General Issues

1. I have setup email forwarding to another account on the webmail system, will that continue to work?
2. If I am using a "vacation auto-responder" on webmail will that work after installing filters?
3. What approach should I take if I want to be "aggressive" about filtering Spam?
4. What approach should I take if I am want to make sure the smallest amount of "legitimate" email isn't filtered?

Installing Spam Filters

1. If I added rules on the webmail system will they be moved over to the new system?
2. What is the difference between "Always Allow" and "Mailing List Allow"?
3. Why would I choose "Never Allow: ALL"?
4. Why do you recommend I choose to "Move to Spam Folder"?

Changing or Removing Spam Filters

1. If I change my mind on how my filters are set up can I change them?
2. How do I stop using the Spam Filters?

Using your email program with Spam Filters

1. How do I view the "SpamFolder" that suspected junk email is being filtered to?
2. Do I have to use IMAP instead of POP3?
3. Will messages in my "SpamFolder" be deleted by the filter after a period of time has passed?
4. What email programs can be used with the Spam Filter?

General Issues

1. I have setup email forwarding to another account on the webmail system, will that continue to work?

If you are currently using the Spam Filter your existing email forwarding setup will be carried over to the new system in our conversion. If you install the Spam Filter after our conversion, and you already have a forwarding set up you will need to re-enter that forwarding information as part of the installation.
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2. If I am using a "vacation auto-responder" on webmail will that work after installing filters?

Much like the "Mail Redirect" the "Vacation Message" functionality moves from webmail to the Spam Filter upon activation. Selections you have made with the current Spam Filter will be moved for you during the conversion. If you install the new filters after the conversion, after running the initial setup wizard click on "Vacation Message" from the main menu. Beware, this is a tool that can be abused by people sending spam. Automatically sending a message upon receipt of an email can alert the junk mail sender that your account is active.
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3. What approach should I take if I want to be "aggressive" about filtering Spam?

Enabling the new "High" of filtering will block a great deal of junk email. With this option selected you will want to keep a close eye on your "SpamFolder" to check for email that you do want.

The most aggressive way to block spam is to use the "Always Allow / Never Allow" tools. Add all of the email addresses that you would ever want to get email from in your "Always Allow". Then check "Yes" in the "Never Allow" section. This will block all email sent to you except those listed in your "Always Allow" list.
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4. What approach should I take if I am want to make sure the smallest amount of "legitimate" email isn't filtered?

Our testing has shown that very little legitimate email is blocked if you select the "Low" (default) or "Medium" levels of spam filtering.
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Installing Spam Filters

1. If I added rules on the webmail system will they be moved over to the new system?

Any rules you added on the old webmail system will be uninstalled as part of the Spam Filter installation process. You can see the rules we have created for you in the webmail "Rules" section but you cannot edit them from there. If you would prefer to set up your rules you can uninstall the Spam Filter and then re-enter webmail and the option to add rules will be restored.
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2. What is the difference between "Always Allow" and "Mailing List Allow"?

"Always Allow" should be used for email addresses that you always want to receive email from, regardless of whether or not the message violated one of the Spam Filter's rules. The key for "Always Allow" is who the message was sent FROM.

"Mailing List Allow" is to be used for any Internet mailing lists that you subscribe to. To ensure that you get email from the mailing lists you subscribe to you can add the email address that the mailing list is sent TO in the "Mailing List Allow" section. For example if you are subscribed to a mailing list regarding community events those messages may be sent TO communityevents@yourtown.com. You can add "communityevents@yourtown.com" to the list in order for them not to be filtered.
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3. Why would I choose "Never Allow: ALL"?

This is a very aggressive method of blocking Spam. If you select "Yes" in the "Never Allow" area only messages that you have in the "Always Allow" will be allowed into your Inbox.
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4. Why do you recommend I choose to "Move to Spam Folder"?

The alternative is to delete the message or add a "_spam_" tag onto the email's subject line. You may find that at times legitimate messages will be blocked by the Spam Filter. If you "Move to Spam Folder" you have the opportunity to look through that folder occasionally to check for legitimate messages that were blocked. If you select "Discard" the message is deleted, and unrecoverable by anyone. If you select the "tagging with _spam_ option you will still see those messages in your INBOX unless you set up filtering with your email program.
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Changing or Removing Spam Filters

1. If I change my mind on how my filters are set up can I change them?

Absolutely! At any time after using the setup wizard to get started with the Spam Filter you can log back into the system to make changes. Simply point your web browser at http://spamfilter.netwtc.net!
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2. How do I stop using the Spam Filters?

You can uninstall the Spam Filters by logging in and selecting the "Uninstall Filters" from the menu on the left-hand side of the page. You will be asked to confirm this decision. You can "re-install" the Spam Filters at a later time but will need to re-populate any modifications you made prior to uninstallation.
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Using your email program with Spam Filters

1. How do I view the "SpamFolder" that suspected junk email is being filtered to?

To view the "SpamFolder" log into Webmail. There will be a new folder visible called "SpamFolder" in the list of folders that also includes your Inbox.

For instructions on how to move an email from your "SpamFolder" into your INBOX using Webmail, use this link: http://support.netwtc.net/security/movespam.htm. Instructions on how to remove junk from your "SpamFolder" can be found here: http://support.netwtc.net/security/deletespam.htm.
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2. Can I use IMAP instead of POP3?

An alternative way to keep an eye on your "SpamFolder" is to use a different method of checking your email called "IMAP". Most email programs use the other method of checking for email which is called "POP3". The primary difference between IMAP and POP3 is that with IMAP you view your messages on the email server, with POP3 you download the message and view it from your computer. Using IMAP also allows you to have more than one "folder" for you to keep email in on the server. When you install the Spam Filters on your account we automatically create a "SpamFolder" in which we recommend you store your junk email.

To learn how to change your email program from POP3 to IMAP so you can view the junk email (and review it for messages that shouldn't have been filtered) visit our eSupport site for POP3/IMAP conversion!
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3. Will messages in my "SpamFolder" be deleted by the filter after a period of time has passed?

Each email "box" on our email servers is limited to 50MB. If your mailbox reaches the 50MB limit (combined from both your Inbox and SpamFolder) you will not be able to receive new email.

To prevent this from happening we have implemented a system that will remove messages from your SpamFolder that are older than 30 days. While this will not eliminate the possibility of you reaching the 50MB limit, it should help.

The important thing is to check the messages in your SpamFolder at least once every week or two to delete any junk email you don't need.
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4. What email programs can be used with the Spam Filter and IMAP?

Any email program that provides the ability to use IMAP instead of POP3 for incoming email will work with the Spam Filter system. Technical Support is available only for Outlook Express. We do also have instructions for switching from POP3 to IMAP for other popular programs on our eSupport website.
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