Junk Mail Filters

[Bob Lucas]

I am posting this enquiry to the
"microsoft.public.windows.live.mail.desktop" newsgroup, because the
server at msnews.microsoft.com does not seem to host a specific
newsgroup for Windows Live Hotmail (i.e. Hotmail via the webmail
interface).

I use Windows Live Mail (Version 2008 - build 12.0.1606) to access my
Hotmail account via the HTTP server at
http://mail.services.live.com/DeltaSync_v2.0.0/sync.aspx.

I receive unacceptable volumes of junk mail, most of which relates to
Viagra and other pharmaceuticals. I am very surprised, and disappointed
that the filters at Hotmail allow such obvious junk mail to enter my
inbox.

The most recent message included the following headers:

X-SID-PRA: rkfg.VIAGRA ® Official Site.kca <***@hotmail.com>
X-SID-Result: SoftFail
From:rkfg.VIAGRA ® Official Site.kca <***@hotmail.com>
Subject:RE: Message - ***@hotmail.com
To: <***@hotmail.com>
X-Priority: 3
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Return-Path: ***@hotmail.com

I know that the filter options within Windows Live Mail do not work with
HTTP accounts.

Although Windows Live Hotmail does allow a subscriber to block emails
from specified email addresses - the options are rather limited. The
options on the webmail interface provide no protection whatsoever, if
the sender has used a forged email address (or a different address for
each message). The propagator always forges the senders' address (and
usually quotes my own hotmail address).

Typical messages include "Viagra", "Cilais", "medication" or similar
words in the "From" line, in the "Subject" line, or in the message
content. Is there any way of preventing this type of email from
reaching my inbox?

[N. Miller]

Post by Bob Lucas
I am posting this enquiry to the
"microsoft.public.windows.live.mail.desktop" newsgroup, because the
server at msnews.microsoft.com does not seem to host a specific
newsgroup for Windows Live Hotmail (i.e. Hotmail via the webmail
interface).
I use Windows Live Mail (Version 2008 - build 12.0.1606) to access my
Hotmail account via the HTTP server at
http://mail.services.live.com/DeltaSync_v2.0.0/sync.aspx.
I receive unacceptable volumes of junk mail, most of which relates to
Viagra and other pharmaceuticals. I am very surprised, and disappointed
that the filters at Hotmail allow such obvious junk mail to enter my
inbox.
X-SID-Result: SoftFail
X-Priority: 3
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
I know that the filter options within Windows Live Mail do not work with
HTTP accounts.
Although Windows Live Hotmail does allow a subscriber to block emails
from specified email addresses - the options are rather limited. The
options on the webmail interface provide no protection whatsoever, if
the sender has used a forged email address (or a different address for
each message). The propagator always forges the senders' address (and
usually quotes my own hotmail address).
Typical messages include "Viagra", "Cilais", "medication" or similar
words in the "From" line, in the "Subject" line, or in the message
content. Is there any way of preventing this type of email from
reaching my inbox?

For starters, I am pretty sure that Windows Live Hotmail does not allow you
to filter your own 'hotmail.com' email address when it is used as the
sender. Sending "From:" you "To:" you is a common spammer trick to avoid
filters, because many users do whitelist their own email address when
creating filters.

Within the web view of Hotmail are three levels of spam filtering:

(1) Low - Obvious junk e-mail is sent to the junk e-mail folder.
(2) Standard - Most junk e-mail is sent to the junk e-mail folder.
(3) Exclusive - Everything is sent to the junk e-mail folder except messages
from your contacts, and safe senders, Windows Live Hotmail announcements,
and alerts that you signed up for.

You might want to set your account to "Standard". It has been so long since
I mucked around these settings that I don't recall which is default.