Dilbert – Our Spam Filter Has Become Self Aware?

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:48:44 +0000

Has it come to this? Do we need an anti-spam engine so powerful that it becomes self aware?

While it is nice that spam volume has declined some since McColo has been shut down there is still a lot of messages out there that are spam and a vacuum right now waiting to be filled by other spammers.

While there is a temporary lull in spam volume the underlying problem still remains. The SMTP protocol that we all rely on and both love and hate was originally designed when the Internet was a small well-run network and everyone knew everyone else or knew someone who knew them and could vouch for each new connection or request to relay mail for someone. Open Relay mail servers were the norm and not the exception. Today you can’t setup an open mail server and have it live on the internet for more than a few hours, some would say minutes, before a spammer has discovered it and is hammering away at it.

While there are some good techniques to supply message repudiation (SPF and Domain Keys) the use and deployment of them are not universal and they will not become universal until all e-mail administrator know and understand what you can and can’t do with these techniques and all mail servers use these tools out of the box or make it easy to understand and configure.

In my opinion all mail servers should be able to check Real Time Black lists, SPF records and verify Domain Key signatures – even the ‘basic’ and for free versions of products. Lets get the tools needed to combat spam into everyone’s hands and educate each other in the proper setup and use of these tools.

- The Spam Cryer

Spam Filter Vendors Use Humour To Market Their Service

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:15:16 +0000

The IT world can at some points be a little dull when marketing their services but here are some IT security companies that are using humorous videos to get their marketing message across:

Commtouch Anti-Spam Cartoon

John never knew how many friends he had…until he opened the door to a truckload of spam. A short, funny movie about Commtouch RPD technology.

SonicWALL Anti-Spam Desktop

Tired of getting loads of spam and phishing emails in your Inbox? SonicWALL has a powerful, yet easy-to-use solution that can help. It’s called SonicWALL Anti-Spam Desktop and it works with Outlook and Outlook Express on your PC. Join Big Al as he provides an overview of this great desktop solution that protects you against spam and phishing emails.

Gmail Theater Act 1

Gmail Theater Act 1: Attack of the Spam

Gmail’s great spam protection in action…puppet action, that is. Learn more at http://www.gmail.com .

The Spam Cryer » SonicWall

Dilbert – Our Spam Filter Has Become Self Aware?

Spam Filter Vendors Use Humour To Market Their Service