SPU currently uses an email filter created by Barracuda Networks that blocks, quarantines, and removes spam messages. The filter helps users personalize their filtering process by allowing them to choose which messages and senders are good (not spam) and bad (spam).   Barracuda also learns and improves its accuracy over time; this ensures that you receive the messages you want.   Any changes made to this tool will effect your email at the server, before messages are routed to the client application (such as Webmail or Outlook 2003/2007).

On any given day, SPU receives about 1,200,000 email messages delivered to SPU servers. Our current filtering technology removes roughly 96% of those messages as spam. However, there will also be some messages that get through the filters.  {SPU Tagged Spam?} before a message means we already thought it was spam, but weren't entirely sure. There are several options available to not get these messages in your Inbox. See below for further explanation of each option.

Be aware that computer usage may also effect how much spam you get. Be cautious about using your SPU email address for online blogs, chat rooms, prize contests, wiki's, and other network services.

Outlook 2003/2007 Junk Mail Filtering
Some email clients (for example Outlook 2003 or 2007) also have the capability to filter spam messages as they are delivered to the client. This type of filtering takes place on the individual PC that is running to client software, not at the Exchange server level. Some adjustments can also be made in this type of software in increase the sensitivity (and filter threshold) for spam control. It's equally important that you routinely view the contents of the Outlook "Junk E-Mail" folder for messages that have been miscategorized as spam by this tool.

Spam Management Options

I. Create a rule in Outlook or Webmail that moves anything with {SPU Tagged Spam?} to your Junk Items folder.
II. Download the Outlook spam plug-in and classify the messages as being “spam” or "not spam"

The mail filter preferences can be accessed at https://mailfilter.spu.edu/cgi-bin/index.cgi III. Blacklist the e-mail address in your Mail Filter Preferences.
IV. Change your Spam thresholds to block at a lower score level.

Option I: Rule settings can be found under “Tools” then “Rules and Alerts…” in Outlook, or you can click on the “Rules” button in Webmail. These are highly customizable and will allow your email server to sort your mail according to your preferences. Rules created will run even if your email is not actively being viewed by you. Make sure that you regularly review the items in your junk mail folder to make sure they are spam.

Option II: This program can be downloaded from the Mail Filter Preferences login page.  Click on the “Mail Filter Preferences” link on the Webmail login page then click on the “Get Mail Client Plugins Here” at the bottom of the Mail Filter Preferences login page.  These filter plugins require Microsoft Outlook 2003/2007. The plugins will appear on Outlook's tool bar and allow you to tag individual "spam" and "not spam" messages.

Option III: Log in to the Mail Filter Preferences by clicking on the link on the Webmail login page.  Then click on the “Preferences” tab and add the e-mail address to the “Blocked E-mail Addresses and Domains” list. A significant portion of spam uses forged email addresses and servers to hide the source of origination. This makes black-listing individual email addresses more risky and less effective. Use this feature with caution.

Option IV: Log in to the Mail Filter Preferences by clicking on the link on the Webmail login page.  Click on the “Spam Settings” sub-category under “Preferences.”  Turn off the system defaults by choosing “No” next to “Use system defaults.”  You can then lower the level at which messages are blocked, thereby reducing the number of spam messages you get that are simply tagged.  Note that this has a higher risk of blocking legitimate messages.

MAKE SURE TO SELECT THE SAVE CHANGES BUTTON AFTER MAKING ANY CHANGES

Certain internet usage patterns can result in increased amounts of SPAM. This includes (but is not limited to) registering with online sites, entering your email address in any forum posting (including your signature), replying to SPAM to be asked to be taken off the mailing list, using your email address as an account name when registering with a web site.

The email Rules Wizard is highly customizable and therefore only as useful as the design. Use multiple simple rules rather than a few very complex rules.

Excessive SPAM and pop-up adds may be indicative of spyware using your computer. There are many anti-spyware applications that can be used to clean your system and reduce SPAM over time.

Spyware Prevention (for more spyware information and removal tools)