Will You Add? - Avoiding the Impact of Spam

Unsolicited commercial email, also commonly known as spam, has developed a negative reputation because it is at best a waste of valuable time and at worst an offensive intrusion into one’s desktop. It is estimated that 56% of all mail that passes through the Internet is spam which is an increase of 40% from one year ago today. In addition, it is estimated that spam costs an average of $874 per employee per year, with a loss of approximately 1.4% of productivity due to managing spam on the desktop.

Introduction

Internet email is an electronic system through which messages are transferred between systems on behalf of their users. It is a trusting system in that the mail server will deliver a message to the receipt that it is addressed to. This level of trust becomes a problem when anyone in the world can send an email to anyone. Individuals and organizations that send unsolicited email (spammers) are taking advantage of this trusting system.

Currently, there is very little that can be done to prevent spammers from creating and sending emails. At this time, the only effective remedy to this nuisance is implementing a filtering system to aid in the management of spam.

Determining the Nature of Spam

It is fairly obvious to a person who is reading an advertisement for Viagra that the message is spam. However, to a computer the email is just strings of numbers, letters, and symbols. This is the first challenge in the process of managing spam: how to get a computer to analyze these strings to recognize and differentiate the welcome from the unwelcome emails.

The simplest method for avoiding spam is to only accept mail from authenticated senders. This is easy to implement but would result in the receipt of almost no email from outside organizations. This is due to the trusting nature of the email system which treats every incoming connection as a valid connection. Building a “white list” of known peer servers from trusted organizations (i.e., business partners and clients) is, unfortunately, impossible to maintain for a large organization.

One method for determining whether or not an incoming message is spam is by testing the sending server for full compliance with RFC 2821 and correct DNS setups. RFC 2821 is the specification used to describe how messages are to be sent between SMTP mail servers, and the correct DNS setups have to occur with the cooperation of the ISP who owns the IP address assigned to the mail server. This method of testing for compliance with the RFC’s and collaboration with the sender’s ISP allows the receiving server to block the incoming connection once it has determined that the sending server is probably not a mainstream server. This system works because, traditionally, many spammers have built very basic bulk emailing engines, and many of these engines are so poorly constructed that they are barely capable of sending mail at all. The downside to this method is that there is a high likelihood of a false positive when interacting with some open source or low-cost email servers.

Freeware code or low cost systems are commonly used by small organizations for budgetary reasons. Another issue with this method is that many spammers send their mail through valid mail servers that have been inadvertently left available to act as relays (mail forwarders), and the relay servers will pass all of these initial configuration tests. Is this the End of the Sales Letter?
For a while everyone used to talk about sales letters, you could buy a pack of sales letter or get sales letter software to help you out. But things have started to change, I don’t know if people have gotten more sense or maybe the penny has finally dropped?But, every where you look now everyone seems to be talking about building mailing lists and profiting from them. I’ve even noticed that there has been an increase in the free e-books in circulation about mailing lists. Is this the end of the sales letter?When you look at it even with a very good sales letter the response rate can be only 2-3%, but by building and maintaining a good mailing list the response rate can be 10% and more. The problem with a sales letter is that the prospect only usually comes to it once has a quick look decides “Yes” or “No” to themselves and off the go. So with a 2-3% response rate you lose out on the other 98% of your customers. Some of the “experts” claim that the main reason for having a website is to collect e-mail address and nothing else. Once you have the e-mail address you can follow up on your prospect as often as you want until they either buy something off you or unsubscribe.So where does that leave you, should you pull down that sales letter and put your copywriting books away?Well no, but you should consider building an opt in web page as your first point of contact with your prospect. Give something of value away or get them to sign up to an e-mail course you’ve put together, so now you have an excuse to contact them over a period of time and build up a relationship. When they start to get to know you and trust you, you’ll start to see your sales letter conversion rate start to climb and once they’ve bought off you its easier to sell to them again and again.m in that the mail server will deliver a message to the receipt that it is addressed to. This level of trust becomes a problem when anyone in the world can send an email to anyone. Individuals and organizations that send unsolicited email (spammers) are taking advantage of this trusting system.

Currently, there is very little that can be done to prevent spammers from creating and sending emails. At this time, the only effective remedy to this nuisance is implementing a filtering system to aid in the management of spam.

Determining the Nature of Spam

It is fairly obvious to a person who is reading an advertisement for Viagra that the message is spam. However, to a computer the email is just strings of numbers, letters, and symbols. This is the first challenge in the process of managing spam: how to get a computer to analyze these strings to recognize and differentiate the welcome from the unwelcome emails.

The simplest method for avoiding spam is to only accept mail from authenticated senders. This is easy to implement but would result in the receipt of almost no email from outside organizations. This is due to the trusting nature of the email system which treats every incoming connection as a valid connection. Building a “white list” of known peer servers from trusted organizations (i.e., business partners and clients) is, unfortunately, impossible to maintain for a large organization.

