A Linux spam filtering SMTP relay

[AluminumStudios]

I'm not a Linux guru, but I'm interested in setting up a spam filter gateway at work.

We have an Exchange server. I'd like to point our MX record at a Linux box which would recieve mail via SMTP, add "**SPAM**" to the subject line of messages that it believes are spam, then forward the messages on to our Exchange server.

I did a bit of a look around but quickly became overwhelmed when I saw dozens of open source spam projects x dozens of configuration options x many different MTAs.

Does anyone have a configuration that they like and most importantly a good guide or documentation on it?

 

[Netopia]

http://imgate.meiway.com/

 

[n0cmonkey]

http://www.aei.ca/~pmatulis/pub/obsd_mfg-1.html

 

[Nothinman]

I don't have a doc handy, but all you should need is a SMTP daemon like Postfix and a spam scanner like spamassasin and I'm sure there are plenty of docs on setting both of those up.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Nothinman
I don't have a doc handy, but all you should need is a SMTP daemon like Postfix and a spam scanner like spamassasin and I'm sure there are plenty of docs on setting both of those up.

He's a linux user, he needs his hand held.

 

[skyking]

Yeah, plenty of docs and plenty of config files in spamassassin. Tons of them, as a matter of fact. The settings can interact in strange and wonderous ways!
Don't get me wrong, I use it, and spamassassin is very good. The config files are sometimes a bit much to wrap your head around.

 

[AluminumStudios]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: Nothinman
I don't have a doc handy, but all you should need is a SMTP daemon like Postfix and a spam scanner like spamassasin and I'm sure there are plenty of docs on setting both of those up.

He's a linux user, he needs his hand held.

I don't need my hand held, I need some clear documentation, not this crap that comes with most open source projects.

I've used Linux a moderate amount (mainly setting up Apache web servers or machines for other people to install/run their projects from.)

My issue is a lot of the documentation and stuff out there assumes you are already an expert at configuring Postfix or sendmail. I'm looking for a useful guide on a config someone else has had luck with (because as I mention in my e-mail just searching the web you find too many options .)

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: AluminumStudios

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: Nothinman
I don't have a doc handy, but all you should need is a SMTP daemon like Postfix and a spam scanner like spamassasin and I'm sure there are plenty of docs on setting both of those up.

He's a linux user, he needs his hand held.

I don't need my hand held, I need some clear documentation, not this crap that comes with most open source projects.

I've used Linux a moderate amount (mainly setting up Apache web servers or machines for other people to install/run their projects from.)

My issue is a lot of the documentation and stuff out there assumes you are already an expert at configuring Postfix or sendmail. I'm looking for a useful guide on a config someone else has had luck with (because as I mention in my e-mail just searching the web you find too many options .)

Use the docs to learn how to setup your mail server, then use the docs to learn how to setup the rest.

 

[Netopia]

Originally posted by: AluminumStudios

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: Nothinman
I don't have a doc handy, but all you should need is a SMTP daemon like Postfix and a spam scanner like spamassasin and I'm sure there are plenty of docs on setting both of those up.

He's a linux user, he needs his hand held.

I don't need my hand held, I need some clear documentation, not this crap that comes with most open source projects.

I've used Linux a moderate amount (mainly setting up Apache web servers or machines for other people to install/run their projects from.)

My issue is a lot of the documentation and stuff out there assumes you are already an expert at configuring Postfix or sendmail. I'm looking for a useful guide on a config someone else has had luck with (because as I mention in my e-mail just searching the web you find too many options .)

I have to agree. It's hard sometimes to learn new things in some areas of Linux because often the documentation assumes a very high level of knowledge about the subject at hand. For instance, a couple of years ago I was looking for a good EASY (for IDIOTS STYLE...to be honest) online tutorial of Postfix. At that time pretty much everything I could find that had any real meat to it made an assumption that you were already well versed in the various mail protocols and that you had at least some sort of general knowledge of pertainent RFCs. This was the first linux mail server that I'd ever tried to do anything with... this is where I would GET the knowledge of those things.
(ok... I actually had other servers running and new most of it, but had never done it under *nix)

I realize that there are books and other resources out there one can grab... and many of you on the boards are VERY generous with your help... but I have to agree with and back up AluminumStudios that sometimes the info you can find out there just assumes a level of knowledge that those of us trying to learn just don't have yet.

Joe

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Netopia

Originally posted by: AluminumStudios

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: Nothinman
I don't have a doc handy, but all you should need is a SMTP daemon like Postfix and a spam scanner like spamassasin and I'm sure there are plenty of docs on setting both of those up.

He's a linux user, he needs his hand held.

I don't need my hand held, I need some clear documentation, not this crap that comes with most open source projects.

I've used Linux a moderate amount (mainly setting up Apache web servers or machines for other people to install/run their projects from.)

My issue is a lot of the documentation and stuff out there assumes you are already an expert at configuring Postfix or sendmail. I'm looking for a useful guide on a config someone else has had luck with (because as I mention in my e-mail just searching the web you find too many options .)

