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Spam, Wonderful Spam |
Spam, what we're doing about it, and why this is important
Like all Internet users, we at RedG hate Spam with a vengeance.
We all face a constant struggle with unsolicited email, and to abate
this we've employed the latest Spam blocking techniques for our
customers. How bad is this problem?
As of June 1, 2004:
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15,000,000,000 spam messages were sent, representing 80% of all messages sent over the Internet messaging systems |
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26,000,000 viruses were sent representing 2.5% of all messages sent over the Internet messaging systems |
We now provide SpamAssassin(tm) support for our customers. This
is an extensible email filter which is used to identify
spam. Using its rule base, it uses a wide range of advanced
heuristic and statistical analysis tests on mail headers and body text
to identify "spam", also known as unsolicited bulk email.
Customers will see the subject lines of incoming email marked with a
* SPAM * tag inserted by our mail service.
How to Protect Yourself
Our customers send email to their potential clients as an integral part
of their businesses. New anti-Spam legislation implements stiff
penalties for violations, and we have taken steps to help our customers
implement proper email techniques.
The latest Federal laws require all outbound unsolicited email to
contain full contact information and clear list-removal instructions,
and we’ve provided this to our customers seamlessly as part of their
integrated Contact Management interface.
Third Party Spam “Black Lists”
There are a wide variety of databases of known spammers
available. These databases can be used to block incoming email
from supposed known sources. These databases can be effective,
however, the Internet is a constantly changing technical environment,
and most of these databases hinge their selections based on potentially
outdated information on server addresses and ownerships.
One such example is found in the SPEWS database. We do not
recognize SPEWS as a valid block list authority. The reason for
this is that SPEWS has absolutely no contact information, and
absolutely no removal procedures. They do not run a well managed
list and much of the evidence they list outdated by months.
Additionally, we are told that SPEWS intentionally lists people who
have never spammed as part of a strong arm tactic they call collateral
damage. Can't we just all get along..?
Virus Spam
Surely the most insidious type of Spam is that which eats your
computer. Just imagine this from our perspective! Our
servers are under constant attack by all manner of nasties, We have yet
to have one intrusion; be assured we will stay vigilant on your behalf.
It is vital, however, that you acquire and maintain up-to-date
anti-virus software on your computer. Likely you have one; do
keep the subscription current, for all our sakes please.
Never Surrender
This fight against Spam will never end. But there is one thing
you can do, above all else, to stop it. Don’t support it.
Spam sales revenues make it economically viable. Period. If
they weren’t making money they wouldn’t do it. So don’t support
it, and tell your friends to tell their friends, etc. etc..
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