How BTInet reduces spam

Spam is unsolicited e-mail, similar to "junk mail" or telemarketing calls. Usually it comes from companies that pulled e-mail addresses from somewhere on the Internet, such as newsgroups. Other times, people "sign up" for spam without realizing it by agreeing to receive what's called "opt-in e-mail." For example, you may have registered with a site and checked a box to receive information about particular products or interests. That effectively gave the company permission to share your e-mail with others. However spam makes it to your e-mail, it is not good netiquette.

• More information on How Spam Works and Its Effects
• Read more about Spam in our BTInet FAQ - Netscape Mail or Outlook Express

Block IP Addresses of Spammers:

BTInet uses a serviced called Spamhaus to help block Spammers. Their databases provide BTInet with a list of IP addresses of open SMTP relays, verified spammers, spam gangs and spam services.

If an e-mail message is sent to one of our subscribers from a server listed in one of these databases, the message will be refused and returned to the original sender.

On rare occasions, this process could affect a legitimate e-mail message. However, it is relatively easy to verify if Spamhaus is blocking an e-mail message you are expecting and get removed from their database.

How to check the Spamhaus block list

BTInet's Online Spam Filter for Your E-mail:

To detect and reduce spam, BTInet has added a message-ranking tool to our mail server. For more information, or to customize this Spam Filter for your e-mail, go to the BTInet Spam Filter.

Please send questions or comments to help@btinet.net.