RE: [cobalt-users] [Maybe OT] Anti-spam measures

["Head, Don" <Don.Head@xxxxxxxxxx>]

> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3500982.stm is an
> interesting Q&A on the recent lawsuits in the news. Those
> using SpamAssassin and trying to filter and tag spam on
> their RaQ should note:
> 
> "Q: What else is being done to combat spam?
> A: Lots. Some e-mail providers are starting to filter
> spam before it reaches end users. <snip> But the reaction
> from the spammers to these measures has been to increase
> the number of messages they send out. They reason that,
> if a smaller percentage of messages are getting through,
> they need to send out more to make sure that enough do
> get seen."
> 
> So, if you want to put tons of strain on your RaQ by
> trying to scan all this garbage, go for it. I know I have
> found more email getting lost in the noise than email
> getting lost due to the SMTP being rejected by Sendmail
> using various DNSBL.

I think that most administrators receiving large amounts of spam have
realized that it pays to have a little dedicated spam filtering box
acting as your MX, which then hands the acceptable mail off to your RaQ
(or other primary mail server).  Anyone who is having problems with mail
overload who hasn't done this should seriously consider it. =)


Don Head
Hosting TAC/UNIX
SAVVIS Communications
www.savvis.net
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