SPAM!

[tomhanser]

Eliminating or reducing spam is an old topic, of course.

I have a personal email address that is very important to me, and I'm reluctant to just kill it. I have a domain name registered and a web site hosted by Dreamhost.

Increasing the SPAM filter setting on their web panel reduces SPAM, but blocks too many legitimate emails. That's not working.

I'm tired of deleting SPAM all day. MSFT Office does a good job of sorting SPAM, but I still have to delete those emails.

I'm wondering if disabling the email address on Dreamhost for a month or so will bounce all these emails, and stop them? After a month I could start using that address again. I hate to just stop using that address altogether.

I understand that forwarding this email account to my GMail account will filter a great deal of the SPAM. Is this necessary and will it work?

Is there an easier way to eliminates SPAM to my personal email address?

I'm careful to not use that address for too much online activity or purchases, but...it's happened anyway.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[RebateMonger]

You need to find a better spam filter. Your options include:

1) Change AV programs. Another may have a better SPAM filter.
2) Change your email host. Just because your web site is hosted at Dreamhost doesn't mean you can't move your mail to another mail server.
3) Set up a third-party spam screener that is more effective than the one built-in at your mail provider.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

I have GMail pick up my Dreamhost mail and it has an excellent spam filter. Almost never catches a false positive.

 

[tomhanser]

Hmm...

Changing AV programs: I have the McAfee Virus Scan installed and updates are run EVERYDAY.

Which email host can you suggest I switch to?

Having GMail pick up my Dreamhost mail might still be an option. But there must be a simpler way.

A third party screener might be an option but it's another service to setup, manage and monitor for legitimate emails.

Rule of thumb: be careful where you submit your email addresses. It'll come back on you and stopping all this SPAM is a real chore.

Thanks, everyone.

 

[corkyg]

I now get zero spam on my main email address. First, my ISP has a spam control program (Spam Shield Pro) that allows me to use a designated white list only. I control that and do not use it for internet buying.

I have another "open" email address I use for purcheses and registrations. I control that easily using Mail Washer Pro. That lets me see what is in my POP box without downloading. I can then simply mark spam and silly FWD notes for deletion at the server and they never reach my PC.

I haven't seen a single piece of spam in over a year. And, I have my old email address, now reserved for those I designate only.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: corkyg
I control that easily using Mail Washer Pro. That lets me see what is in my POP box without downloading.

I forget about the third-party PC-based filters. I had pretty good luck with a freebie one on a POP3 mailbox. But all my mail servers are now Exchange, and I don't believe those will work with Exchange and it's special MAPI protocol.