One method for determining whether or not an incoming message is spam is by testing the sending server for full compliance with RFC 2821 and correct DNS setups. RFC 2821 is the specification used to describe how messages are to be sent between SMTP mail servers, and the correct DNS setups have to occur with the cooperation of the ISP who owns the IP address assigned to the mail server. This method of testing for compliance with the RFC’s and collaboration with the sender’s ISP allows the receiving server to block the incoming connection once it has determined that the sending server is probably not a mainstream server. This system works because, traditionally, many spammers have built very basic bulk emailing engines, and many of these engines are so poorly constructed that they are barely capable of sending mail at all. The downside to this method is that there is a high likelihood of a false positive when interacting with some open source or low-cost email servers.

Freeware code or low cost systems are commonly used by small organizations for budgetary reasons. Another issue with this method is that many spammers send their mail through valid mail servers that have been inadvertently left available to act as relays (mail forwarders), and the relay servers will pass all of these initial configuration tests. Do Your Restaurant Marketing Before You Need It
You know I have been involved in many businesses and I continue to advise many more, from large corporates to small business. We own a restaurant and a winery. Very diversified interests! However it never ceases to amaze me that I see so many businesses leave their marketing efforts until they urgently need them…or often until well after. And at that stage it is often too late!!In the restaurant business, owners should know when their quiet times are and also pay attention to what is happening in the economy. The restaurant industry if one of the first to be affected in both economic downturns and also economic upturns.Studies that I am aware of have shown that in many instances marketing results do not pay off for some three to six months after they are set in motion. By making marketing a daily part of your restaurant business, (or any business), you help keep your profits higher and your customer base growing.Many restaurant owners discount the natural attrition factor that occur in daily life, such as customers moving away, having to change their diets for medical reasons, going on holidays, getting sick and all sorts of criteria that affects their trade.Another mistake is to rely on just one method of marketing. To put your marketing efforts into one medium or into one type of marketing is very short sighted and fraught with danger.We use a marketing consultant in our businesses that specialises in low cost marketing. And we have lots of fun doing it too. I recently read an article that he wrote where he talks about a lazy attitude to marketing that I often see restaurant owners making. He states that many just use the standard traditional form of marketing, such as advertising in a newspaper and nothing else because it’s easy and no effort.His name is Darrell Berg-Smith and he states:<ter the email is just strings of numbers, letters, and symbols. This is the first challenge in the process of managing spam: how to get a computer to analyze these strings to recognize and differentiate the welcome from the unwelcome emails.

The simplest method for avoiding spam is to only accept mail from authenticated senders. This is easy to implement but would result in the receipt of almost no email from outside organizations. This is due to the trusting nature of the email system which treats every incoming connection as a valid connection. Building a “white list” of known peer servers from trusted organizations (i.e., business partners and clients) is, unfortunately, impossible to maintain for a large organization.

One method for determining whether or not an incoming message is spam is by testing the sending server for full compliance with RFC 2821 and correct DNS setups. RFC 2821 is the specification used to describe how messages are to be sent between SMTP mail servers, and the correct DNS setups have to occur with the cooperation of the ISP who owns the IP address assigned to the mail server. This method of testing for compliance with the RFC’s and collaboration with the sender’s ISP allows the receiving server to block the incoming connection once it has determined that the sending server is probably not a mainstream server. This system works because, traditionally, many spammers have built very basic bulk emailing engines, and many of these engines are so poorly constructed that they are barely capable of sending mail at all. The downside to this method is that there is a high likelihood of a false positive when interacting with some open source or low-cost email servers.

Freeware code or low cost systems are commonly used by small organizations for budgetary reasons. Another issue with this method is that many spammers send their mail through valid mail servers that have been inadvertently left available to act as relays (mail forwarders), and the relay servers will pass all of these initial configuration tests. How to Get Your Procedures Project Done
Wouldn't it be nice for business owners and executives to be finished with their policies and procedures project already? They know they need to get it done, but maybe it's taking too long. Or perhaps their people are staring at a blank piece of paper, and they don't know where to begin. Or maybe they're not sure what to write. Or they're just too busy.The Usual ScenarioCompanies face these hang-ups everyday, in every industry, in every market. And it can be frustrating when trying to balance the everyday duties with the long-term vision and mission of the company. So which takes priority, and what are the feasible options to help with the process?Save Research TimeWell-defined Policies & Procedures are based on applicable US regulations, industry standards and Best Practices, all researched by experienced personnel, technical writers, and process experts. This can save companies and executives valuable time researching the same material themselves.Increase Procedure Writing ConfidenceInstructional content, how to books, training, consulting and live support can help to ensure companies they have the information they need to develop usable policies & procedures right the first time.Simplify the Integration of ProcessesA wide range of manuals for the entire company all from a single source save time integrating the procedures needed.Speed Policy DevelopmentStandard usability formats, process design methodology and numerous examples for every department reduces employee confusion and improves usability speeding up policy development by less experienced personnel.Ease Document Editing TasksCommon MS-Word features provide faster editing, easier changes and simpler document updates to such things as the table of contents compared to RTF, PDF or hardcopy fsible to maintain for a large organization.

