For All IT Folks: Email Security Using Linux! (Helpful Vanity)

http://www.freespamfilter.org/FC4.html ^ | I Dunno | RoNNY Nussbaum

[KoRn]

This is a How-To I found online using Linux and open source software to create an email gateway/firewall for SPAM/bad email. At work we had been having a terrible time fighting spam, after numerous complaints by users, and the viewing of demos for expensive anti spam solutions I turned to the world of open source. I work for a non-profit orginization that doesn't have the financial resources to spend thousands of dollars on email filtering technologies, so I did some looking around and found this.

I followed this manual and in just three days it has blocked 17,620 spam emails and over 500 viri, and it didn't cost a thing. The spam has been reduced so much users have called to see if there was something wrong with our emeail system. If you are in IT and find yourself in a similar situation, I highly recommend this!

[KoRn]

Ping.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

You should consider installing CentOS instead of Fedora Core*.

CentOS is basically Redhat Enterprise without the pricetag. You get all the updates and none of the 'EOL' issues that you get with FC*.

http://www.centos.org

I run it on all of our company servers and started at home about a year ago with it.

I realize this is a bit off-topic, but your how-to should be the same for CentOS as well.

[KoRn]

"emeail system"

We also have an email system :p

[KoRn]

Haven't heard of that. I'll check it out.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

It's really nice to not have to screw around with legacy upgrades for old EOL Fedora machines. It depends on what you do, but if you install CentOS 3 instead, you're not going to have to worry about upgrades stopping for your OS in 6 months. To me, that's a huge deal...it just depends on the the user. RH seems to have made Fedora their testing grounds and they're using all of us for beta tests. If you use CentOS, you're using the finished product without paying for it...that's just plain sweeter than yoo hoo. :D

[KoRn]

"If you use CentOS, you're using the finished product without paying for it...that's just plain sweeter than yoo hoo. :D"

Certainly worth checking out! Thanks for the heads up!

[SunkenCiv]

Perhaps of interest (not for pinging, just reading)?

[Echo Talon]

The spam has been reduced so much users have called to see if there was something wrong with our emeail system.

as long as its not blocking legit mail I guess its ok.

[KoRn]

" as long as its not blocking legit mail I guess its ok."

Not one single false positive, so far.... I have everything flowing into an exchange mailbox called 'spam' just in case I need to go in and forward anything out to someone.

[Echo Talon]

good deal.

[snowsislander]

You might also be interested in Mailscanner.

[ShadowAce]

[KoRn]

"You might also be interested in Mailscanner."

I looked into that before, and just couldn't get it working well. Was probably just me.

[antiRepublicrat]

You should consider installing CentOS instead of Fedora Core*.

Watch out, CentOS might take over your servers, and you'll get raving complaints and threats from some lunatic in Oklahoma.

[zeugma]

"If you use CentOS, you're using the finished product without paying for it...that's just plain sweeter than yoo hoo. :D"

Certainly worth checking out! Thanks for the heads up!

You also don't get the support. In a corporate environment, that can be penny-wise, and pound foolish. For older, stable systems that might not be a big deal.

I'd definitely recommend it be used in dev/test environments, but I'm not as sure that I'd put my neck on the line for it with revenue generating boxes.

[ShadowAce]

Watch out, CentOS might take over your servers, and you'll get raving complaints and threats from some lunatic in Oklahoma.

LOL! That was funny.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

I guess, if you need the support. In the 7 years or so that I've been dealing with RH, I've never needed anyone's support. My team IS the support. :)

[N3WBI3]

I head that, get your forum off my browser...

[N3WBI3]

Zeg,

actually for dev and test I use redhats developer entitlements You get rhn but no phone or email support. And at 300$ for 5 entitlements to *any* version (2.1,3,4) of any RHEL OS (AS, ES, WS) you cant really go wrong.

Then in PROD I pony up for the premium support because (1) it makes the PHB's happy, (2) Its actually pretty good support the few times I have had to use it, and (3) its still cheaper than windows (and exchange, sql server, iis, ...) with the same level of support