What is a SPAM filter and how do I set it up?

Answer by: Stuart Pierce, Knowledge Base Support

The SPAM filter is software used to block unsolicited email on the Internet. Aplus.Net currently offers three levels of SPAM filtering with all shared hosting plans. These are two SPAM filters and the Greylist service.

The first SPAM filter and the Greylist service are enabled by default for all shared hosting plans and there is no configuration needed.

The second SPAM filter adds flexibility and effectiveness in fighting unsolicited emails coming from new sources which are not listed yet in the first filter’s database. It examines the content of the email itself and evaluates several indexes, instead of just checking the sender email address. This SPAM filter is not enabled by default and has to be configured individually for each of your email boxes.

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to configure the second SPAM filter:

1. Start by logging into the Aplus.Net Web Control Panel at http://cp.aplus.net using your Registration Number and Customer Password.
2. Select Emails from the top navigation bar.
3. Next, select Email Boxes and click on Manage Email Boxes.
4. Click on the e-mail account that you’d like to manage.
5. Select the SPAM Filter Settings icon.
6. Use the Spam Filtering drop-down menu to select the type of SPAM filtering that you’d like to have on this account. There are four settings:
1. Disabled: No SPAM filtering.
2. Tag Subject with SPAM: The subjects of suspected SPAM messages are tagged as [SPAM]. Customers can configure their e-mail software to sort these messages automatically.
3. Deliver to a Junk folder: Suspected SPAM messages are stored in a Junk folder on the server.
4. Delete Immediately: Suspected SPAM messages are deleted before they are delivered to the account’s inbox.
7. Use the Filtering Level drop-down menu to select the level of SPAM filtering performed on this account. There are three settings:
1. Moderate: The least strict of the three settings. Messages that originate from known spammers or that contain known SPAM subject lines will be marked as SPAM.
2. Normal: The default setting. Messages that meet certain specific criteria (keywords in the subject line and message body, particular e-mail addresses, etc.) will be marked as SPAM.
3. Enhanced: The strictest setting. Messages that meet any of certain general criteria will be marked as SPAM. It is not recommended that you select the Delete Immediately option when using the Enhanced filtering level, as some legitimate messages may accidentally be marked as SPAM.
8. Click Modify to update your SPAM settings.

If you have chosen the Deliver to a Junk folder option, please follow the instructions below on how to access this folder.

1. Start by logging into your Web Mail account at http://mail.yourdomain.com using your e-mail address and password. Please replace “yourdomain.com” with your actual hosted domain name.
2. Select Folders from the top navigation bar.
3. Under the Unsubscribe / Subscribe section of the page, select the Junk folder, and then click on Subscribe.

NOTE: You will only be able to subscribe to the Junk folder after you have received at least one suspected SPAM message. Prior to that, the folder will not be visible.

4. Make sure that you click on the Refresh the folders list link at the top of the left frame.
5. The Junk folder is now visible under your folders list, and contains any suspected SPAM messages.

Related links:

•  How does the Greylist service work?

• How do I make a list of contacts in my web mail settings that will automatically pass through SPAM protection?