Take
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With SpamMonster 2.0!
SpamMonster™ Anti Spam Filter, Version 2.0 (Release 1.85.048)
Quick Start Guide
September 11, 2006
INTRODUCTION
This is an early release of SpamMonster 2.0 Anti Spam Filter. This version of SpamMonster available for half of the price of the final release, and this version will upgrade to interim and final versions free of charge. This pre-release version of SpamMonster is an outstanding anti-spam filter at a really great price.
OVERVIEW
SpamMonster™ Anti Spam Filter Version 2.0 is a powerful yet simple and easy to use. It can be setup and used effectively in just five minutes, and is also highly customizable.
SpamMonster uses five lists to filter your email. Friends, Good Subjects, Bad Subjects, Undesirable Senders, and Auto Senders.
The only list that must be populated in order for SpamMonster to work is your friends list, and this is done automatically during setup using the default address book on your computer. SpamMonster also has a remote commands feature that let’s you add a sender’s email address to your friends list or run programs on your computer remotely, just by sending yourself an email with the command in the subject line. And the SpamMonster update feature lets you instantly check for and install updates as we keep improving.
© Copyright 2002-2006. Jean Gagnon, LLC and CoolSoft, LLC
SpamMonster™ is a trademark of Jean Gagnon, LLC. SpamMonster is distributed and licensed by CoolSoft, LLC under license from Jean Gagnon, LLC, and is the exclusive property of Jean Gagnon, LLC.
Table of Contents
SpamMonster™ 2.0 User Manual (Release 1.85.048)
Using SpamMonster™ 2.0 in Trial Mode
SpamMonster™ 2.0 Trial Startup Dialog
Starting SpamMonster™ 2.0 for the First Time
SpamMonster™ 2.0 Overview of Basic Terminology and Functionality
The SpamMonster™ 2.0 Interface
Minimizing SpamMonster – a/k/a Where did SpamMonster Go?
Using SpamMonster on Another Computer
Running More Than One Copy of SpamMonster on a Single Computer
SpamMonster™ 1.0 Tips – Pointers on what to do, and what not to do:
CoolSoft, LLC Technical Support Policy
KNOWN ISSUES FOR SPAMMONSTER ™ 2.0, RELEASE 1.85.048
GETTING STARTED
System Requirements
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Operating System: |
Windows 2000 or Windows XP (Home or Professional) with all the latest updates. |
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Memory: |
At least 265 MB RAM, 500 MB or better preferred. |
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System Processor: |
A PC with a 500mhz or greater Pentium III, Pentium IV or Pentium compatible processor. |
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Disk Space: |
200 MB free disk space |
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Email Account: |
You must have a POP3 Email Account |
Installing SpamMonster™ 2.0
After downloading SpamMonster™ 2.0 double click on the installation file SpamMonster2_0Install.exe, and follow the instructions. If you have the CD, from the main screen, click on “Install” and follow the instructions. The trial and full install of SpamMonster are the same. You can upgrade to the full version by purchasing a license and registration key. After thirty (30) days, SpamMonster will not start until it is registered.
Starting SpamMonster™ 2.0
To start SpamMonster™ 2.0, either click the SpamMonster™ 2.0 icon on your desktop or use the program menu (StartŕProgramsŕSpamMonster™ 2.0).
Using SpamMonster™ 2.0 in Trial Mode
If you are using an unregistered copy as a trial, the SpamMonster™ 2.0 startup dialog box (see below) will appear when you start the program. In trial mode, SpamMonsterÔ 2.0 will also display three banner ads: one in the startup dialog box, a second when the program is launching and a third in the program window. Trial mode limitations are:
· Banner ads are displayed.
· The update feature is not available.
· The user cannot customize the challenge message sent by SpamMonster.
SpamMonster™ 2.0 Trial Startup Dialog
This dialog box displays only if you are using an unregistered copy of SpamMonster in trial mode. It tells you how many days you have left in your trial period and gives you four choices:
Starting SpamMonster™ 2.0 for the First Time
SpamMonster Setup Wizard
The first time SpamMonster™ 2.0 starts, the setup wizard will appear to guide you through the initial setup. You will need the user information from your email account, and you should have this ready before you continue. We also recommend that you be connected to the Internet when you are setting up SpamMonster so it can verify that the information you enter is correct. Note: You cannot start using SpamMonster until you successfully complete this wizard.
USING SPAMMONSTER™ 2.0
SpamMonster™ 2.0 Overview of Basic Terminology and Functionality
Before using SpamMonster™ 2.0, you should become familiar with some terminology used by the program.
POP3 Mail Server
This is the server where your email program gets its email.
SMTP Server
This is the server through which your email program sends email.
Friends List
Email from these senders is left on the mail server. The first time you use SpamMonster, it imports the contact list in your default email program.
Good Subjects List
Emails containing good subjects are left on the mail server if they are not from an undesirable sender.
Bad Subjects List
Email containing bad subjects are removed from the mail server.
Undesirables Senders List
Email from these senders is removed from the mail server.
Auto Senders List
Email from these senders are removed from the server if they are from SpamMonster.
Email Status
SpamMonster sets the status of an email depending on what action SpamMonster takes.
· On Server: This status means an email is left on the server.
· Quarantine: All emails from unknown senders are saved in Quarantine before being removed from the server and challenged.
