Anti-Virus and Anti-Spam Services

SpamAssassin

• How does it work
• How much does it cost
• How can I move the messages marked as spam out of my Inbox?
• I got an email that was marked as spam, but it is not spam.
• How do I get taken off the service

Antivirus Service

• How much does it cost
• What file types can I not send or receive
• How can I send a blocked files type

SpamAssassin - Anti-Spam Service

In response to spam complaints from our customers, Znet has implemented a new anti-spam system called SpamAssassin. Today's spammers are getting harder to get under control. They change providers, change email address, and they change the subject line. This program is designed to look through incoming emails and check them for certain items in the message to help defeat the tricks of spammers.

How does it work?

When a message arrives at Znet's mail servers, the message is sent through the SpamAssassin software. The SpamAssassin checks the message for "spam-like" characteristics, and calculates a "score" of how spam-like the email is. If the message gets a rating of over 10 points, SpamAssassin modifies the message, identifying it as spam. It will add *****SPAM***** to the Subject line, include the rating of the message, and converts the message from HTML to text only. By disabling HTML content, it is more difficult to trigger dangerous or inappropriate content (like loading obscene images, or triggering your web browser to open different windows). The SpamAssassin mail filter also adds additional tags that allow your email program to file the message in a separate folder, making it easier for you to browse your email.

How much does it cost?

Nothing. The anti-spam service is included as part of your normal service charge.

Creating rules for email

Click here for instructions for Outlook Express 5/6 and Netscape 4.7 and 7 , we have instructions on how to setup the filter rules for Outlook Express and Netscape. More email programs will be added in the coming weeks. For further help, search the Help files of your email program for Filtering or Mail Filtering.

What can I do for mistaken identity?

Spammers like to make their emails look as legitimate as possible. As a result, SpamAssassin may occasionally mistakenly tag a legitimate email as spam. This is quite common for newsletters, horoscopes, and mailing lists. If you do have emails that are mistaken for spam, you can forward the email to us, and we can take steps to prevent future mistaken tagging. Forward the message to spamlist@2z.net and we will take care of it.

There are certain types of emails that we will not add to the exmption list. Emails from known spammers, advertisers of: weight loss, perscription pills, lottery, and general junk mail. The original message is attached to the email and you can view it there. If would like, we can remove your email address from the SpamAssassin service. Znet reserves the right to not exempt emails from the SpamAssassin service.

Will I lose some emails?

No, not if you follow our suggestions to move tagged messages to a separate folder and review them before throwing them away. Operating on a principle of "the mail must get through," our anti-spam system will not discard any emails; only tag them as potential spam. The original email is sent as an attachment in the spam message.

I do not get spam; I do not want to be on this list

If you do not want to on the anti-spam list, just email spamlist@2z.net with a request that you be removed from the service. We will then add your email address to a list exempting you from the anti-spam rules. Please allow up to 48 hours for your name to be added.

New Virus Scanning Service

Along with the anti-spam service, we have added a virus scanning service for our customers, free of charge. The virus scanner checks all incoming email for common viruses and worms. This service does not guarantee virus protection, it is instead offered as a first line of defense, and as a convenient way to reduce annoying worms like "Klez".

One of the characteristics of common viruses and worms is that they are often transported in certain file types, including .exe, .scr, .vbs, .pif, and .com file types. We have observed that virtually all of the attachments of this type are virus or worm emails, and not intentional, harmless, emails. (see *Note below)

Another characteristic of modern email-borne viruses and worms is that a sudden change in a common worm can lead to very rapid infection, as recently happened with BugBear.B and SoBig.F.

To help combat this style of virus and worm, we have chosen to enable a feature of the antivirus system that will block all dangerous file types. In rare cases, legitimate emails can also be blocked.

Since legitimate emails can easily be changed to bypass the filter, and allow the file to be sent, we felt that any inconvenience in blocking the attachments was outweighed by the danger presented by viruses and worms.

If you do need to send a file that is otherwise blocked by the filter, we suggest using a utility such a WinZip to "zip" the executable. Not only will this allow you to bypass the filter, this also will enable the recipient to download the file in less time. You can get a evaluation copy of Winzip from www.winzip.com . We can not make exceptions to the list.

If sending an ".exe" file is absolutely unavoidable, we recommend changing the file type, and including instructions to the recipient as to how to restore the filename. To change the file type, right click the file and a menu will open. Left click on Rename. Change the extension from .exe to .bk. To restore the file, reverse the process. Save the attachment to your hard drive, right click the file and a menu will open. Left click on Rename. Rename the file from .bk to .exe and the program will run normally.

You may also wish to consider other options of distributing files, such as FTP or by posting them on a website. The differences in these transfer methods also make them more efficient than email. With your account, you can get 10MB of personal website. For instructions on how to set this up click here .

Even though we are scanning your email for viruses, please always have a virus scanner running and up to date on your computer. This is necessary because email is only one way for viruses to enter your computer. This will also protect you in the event our virus scanner fails.

*Note - During a 10 day trial period, approximately 40 messages of 1220 (about 3.3%) stopped by the filters did not have a detected virus or worm. Of those 40, a preliminary analysis showed that around 35 had filenames consistent with an email worm (obfuscated extensions, incomplete filename, etc.). Only two of the messages (less than 1%) contained an attachment that may possibly have been a valid file.