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What is SPAM?
SPAM is the nickname for junk e-mail, also referred to as Unsolicited Bulk E-Mail (UBE). SPAM is not an acronym, it is a canned food product by Hormel™ - for more information on this type of spam visit www.spam.com. Early Internet architects related the annoyance of junk e-mail to a skit based on SPAM from Monty Python’s Flying Circus episode 25 ( www.pythonline.com ), in this skit the customer could not order anything without SPAM. Most everyone agrees with the initial assessment that SPAM is annoying. We have all received a special offer for Viagra, a new low rate on a Mortgage or even worse an e-mail from a Porn solicitor. SPAM is annoying, but it is also costly. It costs us time, frequently includes viruses and Trojan horse programs, and evokes many emotions ranging from disgust to outrage. SPAM in an office environment is a legal case waiting to happen and is indiscriminate between adults and children. SPAM volume is on the rise, currently more than 50% of mail traveling across the Internet is SPAM. SPAM is continually in the news, entering into our legal and political systems, but there is little that can be done to successfully prosecute offenders. Washington State was one of the first States to have specific SPAM laws and penalties for sending SPAM, in fact one of our staff was involved in the first successful SPAM lawsuit in the nation. CSS takes SPAM seriously.
How is CSS working to fight SPAM?
CSS has implemented a SPAM detection system that evaluates mail messages, and grades them based on a sophisticated set of rules and testing parameters. CSS provides this as a free service to our customers with e-mail accounts under our domain name ZenInternet.com. CSS also has an advanced subscription service for customers with their own domain name. Our system can be used in front of Microsoft Exchange, Novell Groupwise, Novell Netmail, Lotus Notes, and many other mail systems. CSS will assist you in the setup process. This system can be implemented quickly and easily for any customer. If you would like to subscribe to the service, please contact us at info@cssnw.com or 877-671-4878.
My Mail has been tagged as SPAM-DETECTED now what?
There are several options for dealing with SPAM that has been detected. The quickest way to deal with the SPAM is to create mailbox processing rules that file a message for further review, or delete the message. If you would like to implement a rule, simply create a filter on the subject line for “SPAM-DETECTED”, and set up the rule to process accordingly. See a few setup configurations at the end of this document. Future enhancements to this process include the ability to provide message grades so your rules can process mail differently. This allows you to decide how quickly you want to throw it away or if you want to further review a spam coded message! Our current statistical analysis shows that out of a sampling of 230,000 messages we correctly identified 130,746 non spam messages, and 85,225 spam messages. Out of this sampling only 32 messages were falsely rated spam positives (these messages were related to bulk list server messages, subscribed newsletters, and sales flyers, none were direct person to person e-mails), and 16,472 false SPAM negatives.. So out of 230,000 messages we only missed 16,472 SPAM. Of course this is a conservative setting and we would rather miss SPAM than incorrectly identify good mail. The best part is, the final decision is still up to you to decide whether you should delete it or not.
How does the CSS SPAM Detector work?
The CSS detector receives and processes your mail first. The detector grades elements of the message, then applies a final grade to the whole message. If the grading is below CSS’s acceptable threshold your message is tagged (hidden) and sent on to your mailbox. If the grading exceeds our defined threshold the message is modified. CSS inserts !! SPAM-DETECTED !! in the subject line along with a grade (12.25). The system moves the SPAM message content to an attachment, puts instructions and grading details in the message, and then forwards the entire message with attachment to your mailbox. This method prevents your mail client from automatically opening an offensive, or virus filled message. It also allows you to make the final decision to delete or file the message. At no time does CSS staff read your mail, our automated systems look for specific characteristics related to bulk e-mail tactics, your mail remains unread. The CSS staff is constantly reviewing newer tactics and cooperating with other agencies to evaluate and identify spam. The CSS anti-spam system employs multiple industry accepted methods for identifying bulk mail. We believe this is the best solution for your SPAM problems.
How much does it cost?
Our SPAM filtering system is cost effective for any organization serious about getting SPAM out of your inbox. Our system works with all Internet Service Providers and Connection types. For as little as $25/month CSS will begin filtering your entire domain for SPAM. Discounts for CSS Internet Services customers apply.
Minimum, Up to 25 Mailboxes $25/month
Up to 100 Mailboxes $50/month
Up to 250 Mailboxes $100/month
More than 250 Mailboxes Call Now!
More Sources for SPAM information:
Great article from NetworkWorld Fusion: What spam really costs, Part I
Part Two of the Article: What spam really costs, Part II
Download the Spam Calculator in the Network Fusion article:SPAM Cost Calculator Spreadsheet (XLS)
SPAM Abuse Network - http://spam.abuse.net
Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial E-mail - CAUCE - http://www.cauce.org
Configuring Message Handling Rules
CSS Hosted Mail - Novell Netmail: WebInterface (ZenInternet.com)
Log into WebMail
Click on Options
Click the Rules Tab
Under the Bottom section (Create new rule), click on Move To or Delete
Choose Subject from the Drop Down
Put SPAM-DETECTED in Contains
Choose your folder (move)
Save the rule
Groupwise Setup:
From the menu select Tools, then Rules
Click on New to create a new rule
Name the rule anything you like, for example “Delete Spam”
Click Define Conditions
Select Subject, choose [] (contains), and put SPAM-DETECTED in the box, choose OK
Click on Add Action, Choose Delete/Decline, or Move to Folder (choose folder), Save the Rule
Close the Window
Any new messages arriving with SPAM-DETECTED in the subject will now be processed by the rule.
Outlook Express:
Tools, Message Rules, Mail…
Click “where the subject line contains”
Click Delete or Move it
Click on “contains specific words”, put in SPAM-DETECTED, click Add
Click OK
Click OK
Your mailbox will now Delete/Move SPAM-DETECTED messages when you open Outlook Express
Outlook 2000:
Click on Tools
Click on Rules Wizard
Click on New
Click on "Check messages when they Arrive"
Click on Next
Scroll down and Click on the box next to "with specific words in the
subject", a check mark will appear
In the lower box, click on the Underlined words "specific words"
In the space after Add new: type in "SPAM-DETECTED" without the quotes.
Click on Add
Click on OK
Click on Next
Click on the box next to "move it to the specified folder", a check mark will
appear
In the lower box, click on the Underlined word "specified"
Click on the "Deleted Items" folder; if you don't see "deleted Items", click
on + next to your mailbox name.
Click on OK
Click on Finish
Click on OK
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