PureMessage is now used by Systems Design for filtering out spam in the mail
server. Below is the perspective from user after four weeks of usage.
The major difference is that now instead of 30 mails a day, I have about 12
mails a day. Of course, there are a couple of mails from the administrator
indicating that these mails have been quarantined. I now have more time for
other tasks.
Sometimes the administrator email will contain 5 or 6 spam headers with a
percentage probability. Some of the administrator’s email will only have one
spam header with the percentage probability. This is because of the setting and
the timing when the spam mail comes through. So far, there has not been one
false positive. That is, a mail that I want to read but the anti-spam software
had a wrong classification. I am told that mails with a probability of 80% or
more will be delivered this way.
For mails that are 50%-80% probability, the delivery mechanism is different. The
header will be tagged with [SPAM:#] if the mail is 50%-59% spam. It will be
tagged with [SPAM:##] if the mail is 60%-69% spam. It will have [SPAM:###] if
the mail is 70%-79% spam. The emails will be delivered to the end user.
Out of curiosity, I tried to retrieve a spam mail that was quarantined by
PureMessage. It was a simple click of the button. That particular spam mail was
not delivered to me instantly. It took more than 30 minutes. I was told later
that the administrator has set the job to deliver such requested mail to be run
every hour.
There is also a web-based and user interface program. In this interface, I can
set my white list. That is, any mail from this mail server will not be
considered as spam. I can also set my black list. That is, any mail from this
mail server is considered spam. I can also opt out from the PureMessage
checking. I am also told that based on certain criteria, the spam mail can be
directed to a different folder where I can go through during my free time.
After one month of usage, I am glad that I have more time to go fewer mails
without the thought that I missed something important.