One method for determining whether or not an incoming message is spam is by testing the sending server for full compliance with RFC 2821 and correct DNS setups. RFC 2821 is the specification used to describe how messages are to be sent between SMTP mail servers, and the correct DNS setups have to occur with the cooperation of the ISP who owns the IP address assigned to the mail server. This method of testing for compliance with the RFC’s and collaboration with the sender’s ISP allows the receiving server to block the incoming connection once it has determined that the sending server is probably not a mainstream server. This system works because, traditionally, many spammers have built very basic bulk emailing engines, and many of these engines are so poorly constructed that they are barely capable of sending mail at all. The downside to this method is that there is a high likelihood of a false positive when interacting with some open source or low-cost email servers.

Freeware code or low cost systems are commonly used by small organizations for budgetary reasons. Another issue with this method is that many spammers send their mail through valid mail servers that have been inadvertently left available to act as relays (mail forwarders), and the relay servers will pass all of these initial configuration tests. Indoor LED Displays
To promote the audience, staff, customers and other people the Indoor LED displays are most widely used. By incorporating the latest technology Indoor LED displays provide exceptional service for a great value.Indoor LED displays broadcasts current information within the industry, site or relevant indoor area. These are simple to use, gives quick display and have long durability and high reliability, that’s why most industries are using these indoor LED displays for their daily administration, and broadcasting circulars such as events, schedules, financial info, show listing, etc.While broadcasting, the threat of third-party interference can create serious concern, these Indoor LED displays takes precautions for this. For this information are transmitted through coded transmitter.These indoor LED displays are simple to use and install. Having features like long durability and high reliability, they are accepted all over the world. Most important thing here to notice is that they seek low energy and maintenance cost with sleek and compact design. They are ideal for text messaging.These are based on a modular construction, which allows for a variety of sizes, line and characters with different color options. They can be mounted easily as the accessories can easily be obtained.Indoor LED Displays are provided by Jayex Technology Limited, who bring into being display components from proven international technology. Combined this with years of experience and long standing track record for supplying LED displays, they prove a high quality yet very competitive display.Indoor LED displays are connected to local power supply to operate on this. Fiber optic networks are also used to operate on this and can send the information to your electronic displays. However, many other remote an local opti because, traditionally, many spammers have built very basic bulk emailing engines, and many of these engines are so poorly constructed that they are barely capable of sending mail at all. The downside to this method is that there is a high likelihood of a false positive when interacting with some open source or low-cost email servers.

Freeware code or low cost systems are commonly used by small organizations for budgetary reasons. Another issue with this method is that many spammers send their mail through valid mail servers that have been inadvertently left available to act as relays (mail forwarders), and the relay servers will pass all of these initial configuration tests.

Another common manner of avoiding mail classified as spam is to identify the sending server as it attempts to send mail by using a third party mechanism called a Blacklist server. These servers, such as the Open Relay DataBase or SpamCop, offer a free service by holding databases of identified addresses of numerous spammers and open relays. When a mail server attempts to send mail, a simple query of one or more of these services is typically sufficient to reduce the volume of spam by 25%. However, these services are not perfect and can result in false positives or negatives due to either overly aggressive databases or latency in reporting. For instance, one of the most reliable databases of server addresses, ORDB.org, only tests to see if the server is misconfigured as an open relay. If a spammer sends mail from a properly configured server or from one that has not yet been reported, then the mail will pass this test. In addition, many companies have had difficulty getting their valid servers out of these databases, which causes an issue with irresolvable false positives.

A third way for determining spam is through the use of content filtering. This method involves the filtering of mail by matching it against a list of words or phrases. This list of words and phrases is maintained on the server either by the local system administrator or through a subscription service. Although this method was popular several years ago, spammers have become adept in avoiding these filtering engines by masking their content with misspellings. In order to keep the list accurate and up to date, the system administrator or keyword service must continually increase the size of the list. This particular method tends to be fraught with false positives and false negatives. For example, one mail user might actually be using Viagra that would result in a false positive, and V1agr@ is still Viagra that would result in a false negative. This filtering method is considered by most as ineffective at filtering out anything but the most offensive email.

A final method of filtering spam is Bayesian filtering which is a very successful variation of keyword filtering. This method differs from traditional filters as it utilizes a statistical method for filtering messages based on the content of the message and the end user trains the system by providing feedback on what is and is not spam. Based on this feedback the filter builds an index of all of the words and phrases, including misspellings, which tend to occur in messages indicated as spam. The main reason this system operates better than conventional keyword filtering is that it is able to filter a message that misspells the primary keyword phrases or words. Essentially, if the spammer misspells

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