What WVU does to Minimize Spam
West Virginia University employs sophisticated systems to examine incoming mail messages and separate valid messages from ones that are likely spam. Using state of the art industry software and continuously expanding our knowledge of tactics employed by spammers, the volume of junk messages is continually minimized.
In the effort to optimize our detection systems, close-knit relationships are in place with our expert vendors and regular updates are made to our systems to thwart evolving tactics used by spammers. Statistics in 2006 showed that 92% of the mail volume addressed to WVU systems, which was effectively filtered, was spam.
The WVU Systems group is implementing additional layers of spam detection and prevention. Presently, a technology is in place that quarantines messages with a high likelihood of being spam. WVU GroupWise users will receive periodic messages from “PureMessage Admin“ that display any quarantined messages for that particular user.
Faculty members should be aware that, while the probability is low, it is possible for legitimate messages originating from MIX accounts to be quarantined if the computer the student composed the message on shows signs of having been compromised. For this reason, it is always important to look at the contents of the PureMessage Admin messages despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of the time the contents may be entirely comprised of spam.
To help prevent student systems from becoming compromised, WVU provides premium anti-virus software to its current students free of charge. Students can easily download a licensed copy of Symantec AntiVirus software from the OIT Technology Support Center's website.
Students should also review best practices for keeping computers and related resources secure.
For more information about spam:
- What is spam?
- What you can do to minimize spam
- OIT Anti-Spam Policy
- See the WVU e-mail processing statistics
Updated May 29, 2008