Email Spam

[ian-d]

Hi all, my email gets a ton of spam and unfortunetly its on the domain i use for my business, so can't just stop using it. I've seen many businesses using an online email ticket style system (ebuyer is one) that means you email through the website with an 'open' status, and the responses are made through the same system, avoiding all/most spam. Does anyone know what this type of system is called so i can search on google, or anyone have any recommendations?

Alternatively, anyone know of some good anti spam software which cuts out the junk by not even allowing it into the mail server, and doesn't take too much of the genuine emails with it?

[Ditzy]

Hi Ian ... I know how you feel.

Recently had a little moan about this myself and the lads came up with some good advice.

Hopefully this link will take you to the thread ...

http://www.a4uforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=53379

... otherwise look in Real World at Tis the season to be virused.

Best of luck ... Sue

[ian-d]

Hi Sue,

Thank you for the reply. I'll have a look at that.

The main issue for me isn't viruses, but spam. I want a way in which to elimate them getting into my email prog. I've blocked the obvious words on my hosting email filter, but am receiving countless a day still, including subject titles as:

dissimiliarity primary color
cloud
failure notice
delivery status notification (failure)
re: my doubtles
steriod

you all get the message, its becoming very annoying!

Help appreciated.

Ian

[mikey_freedom]

Kayako.com do a support centre that I've seen implemented in a few places I've used. It works & seems okay. $200 yearly lease for the 'esupport' product or $300/yr with more whistles and bells.

[Ditzy]

Hiya Ian ... yes sorry was in a hurry and didn't explain myself properly.

The viruses came in emails which were spam ... I get lots too and it does get on your nerves doesn't it.

I've recently started getting some with Woh is me religious stuff in the title which is all a bit alarming.

My understanding of the info the lads gave me about Mailwasher is that it tackles the spam I haven't had chance to check it out yet as I'm stuck doing other things at the mo but it's top of my to do list ... I've heard good things about Spam Cop too.

I'm sure the lads will elaborate on any points you need clarifying.

Cheers

[essdeekay]

Ian,

I use Mailwasher and it is awesome - it checks the emails on the server before they are downloaded.

You can preview the emails as well.

It cross-checks with spamcop to see if it is a known spammer.

You can also teach it "friendly" email addresses and also to "bounce" unfriendly ones so that the spammers think that your email address doesn't exist!

Great software

Si

[Ditzy]

Originally Posted by essdeekay I use Mailwasher and it is

Cheers Si ... you obviously saw my Bat signal

[justhomdotcom]

As Mikey said Kayako do a ticket system which we have bought but I haven't had time to install it yet but it does look good.
Spam can still get through though apparently if you are pipeing the emails - best thing is to read through the forums they have to get a feel of it.

Main reason we are implementing it (eventually) is more to do with tracking customer support (yes even with underwear you need support) rather than stopping spam. The best way to deal with incoming spam is to use software that has a decent bauesian filter and train it well over a period of time (or use mailwasher as someone else said)

[renegade]

Originally Posted by Ditzy Cheers Si ... you obviously saw my Bat signal

I'm not going to play Robin this time

[Sammy aff]

I may be stating the obvious, but many times overlooked

Disable catch all email associated with domain (with many this comes as default) even if you set email specific @ you will still get anything@yourdomain.com if you fail to disable catch all.

Set dedicated email alias, avoid info@ webmaster@ etc etc

It won't stop spam, but does stop tons of stuff

Don't have email address on every page, just once on a contact us type page, on the page use js or mask the email address

Too late for many, once captured you are 'captured' for life but anyone just starting out it would be wise to avoid future problems.

If you are unsure how to do this just make a simple image email address to start with, it won't be clickable but it will save you loads of hassle in the future and when you get more savvy you can make clickable email later.

Believe me, email probs can be the biggest bug for any new website, for me adwords and seo became 'minor glitches' compared to email spam.

I made many mistakes years ago but by far the biggest was publishing my main email address through thousands of pages. at the height I was getting 50k per day and I was on dial up at the time sometimes they would take 1hour to download and I couldn't stop them comming...it was a nightmare

My problem was I knew 50 or so would be important...jeez I still cringe thinking back about it.

[Sammy aff]

PS i don't trust no email filter system all have flaws, some are absolute crazy
but if email is not critical use them.

For me email is essential for my particular biz so I have wade through some junk, but nowhere near as bad these days...still annoying though, I would gladly bury the spammers up to their necks in sand and wait for the tide to come in, and ask them if they would like a glass of water before they drown.