Spam Solutions - Spam Arrest

How it works

When you sign up to SpamArrest, all of your incoming emails are then diverted through their server. Spam Arrest works on the basis that you pre-define who is allowed to send you mail. You can authorize specific email addresses, domains, and mailing lists, either manually or using our import tools. All of your non-spam email is placed into your Spam Arrest inbox, which you can access using POP3 or IMAP from your email program (such as Outlook or Eudora) or from any web browser using our powerful webmail system.

Spam Arrest uses Challenge/Response technology to keep the spam out. Emails from unknown senders will receive an auto-reply message asking them to verify themselves. When the sender clicks the link in the email, they are taken to a webpage where they are "challenged" to type in a word that is hidden within a graphic or a sound file (for visually-impaired users). When the sender successfully completes the "response", their email is forwarded to your inbox, and they are then added to your authorized sender list. The challenge/response process is easy for people, but impossible for automated systems (i.e. spambots), to complete.

Emails from unauthorized senders are held in your "unverified" folder for seven days. You can access these emails at any time by logging into the the Spam Arrest website, and can manually approve any senders from whom you wish to receive email.

Pros

You know your mailbox is completely protected from incoming spam as only pre-defined senders can email you.

Cons

The system does not work so well if part of your business means you receive a lot of emails from unknown people. You can always check through your unverified emails on the spamarrest server but this is time consuming. They can obviously follow the verification process and then be accepted into your contacts.

Another con of this system is that it doesn't allow for viruses that may be attached to an email that has been automatically sent out from someone you know's email address. All this really means is that you do still need some form of anti-spam/virus protection as well as running spam arrest.

How to sign up

Spam Arrest offer a free 30 day trial to see what you think of the system. After that the cost varies depending on how many months you sign up for:

1 month $5.95 - approx. £3.02

6 months $24.95 (30% discount) - approx £12.67

1 year $44.95 (37% discount) - approx £22.83

2 years $74.95 (47% discount) - approx £38.06

Click here for the SpamArrest website