Mac Musings

Hotmail Fights Spam (and So Do I)

Dan Knight - 1999.11.11 - Tip Jar

Although Cnet finds it controversial, I'd like to welcome Microsoft's Hotmail service to the ranks of those using MAPS RBL.

As an email administrator, Mail Abuse Prevention System's (MAPS) Realtime Blackhole List (RBL) is one of my favorite anti-spam tools. It only lists servers known to relay spam after the email administrator has been contacted and doesn't shut down the open relay.

There are several other anti-spam tools. One (ORBS) will blacklist any open relay, whether it's ever been used to relay spam or not. Another blacklists specific dialup addresses known as spam sources.

My current mail server only allows me to use one of these tools. Like Microsoft, I chose MAPS RBL because it doesn't presume a server is guilty by association, as ORBS does. Until they have proof of relayed spam, RBL won't list a site.

Controversial?

As someone whose been dealing with spam since we first set up a company mail server with a connection to the internet, I'm disappointed Cnet labels MAPS RBL controversial. Any email administrator not using some anti-spam tools should be flogged - and MAPS RBL seems to find the right balance between blocking too many servers and not blocking enough.

It has certainly reduced the amount of spam I receive via the two servers I run.

Granted, MAPS RBL does block some legitimate email. Any anti-spam mechanism takes that risk, but at least it only blocks servers tried and found guilty of relaying spam. When I explain this, most users are understanding. Most email administrators will do all they can to stay off the ORBS and RBL lists. It's only those servers that persist in maintaining open relays for any and all email that are blocked by MAPS RBL.

It's an area I and other email administrators have discussed heavily on the SIMS (Stalker Internet Mail Server, a freeware Mac-based internet compatible email server) email list - how do the various blocking lists work, and which best fit our paradigm who should be blocked. In fact, SIMS is being upgraded to allow use of more than one anti-spam service, a move everyone on the list applauds.

Until the government makes spam illegal and spammers comply with anti-spam laws, email administrators will continue using blocking lists, controversial or not.

Kill Caps Lock, but Leave the Rest of My Keyboard Alone (Mostly), 2012.02.03. It's too easy to hit Caps Lock by accident, but why change a keyboard layout that billions of users are comfortable with?
Is This RIM's Macintosh Moment?, 2012.01.25. In 1996, Apple was in dire straits, but Steve Jobs redefined the company. Now it's do or die time for RIM.
Saying Good-bye to Inkjet Printers, 2012.01.18. Apple has discontinued its $100 printer rebates, but even a free inkjet printer is false economy.
More in the Mac Musings index.

Links for the Day

Mac of the Day: Mac IIfx, introduced 1990.03.19. This 'wicked fast' 40 MHz Mac trumped the 33 MHz DOS world.
February 14 in LEM history: 98: A perfect compact Mac - 00: Extended computer warranties worth the cost? - Making your PC work with your Mac - 01: Customize Microsoft Word - 02: Quadra revives a passion for computing - 03: Real world performance - DIY Pismo screen replacement - Best Mac for writing - 03: Fastest browser on the Mac - 06: 15" MacBook Pro - Impressions of a newly acquired Lisa - Finding and using free WiFi - Apple should liberate OS 9 - 07: New Mac mini cheaper than upgrading a Power Mac - 08: Falling in love with OS X
Support Low End Mac

Recent Content on Low End Mac

Fix Home Button Delay, Tablet the Ultimate Mobile PC, iPad Notebook a Possibility, and More, iOS News Review, 2012.02.10. Also using your iPad at work, two photo editors, a new iPad text editor, Macally's magnetic iPad 2 stand, and more.
White MacBook Goes End-of-Life, Logitech Touch Mouse Supports Gestures, Firmware Updates, and More, The 'Book Review, 2012.02.10. Also MacBook Air better than any Ultrabook, docks for MacBook Pro models, Intel offers improved SSDs, and more.
Mac and iOS Browsers: Options Galore, Freeware Forum, 2012.02.10. Safari is adequate on Mac and great on iOS, but the range of good alternatives is stunning. LEM writers share their favorites.
Apple's Support Lead Shipping, Smartphones Outsell PCs, OS X Ported to ARM by Intern, and More, Mac News Review, 2012.02.10. Also the power of Tex-Edit Plus, Google and Twitter are already censoring the Web, Snow Leopard Security Update, and more.
LogMeIn: Remote Screen Sharing for the Rest of Us, Alan Zisman, Zis Mac, 2012.02.09. Configuring the Mac's built-in screen sharing to work over the Internet can be difficult or impossible. LogMeIn makes it easy.
15 Years Ago Motorola Unveiled the PowerPC G3, Low End Mac Round Table, 2012.02.06. The G3 processor was optimized for real world Mac software and made a big leap forward in efficiency.
Don't Kill Caps Lock, Learning to Love the iOS Keyboard, and an Adaptive iPad Keyboard, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2012.02.06. The Caps Lock key has a useful function, the iPad's keyboard really is useful, and checking out an adaptive keyboard for the iPad.
More links in our archive.

Recent Deals

About LEM Support Usage Privacy Contact

Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Entire Low End Mac website copyright ©1997-2012 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc. unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iPad iPhone, iMac, iPod, MacBook, MagSafe, Mac Pro, Apple TV, and AirPort are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.
Advice is presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to .
LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
Email may be published at our discretion unless marked "not for publication"; email addresses will not be published without permission, and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.

Custom Search

Follow Low End Mac on Twitter
Join Low End Mac on Facebook

Low End Mac Reader Specials

TypeStyler 11 is now in the Mac App Store!! -- Special Introductory Price of $59.95!! -- To Buy From The Mac App Store Click Here Now!! Or buy direct from Strider Software.

Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how to download and install a native Mac poker and Mac Casino applications in minutes.

Affiliates

Amazon.com
The Apple Store
The iTunes Store
PC Connection Express
GainSaver
Parallels Desktop for Mac
eBay

Mac Musings

Hotmail Fights Spam (and So Do I)

Controversial?

Further Reading

Recent articles by Dan Knight