SPAM Identification

How does IE Internet's Mailwall identify spam?

We identify spam through three distinct methods:

1. We ensure that mail is being sent through a computer that is configured in accordance with the best practices of the Internet i.e. one that obeys the rules of the Internet. For example a server (and emails from it) is not compliant if the address it advertises as being the origin of the email does not match the actual server it was sent from.

1. Mailwall checks that email is not sent through an open relay. An open relay is an email server which does not care who sends email through it. Consequently, such servers are an absolute haven for spammers as they allow large volumes of email to be send anonymously. Email sent through an open relay is more than likely spam.

1. Emails which pass through the first two tests are then subjected to rigorous header and body tests for telltale signs of spam. An example of such a test is one which tests if the message is purporting to be sent in the distant past. If an email fails a test, the spam score increases. The final score - if above a threshold - leads to the email being flagged as ‘Possibly Spam’ or ‘Very Possibly Spam’.