Apr 13 2010
Who will stop the SPAM?
Still getting SPAM? Getting more SPAM now than several months ago? Do you have too many legitimate messages going to SPAM? I recommend trying one of the following options.
Gmail. As noted in an earlier post, Gmail has the best SPAM filter around. It is extremely accurate. Many users now have all of their email accounts routed through Gmail to get the benefit of Gmail’s SPAM blocker. Gmail can be set up to send pop3 account mail as well. You still need an invitation to sign up for Gmail.Bundled applications. If you’re wedded to Outlook or another mail application, first check to see if your antivirus program has anti-SPAM built into it. Several of the ‘internet protection’ applications include anti-SPAM as one of the components.
BitDefender uses little system overhead compared to some of the others so I usually install it on systems needing firewall, anti-spy, anti-virus and anti-SPAM filters.
TrendMicro is another good option.
Kaspersky is also good; however, some users tell me it’s a bit too complicated.
Symantec’s Norton is very good but it has continued increasing system overhead to the point where it has become a system hog. While there are certainly other packages available, some pre-installed on new systems, they are not ones I use or recommend.
SpamArrest is my recommendation if you aren’t using Gmail or if you are unhappy with your current SPAM filter. It gives you webmail in addition to desktop mail with Outlook, Eudora, Outlook Express, Netscape, AOL and almost any mailbox that uses POP3 protocol. SPAM never makes it to your desktop. [Check with their customer service if you have a question.] It works with any OS using standard mail applications. It includes its own anti-virus scanner. If you’re away from your desktop, you can check your email from anywhere with only internet access.
SpamArrest uses a challenge-based filter. If you have already added a sender to your “authorized sender” list, the message will come through to your desktop. Otherwise, the sender will receive an email from you (sent by SpamArrest) asking the sender to verify his/her email address by typing in a word shown on the screen. Once verified, the sender can be added to your authorized sender list. SPAM will never reach your inbox. It will not block your newsletters as long as you add them to the authorized sender list. I have many happy users of this option.
