How do I report a new SPAM message...

[Guest]

I am using the new Windows Mail that comes with Vista. The SPAM filter isn't
bad, but a few messages get through. Is there a way for me to report the
message as being SPAM? I don't want to just block it, I want to help out by
reporting it, but can't figure out how, or if I am even supposed to be able
to do it.

Thanks!
Butch

 

[Keith]

I am using the new Windows Mail that comes with Vista. The SPAM filter
isn't
bad, but a few messages get through. Is there a way for me to report the
message as being SPAM? I don't want to just block it, I want to help out
by
reporting it, but can't figure out how, or if I am even supposed to be
able
to do it.

Thanks!
Butch

The only thing you can do is look at the message headers to find out the
original IP address used to send the message and then contact the senders
ISP. Ten years ago this was helpful but now ISP's have filters that catch
and destroy spam very easily. You can check out the spamcop web site for
more information.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Keith. I've used SPAMCOP before. Just becomes a hit-and-miss thing
with the ISP if they will fix the problem though.

Who does MS get their SPAM info from so that they know whether to mark a
message as SPAM or not? It would be nice to let them know about any new
messages that are getting through.

On my XP box, with OE6, I'm using Cloudmark software to filter my SPAM. It
has a "community" that helps report what is SPAM and what is not SPAM. I
really like it, and will probably start using it (if it is compatable), with
my Vista system, but I was kind of hoping that the MS filter would do
something similar without me having to pay for renewal of the Cloudmark
software every year.

Thanks,
Butch

 

[Michael]

I use K9 w/ OE in XP. K9 connects to a (public) DNSBL server - you can also
report spam email domains.
It would be great for Win Mail to have such 'verify this sender's address on
the DNSBL list/server' option.
Michael

 

[Steve Cochran]

The problem with reporting email domains and IP addresses is that they are
spoofed in spam and other messages, so you report the wrong individual and
consequently, that individual's domain or email address is blocked due to
the spoof and the ignorance of the reporter.

steve

 

[Michael]

In XPSP2, DNSBL cleans about 40% of spam... a significant percentage when
you get 100+ emails daily.
In two years I had no negative experience (not a single case) of an
unproperly blocked domain - you can "whitelist" email addresses that you
want to get through.
Michael

 

[Steve Cochran]

Well, I know I get several messages kicked back a week from my website
because servers have blacklisted it for no reason, except for spoofing. Its
quite a pain for my business to have to handle that.

steve

 

[Michael]

Sure, but you can take up the issue with the server owners/operators. My
suggestion was re. Vista Mail - you still have the messages on your machine
and check them - they just get a [DNSBL] tag in the subject line so that you
can move them around anyway you need.
Michael