, but this story has gotten a lot more important since the WaPo revelations this past Friday. > > Thoughts? It’s been important all along, but the FBI wanted to downplay it. They’re still looking into it. Here’s an article from March - [**Sources: FBI investigation continues into ‘odd’ computer link between Russian bank and Trump Organization**](http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/09/politics/fbi-investigation-continues-into-odd-computer-link-between-russian-bank-and-trump-organization/) > [@CNN article linked above](#): > > Federal investigators and computer scientists continue to examine whether there was a computer server connection between the Trump Organization and a Russian bank, sources close to the investigation tell CNN. > > Questions about the possible connection were widely dismissed four months ago. But the FBI’s investigation remains open, the sources said, and is in the hands of the FBI’s counterintelligence team – the same one looking into Russia’s suspected interference in the 2016 election. > > One U.S. official said investigators find the server relationship “odd” and are not ignoring it. But the official said there is still more work for the FBI to do. Investigators have not yet determined whether a connection would be significant. > > The server issue surfaced again this weekend, mentioned in a Breitbart article that, according to a White House official, sparked President Trump’s series of tweets accusing investigators of tapping his phone. So this is maybe what set Donald off on his accusations that Obama wire tapped him. I thought about updating the thread when I read this, but I was too demoralized at the time. But in retrospect, Donald’s accusations really sort of got the public ball rolling on his Russian connections. As for the de Vos connection - don’t forget that [**Betsy’s brother Erik Prince also was trying to set up a back channel for Donald and Vlad via the Seychelles**](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/blackwater-founder-held-secret-seychelles-meeting-to-establish-trump-putin-back-channel/2017/04/03/95908a08-1648-11e7-ada0-1489b735b3a3_story.html). I don’t chat with my Mom as often as those two chat with each other, and she lives here. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/79 "2017-05-29T03:33:22Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > “Spectrum is a medical facility chain [led by Dick DeVos](http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/09/politics/fbi-investigation-continues-into-odd-computer-link-between-russian-bank-and-trump-organization/), the husband of Betsy DeVos, who was appointed by Trump as U.S. education secretary.” That is false. He previously sat on the Board of Directors, and was even Chair for a while, but Spectrum Health is not “led by Dick DeVos.” [Spectrum Health’s current board.](https://www.spectrumhealth.org/foundation/who-we-are/board-of-trustees) Now the amount of money donated by the DeVos family, everyone knows who pulls the strings in Grand Rapids, but for CNN to say he runs the place is incorrect. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309/80 "2017-05-29T04:25:04Z")
Your own link shows that Dick DeVos is still listed on the board of Spectrum Health as an Emeritus Trustee. He’s a permanent board member, even if he’s currently not the official chairman. (And he only stepped down recently, since he was elected chair in September 2015 for a two year term). Here’s an article about that - [http://www.grbj.com/articles/83491-health-system-names-board-officers](http://www.grbj.com/articles/83491-health-system-names-board-officers) > [@that article above DeVos' position w/ Spectrum](#): > > DeVos’ history with Spectrum > > DeVos joined the system board in 2010. > > He is an emeritus member of both the Spectrum Health Foundation Board of Trustees and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees, where he also served as chair. > > Richard Breon, president and CEO of Spectrum Health, said DeVos “has been a valuable and committed leader on multiple boards for Spectrum Health.” I’ll agree that it’s a stretch to say that DeVos personally runs Spectrum but there’s no denying that DeVos is a major power at Spectrum. His connection to the Trump admin via his wife’s cabinet position (and her brother’s attempt to connect Vlad & Donald) just makes the corruption smell a little sharper. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tower-has-a-direct-server-connection-to-a-russia-bank/770309.md?page=5)