ALTOSPAM and mail servers

Based on the standard SMTP protocol (TCP/25) defined by RFC 2821, ALTOSPAM is compatible with all makes, models and versions of your mail server. As the service is configured upstream of your mail server, ALTOSPAM does not require any modification of existing architecture or server configuration.

Nor is it necessary to download or install anti-spam software on user workstations. ALTOSPAM integrates directly into your existing IT environment, whatever your infrastructure. All you need to do is modify the MX field in the DNS of your domain names, and all your emails will be sent to ALTOSPAM anti-spam servers. Your users’ emails are then analyzed and filtered by anti-spam and anti-virus software, and forwarded to your corporate mail servers.

Note: ALTOSPAM can be configured to forward to one or more mail servers, with high availability or load balancing.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of ALTOSPAM-compatible mail servers:

– Microsoft Exchange 5.5
– Microsoft Exchange 2000
– Microsoft Exchange 2003
– Microsoft Exchange 2007
– Microsoft Exchange 2010
– Micosoft Small Business Server (SBS)
– Kerio Mail Server 5
– Lotus Domino R5
– Lotus Domino R6
– Lotus Domino R6.5
– Lotus Domino R7
– Sendmail
– Qmail
– Postfix
– Exim
– Novell Groupwise
– Apple Mail Server
– Mdaemon
– Sun Java Communications Suite
– IceWarp
– Calexium MailFountain
– iPlanet Mail Server
– IPswotch IMail Server
– hMailServer
– MailEnable

However, some versions of mail servers should be avoided, as they do not optimize recipient analysis. Although they may work perfectly well, it’s best to avoid using : Microsoft Exchange 5.5, 2000 and unpatched qMail.

Note: the version of qMail delivered with Plesk is correctly patched.

In the above cases, rather than analyzing only e-mail traffic to known users, we are forced to analyze all SMTP traffic. On the other hand, emails can be delivered to unknown users, which is detrimental to your system due to the generation of bounces.

If you have the choice, prefer other systems for better analysis results and less configuration hassle. It should be noted that for Microsoft Exchange Server and Lotus Notes 6, a little configuration is still recommended.