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Anti-Spam Program Choices

Subscriber and long-time reader Scott Adler wrote to me about his experiences with three of the various anti-spam programs. I've used Mailwasher Pro and PopFile and like both, but they are entirely different in their approach to spam. My current choice is PopFile.

I've also mentioned iHateSpam, which is from the same company that offers my choice in anti-spyware and firewall programs; however, I don't use iHateSpam because I don't use Outlook Express or Outlook as my email program (I use Eudora).

The three anti-spam programs you speak about have quite different impact on ones PC.. I've been using I Hate Spam but it's use brings a slowdown to the reaction of the computer. As the files of friends and enemies build up the computer runs slower and slower until it almost freezes up. That's what happened to me and it took three days of agonizing trouble shooting before I recognized where the problem lay. I,in desperation opened the task manager but instead of looking at applications I looked at Processes and there I saw how much of the CPU was being used by the I hate Spam program. I uninstalled the software and every thing returned to normal. I may return to use IHS again but if I do I shall be very circumspect as to how many enemy and how many friends I list.

I intend to first try out Mail Washer Pro and the PopFile to see what performance they can offer. Once IHS ran for a week or so It's prevention of receipt of spam was nearly perfect.

I'll let you know my reaction to these two other spam prevention software's.

I wrote back to Scott that I find that I like PopFile the best of the anti-spam programs I've used. I have a friend who swore off McAfee's anti-spam program because it made Outlook take so long to start up as it loaded all of its rules.

I hate to hear that iHateSpam required a lot of his cpu power — that seems to be a more and more frequent comment on the big multi-purpose packages, but the individual programs usually require much less computer power.

I also asked about his PC, since more and more of today's programs are expecting faster processors and at least 1 gigabyte of RAM.

My PC is more than 3 yrs old but I have upgraded it to 1 GB Ram and a 500 Gig external hard drive. The more I use Mail Washer the better I like it. This system allows one to read first few lines of incoming e-mails while they reside on your IPS's server. This offers total control of anything you do not wish to receive. The system learns in use so it becomes more efficient with each day's use. The time penalty one must accept with this system is auditing the Window Washer. After reviewing the window washer screen you designate what is spam and what is good and then click and your e-mail program opens up with only the Good mails appearing.

Products:

• MailWasher Pro full-function 30-day trial
• iHateSpam full-function 30-day trial
• PopFile free

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