· Deleted: Emails from senders in the “Undesirables List” “Bad Subjects List” and “Auto Senders List” are not challenged, however, these emails are also saved in the quarantine folder before being deleted from the mail server.
· Delivered: When you check email, the status of Emails that were left on the mail server is changed from “On Server” to “Delivered.”
Filtering Order of Lists
SpamMonster filters with the lists in the following order of priority. Undesirable Senders, Bad Subjects, Friends, Good Subjects and Auto Senders. Note that the lists are not case sensitive, so “john” and “John” have the same effect.
Remote Commands
NOTE: Remote commands is not fully functional in Version 1.85.048. This issue will be fixed in release 1.90 which is expected to be released in October 2006. When that is released, this version of SpamMonster will update to Version 1.90. If you are using a registered copy of SpamMonster, use the update feature periodically to check for updates.
The SpamMonster remote commands feature lets you send commands to SpamMonster and to your computer’s command line by sending yourself an email with the command in the subject line. To use remote commands, you must first enable it and enter a password in the Preferences tab of Settings.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you receive an email with a remote command in the subject line that you did not send, it your remote commands password has been compromised, and you must change your remote password immediately.
IMPORTANT NOTE: SpamMonster Remote Commands is a great feature that lets you add contacts to your friends list and send command line arguments to windows so you can run programs like smart house software from any computer or PDA from which you can send an email. However, there is also a risk that if a spammer or other unauthorized individual gains access to your remote commands password, that they could use it to add themselves to your friends list, or send malicious command line arguments that could harm your computer. It is up to you to assess the benefits and risks of using Remote Commands before you enable this feature.
To send a Remote Command that will be processed by SpamMonster, send yourself an email with the following command syntax in the subject line. Make sure the subject line does not contain any other text.
SpamMonster Remote Commands Syntax:
[sm:Remote Commands Password:Command:Object Of Command]
Here are some examples of remote commands:
Add an email address to the SpamMonster friends list:
[sm:1234:addfriend:Simon@CoolSoftLLC.com] – Adds Simon’s email address to the SpamMonster Friends list. This command is particularly useful if you don’t want to wait until you get back to your computer to add a new contact you just met to your friends list.
Run Programs from the Command Line:
[sm:1234:run:notepad.exe] – Starts Notepad on your computer
[sm:1234:run:ahcmd sendplc a1 on] – Turns on module A1 in X10 Active Home Pro
The SpamMonster™ 2.0 Interface
This is what you’ll see when SpamMonster™ 2.0 opens. Note that the banner will disappear when you register SpamMonster.
SpamMonster™ 2.0 Menu
The SpamMonster™ 2.0 menu is very simple.
File Menu
Clear History of Deleted Emails
Exit
Tools Menu
Settings – Settings can also be opened with the Settings Button
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Scan & Filter Now (F5) - This can also be done with the Scan & Filter Button
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Sort by Sender
Sort by Subject
Sort by Status
Sort by Account
Sort by Time Received
Sort by Details
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Find Email – Also “CTRL F” Keys.
Help Menu (Version 1.85.048)
Contents (not functional in this release)
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About – Opens the About Dialog, where you can check for updates.
Right Click Menu
When you are viewing messages in SpamMonster, you can right click on a message and the right click menu will appear. The content of the right click menu depends on the message Status and server view.
Message Properties
When you right click on a message and select properties, the message properties dialog box appears. The fields are self-explanatory, with the exception of “Checksum:” which is of relevance only to SpamMonster.
SpamMonster™ 2.0 Settings
The SpamMonster settings dialog has four tabs as shown below.
General Tab
Mail Accounts Tab
SMTP Server Tab
Lists Tab
There are five sub-tabs in the Lists Tab
Undesirable Senders List
Good Subjects List
Bad Subjects List
Auto Senders List
Preferences Tab
Minimizing SpamMonster – a/k/a Where did SpamMonster Go?
When you minimize SpamMonster, it disappears into the taskbar in the lower right hand corner of your desktop, with the other taskbar icons to the left of the clock. But don’t worry, even when minimized, SpamMonster is there doing its job. When SpamMonster is Scanning & Filtering, you can see it devouring your spam.
When SpamMonster is minimized and you right click on the SpamMonster icon in the lower right of the taskbar, you have four choices:
About SpamMonster
Help
Settings
Exit
Advanced
Uninstalling SpamMonster
To uninstall SpamMonster, you must go to the Add and Remove Programs dialog in the Windows Control Panel.
Using SpamMonster on Another Computer
Your SpamMonster settings (SpamMonster.ini) and lists can be copied to and used with another installation of SpamMonster on another computer. Just copy the SpamMonster.ini and all files with the extension of .lst to the folder where SpamMonster is installed on the other computer.
Running More Than One Copy of SpamMonster on a Single Computer
This is only for advanced users, and will only work if the two copies of SpamMonster are filtering different accounts. For more information on how to do this, see the corresponding section in the User Manual for details.
SpamMonster™ 1.0 Tips – Pointers on what to do, and what not to do:
Do review the Quarantine and Deleted lists every few days to make sure you haven’t missed an important email.
Do be careful with entries in the Undesirables and Bad Subjects lists. With your undesirables list, it is always best to use full email address.
Don’t use full domains in the Undesirables List unless you are certain you want to block emails from all senders at that domain. Using a partial email address like “aol.com” will block any email sent from this domain.