Email SPAM messages:

March 2006 issue

Why can't IS do more to block the incessant junk mail that floods our inboxes. I only use my DPU email for work related issues and yet I get 8 to 10 spam messages per day.

Response

Source: Vince Kellen
Title: Vice President, Information Services
Unit/Department: Information Services

Response: Information Services offers Outlook users the option to register for anti-SPAM control.  Anti-SPAM control is available to all Outlook users through the campus portal.  Although there has been a modest adoption rate of about 20% for anti-SPAM filtering, the usage of anti-SPAM filtering capabilities available to faculty and staff continues to climb.  The university is also taking action by preventing SPAMer's from using university distribution lists.

The anti-SPAM control provided by Information Services, via the campus portal, scans email from outside of the university and identifies or "tags" it as potential SPAM.  If the email is identified as possible SPAM, it will be tagged with a special subject line but it will NOT be automatically deleted.  The user chooses whether to read the tagged emails or delete such messages.

Registering for anti-SPAM control is simple:

1. Log on to Campus Connection.
2. Select “Demographic Portfolio” from the main menu.
3. Select “E-mail addresses.”
4. Select “Start/change spam control” and follow the directions provided.

You can find more information about anti-SPAM control at http://is.depaul.edu/communication/email/spam_works.asp. Many users are successfully combating spam using this solution.

On an ongoing basis, IS evaluates new technologies and approaches that could further reduce SPAM and will bring them to the university community appropriately. Currently, we are investigating real-time blocking lists and automated content checking mechanisms that may help. We would be happy to meet with individuals or groups to discuss how they use email and offer tips on improving SPAM control.