Policy Patrol 2.1 boasts unique spam filtering features

Red Earth Software releases Policy Patrol version 2.1

Carson City, NV - February 3, 2003 - Red Earth Software, developer of spam filtering software, today announced the release of Policy Patrol version 2.1. In addition to faster email processing and an improved compression engine, version 2.1 boasts some unique spam filtering features based on message format and the presence of illegal HTML.

By analyzing hundreds of spam messages, Red Earth Software has been able to identify two new spam characteristics that are not usually checked for by existing spam filters. Red Earth Software's spam survey concluded that contrary to normal practice, the majority of spammers send their messages in HTML format without a plain text body part. This is done to save on size but also to force the recipient to view the HTML version of the message. The HTML code often contains an image link that connects to a website when the message is opened. In this way, spammers know exactly how many people have viewed their message and by using unique IDs they are able to register which email addresses are still 'live'. These types of spam messages are particularly dangerous since by merely opening the message, the recipient will entice the spammer to send even more unwanted messages.

Red Earth Software further identified the use of illegal HTML (text that is included outside the HTML tags) as a common spam characteristic. Spammers use illegal HTML to include unique IDs that are not visible in the message text. Since there is no legitimate reason for including text outside HTML tags, it is good to block messages with this characteristic.

Policy Patrol 2.1
Policy Patrol 2.1 now includes the functionality to filter out messages with illegal HTML and HTML messages that do not contain a plain text body part. False positives are avoided by configuring white lists of legitimate newsletters. 'These spam features are just some of the new spam filtering techniques that we are working on', says Mike Spykerman, CEO of Red Earth Software. 'Through our continuous research we are able to quickly identify new spamming trends and adapt Policy Patrol's spam fighting features accordingly. To help combat spam, Red Earth Software also publishes an article discussing commonly found spam characteristics at: http://www.policypatrol.com/Spam-filter-article.htm.'

Spam filter for Exchange 2000/5.5 and Lotus Domino
Policy Patrol works with Microsoft Exchange server 2000/5.5, Lotus Domino/Notes and any other SMTP mail server. The product is available in two versions: Policy Patrol Disclaimers (disclaimer functionality) and Policy Patrol Enterprise (all features). A free 30-day evaluation version is available for download from http://www.policypatrol.com/downloadfrm.htm.

Red Earth Software is a Microsoft Certified Partner and develops email policy enforcement software based on Microsoft technology. The company's mission is to create technically innovative products that allow companies to take advantage of the opportunities that email and the Internet bring. Red Earth Software customers include Nissan, Targus, Canadian Pacific Railway, USA.net, Lotto, and Daewoo.

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For more information about this press release, please send an email to Deborah Galea at press@redearthsoftware.com or visit http://www.redearthsoftware.com.

Policy Patrol® is a registered trademark of Red Earth Software(TM). Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.