Re: can't block spammer

WaxhawRon wrote:
Hi there,

I use XP Pro 2nd Edition with OE6 for my e-mails. I have set up a
number of message rules to block various spammers, but one particular
spammer gets by the message rules:

webhostlowcosthost.com

I have this in the the Where the From Line Contains People, both as
webhostlowcosthost and as webhostlowcosthost.com

The Action selected for this rule is to delete it from the server.

But I still get about 4-8 e-mail spams from this address daily. For
example:

AHS_Home_Warranty.vdedolf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1Ink.xsyvyc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cash4Gold.ykrtrmm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Colon_Aid.dg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Google_Easy_Profits.nelbrjvi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
2insure4less.sebdqtdl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Debt_solutions.ddgyx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
GlucoBalance_MD.rsykktc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Apparently these spammers have figured out a way to get past the
message rules in OE6. Any ideas how to block this? Please help.

Unless you check "Leave a copy of messages on server", "Delete from the
server" should have no effect. Emails are usually downloaded from the
server, then the rules are applied. So you should change the rule to
delete any email from those addresses, mark as read, and end filtering
for that email.

If you want a working method to block all SPAM, create these two mail
rules in OE to send "unknowns" to another folder. You'll still have to
look at the headers. I look at the "sender" column first to help decide
whether each is a legitimate email or not.

In Outlook Express, click Tools, Message Rules, Mail.

_First rule:_

A. In "Select the conditions for your rule" click "Where the from line
contains people", click "contains people", click Address Book, click
the first name, shift-click the last, click "From" button, click OK.

B. In "Select the actions for your rule", click "Stop processing more
rules". This will let everyone in your address book fall through to
your Inbox.

C. Name the first rule "Pass" or "Accept".

_Second rule:_

A. In "Select the conditions for your rule" click "For all messages"

B. In "Select the actions for your rule", click "Move to the specified
folder". Click "Specified" in the bottom pane, click New Folder, type
SPAM, click OK, click the SPAM folder to highlight, click OK to select
that folder.

C. Name the rule "SPAM".

This moves the unwanted emails to the SPAM folder.

_If you find an email in the SPAM folder you don't want filtered_

- Click and drag the email to the Inbox. While it's still highlighted:

- Click "Message", "Create Rule from Message".

- In "Select conditions for your rule":

"Where the From line contains people" should already be checked and
should show the email address of the person you're adding under "Rule
Description".

- In "Select the actions for your rule"

Click "Stop Processing more rules".

- "Name the rule"
Name the rule after the individual so it's easier to recognize.

Make sure the rule is NOT listed last. If it is, move it upwards. The
SPAM rule must be the last one listed.

_Advantages_

1. No SPAM or other malware from email! No amount of filtering by
sender or subject matter will prevent spammers; they use a different
subject and address every few days. But this setup prevents ALL SPAM
from fictitious addresses.

2. Few Viruses! Only viruses from compromised systems which have your
email address in their address book.

3. After checking through subject lines in the SPAM folder, you can
delete all the spam, etc. without viewing them. Press Ctrl/A to select
all subjects, press Shift/Delete to permanently delete all messages in
the SPAM folder. This way, short of viewing the first email in the
list, no other email is actually viewed.

_With Thunderbird_
(OE7 might have this feature too.)

Create one rule. Click:

Tools, Message Filters, Filters for Email account, New, make the Filter
Name "SPAM", If "From" "isn't in my address book" "Personal Address
Book", Perform these actions: "Move Message to" "Trash on Local Folders".

Check Unread messages in the Trash folder and delete occasionally. Drag
to the Inbox if you want to keep one. Right-click the email in the
header, click "Add to Address Book" if you find you've missed one.

--
Joe =o)
.