Spam Scanning

Our spam-scanning engine searches each message for certain words, styles or phrases, which are characteristic of spam. Additionally, the unique 'fingerprint' of the mail is looked up in a central spam database, and the sending machine is also looked up in several anti-spam databases. Over 600 tests in total are carried out, and each test is assigned a 'score'.

When the scanning is complete, the scores are added up, and if the total is over a user-defined threshold, then the mail is put into a quarantine area (see below).

Virus Scanning

Similar to spam scanning, several tests are performed on the message and any attachments. If the message contains any known viruses, then the whole message is moved into quarantine. There is no 'score' to consider here, either the message contains a virus, or it doesn't. The database is updated daily.

The Quarantine

The quarantine is a separate area within the user’s mailbox where spam or virus-laden email is stored. Items in the quarantine are not downloaded to the user’s PC when a send/receive is performed.

The user is provided with a page where the contents of the quarantine can be inspected for 'false positives' (legitimate mail incorrectly identified as spam), and messages there can be diverted into the regular mailbox area, or removed permanently.

Messages in quarantine will be left on the server for 7 days by default (user-configurable), and then removed. If the user is collecting mail using IMAP, then the quarantine area can also be accessed as a separate folder called 'Trash'.

A 'digest' is also available, which is an email sent to you every day informing you of what's in your quarantine area, and links to browse the contents.

You can also set the anti-spam threshold or 'aggressiveness' from the quarantine area page. Lower numbers will move more mail into quarantine. The threshold is per-address customisable, meaning you can have a lower threshold on 'sales@yourdomain', than on 'yourname@yourdomain'.

Limitations

No guarantees can be made as to the effectiveness of this system, but testing has shown it to be very accurate, and can cut out over 95% of spam if an appropriate threshold is used. Forwarding accounts cannot be scanned.

Our anti-virus & anti-spam service should be regarded as an additional protection to anti-virus/anti-spam being run on the receiving PC.

Pricing

Anti Virus and Anti Spam	Monthly	Annual	Setup
Anti Virus and Anti Spam enabled on all POP accounts provided under the primary service (i.e. 20 POP accounts). Note: This service should be regarded as an additional protection to Anti Virus/Spam being run on the receiving PC/Server.	n/a	£29.99	free
Additional email POP accounts (per 10)	n/a	25.00	free