ATTENTION: We are in the process of implementing a new, improved spam and virus filtering solution, called "Postini". At this time, if you log into your email account at our web site and attempt to adjust your Spam Settings, you will see a message stating that spam filtering is not active on your account. However, Postini is active. It is just the old spam filtering solution which is inactive.
VT Rocket is now providing free, premium Postini spam and virus filtering for our dial-up Internet access customers. This is NOT the inadequate spam filtering offered by many other Internet providers who simply use public lists of known "spammers" to filter their email. This is world-class spam filtering through Postini, widely regarded as the premier spam blocking solution available today.
What is "spam"? Spam is unwanted "junk email". For those who have experienced the misfortune of having their email addresses placed on spam lists, these messages can turn into hundreds - or even thousands - each day. Spam is one of the biggest problems on the Internet.
What causes spam? In most cases, spam is the result of allowing your email address to be known to someone you do not know personally. For example, you may provide your email address when filling out a form at a web site. Or, you may post your email address at an Internet forum, auction site, or classified site. You can even get spam by providing your email address outside of the Internet - for example, when filling out a credit card application, magazine subscription form, catalog order, etc. In addition, "spammers" have many tricks, like using software to randomly create a list of hundreds of thousands of possible email addresses. Then they send a message to every address on the list and determine which addresses are legitimate by whether or not the message is undeliverable.
What is spam filtering? Spam filtering is the process of examining incoming email messages to determine whether or not they appear to be spam, then processing them accordingly. There are many types of spam filtering solutions - with vastly different degrees of effectiveness.
Why are most spam filtering solutions inadequate? The most common method of "filtering" is to use "blacklists". These lists, which are publicly available from various spam prevention organizations, consist of known "spammers" and email services that are known to allow the sending of junk email. The problem with this, of course, is that spammers don't make their "identities" easily known. In fact, they change their identities on a perpetual basis. So, "blacklists" are only moderately successful.
Why is Postini different? Postini also uses these blacklists. However, it does much more, including performing a sophisticated analysis of both the headers and the body of each incoming email message to determine if it fits any pattern that is typically associated with spam. As a result, Postini is remarkably accurate in it's assessments.
What exactly does Postini do? Postini examines each incoming email message and attempts to determine whether or not it could be spam (based in part on settings that you have chosen). If a message is considered to be spam, it is quarantined and it will not reach your Inbox. These messages are held in your "Message Center", which is located on a separate server. You can view quarantined messages, and choose what to do with them, by logging into your Message Center. If you do not take any action, messages are deleted after 14 days.
Is it possible that I won't receive a legitimate message? It is possible (but not likely) that a legitimate message will be quarantined. However, you will be able to see it in your Message Center, and you can tell Postini how to handle that message and future messages from the same sender.
How do I use Postini? Postini is a "server-side" email solution, which means there is no program to download and run. It runs from our computers, not yours. You don't have to do a thing. Your email account is automatically configured to use Postini spam/virus filtering.
Can I adjust the Postini settings? Yes! You can set Postini to be more aggressive or more lenient regarding what email it will accept. You can also add email addresses to your "White List" (a list of email addresses that are always accepted) or your "Black List" (a list of email addresses that are always rejected).
Does Postini work on all of my email addresses? Postini will work with any email address that you have through VT Rocket. It will not work with email addresses that you may have through other companies.
How do I view quarantined messages and adjust spam filter settings? Please click here for instructions on logging into and using your Message Center.
If you have any questions about this service, please click here to visit our Contact page.
