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Spam is an ever increasing problem, some statistics indicate that 50 percent of all email is considered spam and it's getting worse. In an effort to address the problem, The I. S. Department will be evaluating anti-spam solutions for potential use by UTMB. Starting in mid September testing will begin for a spam filter at UTMB. The evaluation process will consist of a 3 phase approach. Anti-Spam Evaluation Project Continues In an effort to address the ever increasing spam problem, Information Services has been testing an anti-spam solution for potential use by UTMB. Initial tests indicate that 45-65 percent of all email destined to the UTMB network is spam. On Sept. 5, 2003 testing began on a spam solution for UTMB. This evaluation process consists of three phases. · Phase I - Monitoring & Reporting Phase · Phase II - Tagging Phase · Phase III - Quarantine Phase Update (November 7,2003): The Anti-Spam Evaluation Project Continues Testing of the third SPAM filtering product will begin the week of Monday, Nov. 10, and continue for about two weeks. During testing users can once again expect to see the word “SPAM” in the subject line of email that has been tagged as SPAM by the filter. Your continued assistance with this project is requested. During this time period, if you receive legitimate email that has been tagged as SPAM or SPAM email that has not been tagged, please forward it to cirt@utmb.edu. Thank you for your effort and patience during our testing of these products. It is tremendously appreciated. If you have any questions about the evaluation, please contact Bob Shaffer at ext. 23818 or email him at rvshaffe@utmb.edu.
Phase I - “Monitoring & Reporting Phase” · Install and configure the spam filter to be in passive mode. · Monitor and log spam traffic and monitor impact if any This portion of the evaluation tested product functionality and allowed for performance tuning and monitoring. There was no impact to the end-user.
· Tag all Spam messages All email destined for the UTMB network is being processed by the spam filter. As you may have noticed, you’ve probably been receiving some email with the word “Spam” inserted at the beginning of the subject line. This email has been identified by the spam filter as being spam. It is requested that you review all email that has been tagged as spam. If you feel that legitimate email is being tagged, report those concerns to cirt@utmb.edu as soon as possible.
· Quarantine all messages identified as spam PHASE III WILL ONLY BE IMPLEMENTED IF THE EXPECTATIONS OF PHASE II ARE MET. (Notification of phase III implementation will be published in the UTMB daily announcements on Sept. 29, 2003) The expectations of Phase II is to evaluate the accuracy of the spam filter, i.e. identify as much spam as possible while minimizing the impact of legitimate mail. Once the accuracy has been established and it has been determined that the impact to legitimate email is minimal, we will move into Phase III. Phase III of the project will result in the re-routing of all spam messages. (No email will be deleted. All messages identified as spam will be stored 30 days.) If during this phase you feel that legitimate email is not reaching you, please contact the Information Services HelpDesk at ext. 25200. Your mail that was marked as spam and rerouted will be reviewed and all legitimate email will be restored. If you have any questions concerning this document, |