Stop spam in its tracks...

[markblair]

I'm only posting this because I feel that others could easily benefit from this program. I've only just heard about it today and I am trying it out first before buying. The problem? I've been getting slammed recently, more than ever, with more and more spam that it is getting ridiculous. If I didn't know any better, the stock market has made a huge rebound as so many great stocks appear to be available. Of course there are also the normal messages about buying domain names, hosting or satellite cable but it just seems like I have been added to a few more spammers lists.

I did a search today on Google for "Spam Blocking Software" and I found a program that, at least for me, will immediately help the situation. The program is called "ChoiceMail One" by DigiPortal (http://www.digiportal.com/). Basically what this program does is allow you to have a 'whitelist' of allowed senders and a 'blacklist' of those that cannot send to you. It filters everything and if someone is not on either list, it will send them a message asking them to request to be approved via an online form. Now I know many will think the use of the form makes this look negative because nobody wants to submit a form for approval to send you e-mail. However, you can turn that option off as I have it now setup that way. I'll do that long enough to make sure I've added the right people to my 'whitelist'. Then, I could care less if a spammer is being told to request approval. Most won't get the message anyway and their spam is still automatically rejected.

Again, I just thought that others may find this information useful. I've barely touched the program today alone with their trial and have yet to purchase it until I am sure it is what I've been looking for. So far, I'm impressed. I know Chicken has mentioned about possibly eliminating some older e-mail addresses due to all the spam. This appears to be a program that would prevent that from needing to happen.

Any thoughts from others? Maybe anyone that's tried or currently uses this program?

[Chicken]

There are a few like this (I've gotten approval requests back when trying to send people email before). Can't recall the names of any of them (heh) at the moment, but thought Spam Assassin was one, (cpanel), but that can't be right. This one was a service, you signed up blah blah. Some people on the forum use it, maybe Allan?

[markblair]

From what I understand, the difference between the others and the one I spoke of is that with the others if you submit an approval request you are automatically added to the approved list. This program doesn't do that automatically and allows the owner to administer whether or not the requestor is accepted or not. Regardless if they submit the form. This is according to their website since I haven't tried the other programs that do pretty much the same thing.

[allan]

Originally posted by Chicken:
Some people on the forum use it, maybe Allan?

Nope, not me. My problem with a service like this is that too many clueless people send me mail ;). Not spammers, but people who mail me questions from mailing lists I am on, relatives, friends of friends, and so on. I don't want the added complexity of explaining to these people why there is an additional step required to send me mail :).

Chicken, you are correct, Spam Assassin does not do this :).