I have to agree. It's hard sometimes to learn new things in some areas of Linux because often the documentation assumes a very high level of knowledge about the subject at hand. For instance, a couple of years ago I was looking for a good EASY (for IDIOTS STYLE...to be honest) online tutorial of Postfix. At that time pretty much everything I could find that had any real meat to it made an assumption that you were already well versed in the various mail protocols and that you had at least some sort of general knowledge of pertainent RFCs. This was the first linux mail server that I'd ever tried to do anything with... this is where I would GET the knowledge of those things.
(ok... I actually had other servers running and new most of it, but had never done it under *nix)

I realize that there are books and other resources out there one can grab... and many of you on the boards are VERY generous with your help... but I have to agree with and back up AluminumStudios that sometimes the info you can find out there just assumes a level of knowledge that those of us trying to learn just don't have yet.

Joe

Hand holding how-tos are useless. They teach pretty much nothing.
There are documents on probably everything that doc expects you to know about.
If you don't know the basics of how email works, why should you have control over an email server? 😛

 

[Netopia]

If you don't know the basics of how email works, why should you have control over an email server?

That was a low blow using obvious logic! 😉

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Netopia

If you don't know the basics of how email works, why should you have control over an email server?

That was a low blow using obvious logic! 😉

😀 The Qmail and Postfix books I own are quite good, BTW.

 

[Netopia]

Yeah... I've looked at some good books, but these days.... these days I WANT FREE MANUALS AND INFO ON THE NET!

Jaded and spoiled is what we've become! 😱

Joe

 

[Booty]

I'm in the same boat - the problem with having to go through all the docs is how much time it takes... I definitely agree that going through them and really learning your stuff is the way to go, but sometimes you just need to get a solutions put together as quickly as possible (while still doing it right).

Anyway, what Qmail/Postfix/other books would be recommended? This is stuff I have to learn as well.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Booty
I'm in the same boat - the problem with having to go through all the docs is how much time it takes... I definitely agree that going through them and really learning your stuff is the way to go, but sometimes you just need to get a solutions put together as quickly as possible (while still doing it right).

Did you read the entire manual when you were learning how to drive, or just bits and pieces? 😛

HOWTOs are not the way to learn. A FAQ is useful, a howto is not.

Anyway, what Qmail/Postfix/other books would be recommended? This is stuff I have to learn as well.

It depends on your environment. The Oreilly books are great.

EDIT: A quick quote from someone who has written more documentation that I've read:

I have been involved in educating others in various ways for going on
thirty years now, I have some opinions on how best to teach people. 🙂

"HOWTO" is just plain wrong.
Teach someone how to ping a node, they know how to ping a node. Teach
them how ping works, and a few examples on how it could be used, they
will have a tool they may use in ways the teacher never imagined.

A poor teacher will not convey what they know to the student.
An average teacher brings a student to nearly their level.
A good teacher helps the best students far beyond their level.

I'd argue I'm a pretty good teacher, I've seen where some of my students
have gone. 🙂

🙂

 

[TerryMathews]

Here's a way to spam-filter in just 7 easy steps:
1. Download netinstall CD for Debian Woody (stable)
2. Install base debian, forget about other packages, we'll do them manually.
3. From the command line as root "apt-get install postfix spamassassin ipopd fetchmail"
4. Follow configuration prompts
5. Make changes found on this webpage.
6.
7. Profit!

From here, you'll need to stop the exchange server from polling e-mail, setup fetchmail to retrieve your mail (it's configured via /etc/fetchmailrc and it's very simple), then set the exchange server to poll the new spamfiltering server via POP3.

 

[Booty]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Did you read the entire manual when you were learning how to drive, or just bits and pieces? 😛

Actually, I just observed people driving as I was growing up, then just jumped behind the wheel once I got my permit. 😉

I know what you're saying though... I guess what I'm saying is that, though I don't know how to rebuild my engine or check my brakes (about all I can do is basic maintenance like chaning the oil), I can drive my car just fine, and that's all I need it for right now. I'd love to learn the ins and outs of how it works some day, but for now, what's important is being able to get to and from work every day.

So in the same sense, I absolutely want to learn the ins and outs of Linux, of how e-mail works, etc., etc... but the reason people are drawn to HOWTOs is because sometimes they just have to get something working on a deadline. Yeah, I know it's not the right way to do it, but sometimes you just don't have that option.

Anyway, I totally agree with you - just playing devil's advocate. If I'm forced to do it the 'HOWTO' way, I try my best to go back afterwards and learn the ins and outs of what I just did.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Booty

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Did you read the entire manual when you were learning how to drive, or just bits and pieces? 😛

Actually, I just observed people driving as I was growing up, then just jumped behind the wheel once I got my permit. 😉

I know what you're saying though... I guess what I'm saying is that, though I don't know how to rebuild my engine or check my brakes (about all I can do is basic maintenance like chaning the oil), I can drive my car just fine, and that's all I need it for right now. I'd love to learn the ins and outs of how it works some day, but for now, what's important is being able to get to and from work every day.

So in the same sense, I absolutely want to learn the ins and outs of Linux, of how e-mail works, etc., etc... but the reason people are drawn to HOWTOs is because sometimes they just have to get something working on a deadline. Yeah, I know it's not the right way to do it, but sometimes you just don't have that option.

Anyway, I totally agree with you - just playing devil's advocate. If I'm forced to do it the 'HOWTO' way, I try my best to go back afterwards and learn the ins and outs of what I just did.

You don't need to know how to write a sendmail patch or anything to setup a sendmail server. 😉