summary: GroupWise Rule-based Spam Filtering last updated: Thursday, January, 9, 2002 prepared by: rev test hardware: Gateway E3200 test OS: XP professional version 2002 -------- Overview -------- The propagation of unsolicited "junk" email otherwise known as "spam" is an ever increasing problem for Internet culture. Some internet services providers estimate that anywhere from 30 to 50 percent of all email sent to their mail servers are these spam messages. Its very likely that if you have an email address at some point you have received spam. With this in mind there is a simple technique within the Novell GroupWise mail client to help combat the spam problem. This technique involves creating rules that will automatically filter spam messages sending them directly to the Trash. This document details the creation of such rules. ------------ Requirements ------------ A DePaul University GroupWise email account. GroupWise client software must be installed. This client is available for DePaul University use here: A spam message with originating email (From:) address to block. ------------- Configuration ------------- After determining that a particular email address is sending spam, use the following steps to filter and delete future mailings from the offending email address: 1. In the GroupWise main Window, click Tools and then Rules. On the new window that appears click New. 2. Another new window will appear. This window is where GroupWise rules are defined. Start first by typing a name for your rule. This rule should be something easy to associate with its function. So if you have received a message from spam@example.com you might name your rule something like: SPAM FILTER: spam@example.com 3. Click Define Conditions. 4. Choose the "From" field in the first drop-down field list. 5. Select "Contains" from the second drop-down menu. 6. In the Text box, type the offending source (From:) email address that GroupWise should filter. 7. Click OK. 8. Click Add Action and select the Delete/Decline option from the drop-down list. 9. Click Save. This will close the Rule creation window and establish your new rule. 10. The new rule is enabled when there is a checkmark beside it. ----- Notes ----- Optionally one may create rules via a GroupWise Webaccess interface. This document provides specific setup instructions for the client software only, however, the rule creation process is similar. DePaul University webmail is available at: Filtering spam messages based on the source (From:) address alone is actually a very limited way of stopping spam. Other types of rules could be used, such as filtering on the Subject:, To: or message body text. However, care must be taken when creating more complex rules, because if implemented incorrectly, a filter may block email that is not spam. Future GroupWise software is expected to have enhanced spam filtering capabilities. In addition, the Networks and Telecom R&D team is looking at ways to offer a comprehensive, opt-in spam blocking service in the future. ------- Changes ------- 2003-01-09,rev: first draft 2003-01-09,jtk: minor edits and updates