Spam FAQ

1. What is spam?
2. How did these people get my email address?
3. Why am I receiving spam that is not addressed to me?
4. What can I do about spam?
5. Does Vianet offer a spam filtering service?
6. How does the spam filter work?
7. Does the spam filter block popup windows?
8. Is there a backup of messages that are removed by the filter?
9. My filter is enabled but I'm still getting spam!
10. Legitimate messages are being removed by the spam filter. What should I do?
11. I am receiving messages and/or failure notices for messages I did not send!
12. I am receiving an error message "Email filters at Vianet believe this message to be spam" when attempting to send a message. How do I correct this?
13. How do I enable SMTP authentication?
14. I have more questions!

Q1: What is spam?

A: Unsolicited commercial email or newsgroup postings.

Q2: How did these people get my email address?

A1: Collection: There are many methods used to obtain an email address. Email addresses can be harvested from newsgroups, message boards, guest books, online contests, chain letters, online greeting cards, mailing lists, web pages and software applications that require an email address to create an account.

A2: Random Name Generation: Spam can be sent by generating and sending messages to a random list of email addresses containing names and initials. For example, john.doe@vianet.ca, jdoe@vianet.ca and j.doe@vianet.ca.

A3: Common dictionary words will be used to create email addresses. For example, dictionary words such as blue, green, sun, sunday, flower, driver and train can be used to generate the email addresses blue@vianet.ca, green@vianet.ca, sun@vianet.ca, sunday@vianet.ca, flower@vianet.ca, driver@vianet.ca, and train@vianet.ca.

Q3: Why am I receiving spam that is not addressed to me?

A: The message is actually addressed to you but not seen in the "To:" or "Cc:" field. The sender has used the Bcc (Blind Carbon Copy) field instead.

Q4: What can I do about spam?

A:

1. Enable your Vianet spam filter.
2. Never reply or attempt to unsubscribe to spam. This will only confirm that your email address is active.
3. Never buy anything that is advertised through spam. If they make money from spam, they'll keep sending spam.
4. Give your email address only to people you trust.
5. Install an email client such as Thunderbird that prevents the loading of remote images. Email messages containing remote images can be used to determine if your email account is active.
6. Don't sign up for email lists such as "daily jokes", "stock market quotes", "news headlines" etc. This will only cause your email address to be distributed.
7. Don't forward chain letters.
8. If an email looks suspicious to you, delete it.
9. Keep your Computer updated.
10. Install an AntiVirus and Firewall.
11. Install a Spam Filter on your computer.

Q5: Does Vianet offer a spam filtering service?

A: Yes. A spam filtering service is available free of charge. The filter can be enabled by logging into Vianet MailTools.

Q6: How does the spam filter work?

A: The spam filter uses a rulebase and scoring system that marks messages containing certain headers, keywords, phrases, or email addresses as spam. Any messages that are marked as spam can be viewed by logging into Vianet WebMail.

Q7: Does the spam filter block popup windows?

A: No. The spam filter does not block popup windows. Please install Ad-aware, a web browser such as Mozilla, Firefox, or a third party application such as the Google Toolbar to block popup windows.

Q8: Is there a backup of messages that are removed by the filter?

A: Yes. Messages that are removed by the filter can be viewed by logging into Vianet WebMail.

Q9: My filter is enabled but I'm still getting spam!

A: Please use Vianet MailTools to adjust your spam filter rules.

Q10: Legitimate messages are being removed by the spam filter. What should I do?

A: Please use Vianet MailTools to adjust your spam filter rules.

Q11: I am receiving messages and/or failure notices for messages I did not send!

A: These type of  failure notices are the result of spammers or viruses inserting a false "from address" in an email.

Q12: I am receiving an error message "Email filters at Vianet believe this message to be spam" when attempting to send a message. How do I correct this?

A: Enable SMTP authentication in your email client. Please contact Vianet Technical Support at 1-800-788-0363 should you need assistance enabling SMTP authentication.

Q13: How do I enable SMTP authentication?

A1: To enable SMTP authentication in Outlook Express:

1. On the Outlook Express Tools menu, click Accounts.
2. Click the Mail tab, and then double-click your e-mail account.
3. Click the Servers tab.
4. Under "Outgoing Mail Server", click the checkbox beside "My server requires authentication".
5. Click the "Settings" Button.
6. Click "Log on using".
7. Enter your full Vianet email address as the account name.
8. Enter your current account password.
9. Check "Remember Password".
10. Click "OK", "OK" again and "Close".

A2: To enable SMTP authentication in Thunderbird:

1. Go to "Tools -> Account Settings -> Outgoing Server (SMTP)".
   (If using SeaMonkey: go to "Edit -> Mail & Newsgroup Account Settings -> Outgoing Server (SMTP)".)
2. Select the server and press the Edit button.
3. Check the "Use name and password" option.
4. Enter your full email address as the User Name.
5. Click "OK".
   Note: You will be prompted for a password the next time you send a message.

Q14: I have more questions!

A: Please fill out our Online Support Form or contact Vianet Technical Support at 1-800-788-0363.