Volume 5 Issue 5

December, 1999

New Anti-Spam Measures

We have developed a new strategy against spam attacks, based on the findings from our recent Spam Survey (see article below).
This new strategy will focus on refusing all email that does not come from a legitimate Internet SMTP server.
These measures will have no effect on legitimate email addressed to our subscribers.
While these measures will reduce the amount of spam that infiltrates our network, it will not eliminate it completely. We will later assess the effectiveness of these new measures and implement additional filters if they are deemed necessary.
Implementing these new measures will involve several upgrades to our mail server. As email is one of our most important services, we will first test these upgrades on a "non-production" server this month.
We will then install the upgrades on the mail server after the holidays, to avoid any disruption of holiday email service.

Spam Survey Results

We received close to 120 responses to our Spam Survey, which represents about 15-20% of our subscriber base.
One-third of the respondents replied that they have not received any spam. Only six received spam not addressed to them. Only 16 received over 5 spam messages per week and most of those subscribed to mailing lists, and/or automailers, had given out their email address, and registered domains. Over half wanted to receive all email addressed to them 17 wanted all email,9 were willing to lose some email for less spam, and 5 were willing to lose even more email for no spam. One-third commented that we were doing a great job-thanks!
As most spam is addressed to the subscriber, it must mean that those email addresses are on spammers' mailing lists. Email, like any junk mail, is sent through these lists. Legitimate mailing lists, websites, automailers and even the InterNIC have been used as sources for email addresses. Please exercise caution when giving out your email address.
As a quick fix, we will gladly change your email address if you are bothered by the amount of spam you receive.

Help Desk Notes

It has been a very quiet month for the help desk.
The majority of calls come from subscribers who have either lost their dialup settings or have had their dialup settings somehow modified.
Please remember, you cannot login using your real name! Some people have tried to login for days, even weeks, with their real name.
Don't wait! Please call us immediately, so we can promptly correct your settings.

Other Updates

Bell Atlantic has pushed back our new digital lines in Salem - twice already this past month.
We anticipate installation of these new lines sometime this month...hopefully. :)
Again, we underestimated the amount of time required to complete Gate-Wave.net.
At our current rate of 20+ pages per day, the site should be completed in a few weeks.
We truly believe it will be worth the wait!

Subscriber Referral Program

Are you pleased with our service? Do you know someone who is unhappy with their current Internet/On-line service?
Why not do them and yourself a favor?
Just recommend our service. If they subscribe, we'll give you a free month of access!
They will appreciate your advice and you'll save a little money.
Again this month, over a dozen subscribers are getting their access in December for free - by referring new subscribers.

Everybody wins!

Internet Training

We suggest you contact one of the following for courses on basic computer and Internet use.

Salem State College: 978-542-6331
North Shore Community College: 978-762-4000
CyberSurf Café: 978-281-6971

What's New at the Cove is a monthly publication of Cove Communications.

Publisher/Editor, Bill Ostaski

27 Congress Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 741-5300
(978) 282-3399
office@cove.com

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