Questions
Usage:- What do I need to do be able to do on my systems?
- How long will it take for the system to be ready to queue mail for us?
- Which DNS blacklists (DNSBL) are you using?
- Do I have to have incoming mail tested using DNS realtime blacklists?
- How long does it take to switch blacklists on/off for a domain?
- Do you do Bayesian filtering based on content?
- How else is incoming mail filtered here?
If your question isn't answered here, perhaps it will be covered in our other pre-sale documentation.
Answers
Usage
Q. What do I need to do be able to do on my systems?
You will need to be able to configure the following:
- The DNS zone file for your domain.
- The email server settings for your domain, on each machine.
- Your settings with us, by logging into your account.
More detailed setup and trouble-shooting documentation is available from your account.
Q. How long will it take for the system to be ready to queue mail for us
It's a fully automated process which will have completed an average of 15 minutes, but no more than 30 minutes, after you have added the domain to our system.
Anti-Spam Filtering
Q. Which DNS blacklists (DNSBL) are you using?
We're currently using:
cn-kr.blackholes.us, taiwan.blackholes.us, russia.blackholes.us, nigeria.blackholes.us, thailand.blackholes.us, bl.spamcop.net, l2.spews.dnsbl.sorbs.net.
These black lists have a good approach of being aggressive on spamhosts and open relays without resorting to blacklisting entire subnets (with the exception of some regions known for high spam rates). They have an approach which cuts spam while not producing too much in the way of collateral damage.
Q. Do I have to have incoming mail tested using DNS realtime blacklists?
You may switch off anti-spam blacklist checks on a per-domain basis. That is, if you don't want your MX hosted domain foobar.com's incoming mail to be tested so as to allow mail from spamhost.com, you can remove foobar.com from having its incoming connections filtered.
This option is generally requested by those worried about an occasional missed genuine email from a provider who has been blacklisted.
Q. How long does it take to switch blacklists on/off for a domain?
A batch job runs every two hours.
Q. Do you do Bayesian filtering based on content?
No, the risk of false positives is a bit high. This is really best handled at your primary mail server or on your email client program.
Q. How else is incoming mail filtered here?
Connecting servers must identify themselves, must not pretend to be us, stated sender domains must be real ones, mail must not contain dangerous attachment types, etc. For more information, see our Email Standards document.
Misc
Q. Can I POP/IMAP my email from you?
No. POP/IMAP depend on email being delivered to an account. An MX service simply queues email on our servers for eventual delivery to yours.
Q. Can I have my email forwarded to another email address?
No. This would require us to be responsible for the destination server for your domain.