Outlook Express v6 Message Rules

Doug · #1 30-07-2006, 02:26 PM

Hi All, I am being spammed by a few lowlifers. IInet are unwilling or unable to help even though they offer free anti vuiirus and anti spam services. They might not remain my ISP for much longer!
In the mean time, trying to set up a message rule to deal with these is proving a bit of a challenge.
They never use the same words in the 'From' or 'Subject', only the message text contains consistant words or phrases.
My outlook program does all the things it is supposed to do, exept it will not delete these spams. I set it up to respond to words within the message, tell it what to do with them, tell it to 'apply now' after which it reports that the rule has been applied to the inbox, howver the message remains untouched.
I can manually delete, but that is not what the idea of the message rules is.
I could go out and buy my own antispam S/W but I don't think I should have to.
I am wondering if anyone has any ideas as to why I can't get a message rule to act on message text, especially since it claims to do so.
Doug

[1ponders] (Paul) · #2 30-07-2006, 02:33 PM

Doug, what are the "Conditions" and "Actions" you have specified?

acropolite (Phil) · #3 30-07-2006, 02:42 PM

I use message rules at work, they're fantastic, if you want to act on text selecting "where the message body contains words" should do the trick although I have noticed that on occasions the message rule doesn't seem to work despite being set up correctly. Just tried one and I found that the main message body is a gif file (invoked through html), so the rule can't read the text. There are some advanced rule utilities that can be downloaded that may help but I seem to remember that they only work with outlook and not outlook express..

Doug · #4 30-07-2006, 02:45 PM

Hi Paul thanks for yourinterest. The conditions are "Where the message body contains" here I insert commonly occuring words. Then I have tried as actions both 'delete' and ' move to specified folder' (deleted items).
The worrying thing is if I send myself a message containing the selected words, the message goes straight to the deleted items folder after I receive it back. I read somewhere that rules don't apply to html or imap message seviceas (I think), but mine is pop3.
These spam messages contain a link to 'unsubscribe'.
Heck I don't have a PhD in Internet technology, but I didn't come down in the last shower either.

Doug

[1ponders] (Paul) · #5 30-07-2006, 02:50 PM

Have you tried the action "Do not download it from server" or "Delete from Server" ?

Like Phil, I also have various rules set up for dealing with scum, very few get through. What I'm really waiting for though is for some enterprising person to invent a virus that I can attach to a "reply" action and the virus will physically chew up the spammers HDD

Doug · #6 30-07-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

a virus that I can attach to a "reply" action and the virus will physically chew up the spammers HDD

Ohhh Yea!

But don't overlook overwriting their BIOS as well.

I never gave delete at server a thought. I have reset it for that and lets see what happens,thanks for the idea,
and Paul, sorry we seemed to be messaging at about the same time.

cheers,
Doug

acropolite (Phil) · #7 30-07-2006, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponders

What I'm really waiting for though is for some enterprising person to invent a virus that I can attach to a "reply" action and the virus will physically chew up the spammers HDD

unfortunately by the time the message was returned they would be gone. I tried bouncing messages to invalid addresses at our work domain name and all I got was error messages back for invalid destinations. They always seem to be one step ahead This link may do the trick, haven't tried it though.

Doug · #8 30-07-2006, 04:00 PM

G'day Phil,
I might try that if I still have trouble...should know by this time tomorrow. BTW, Sorry I mixed names a bit. In my last post my referrence to messaging at the same time was meant for you.
Well both names start with 'P'

cheers,
Doug

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #9 30-07-2006, 06:43 PM

Doug
look on the web for a program called "Spamihilator"
it's free

johnno · #10 30-07-2006, 11:01 PM

I use the free version of Mailwasher.

you can add people to "Friends List",or "blacklist",Including entire Domain.

You Do have to manually delete,but the Mail is checked back at the server NOT,when it gets to your computer.

I could never figure out the Message rulesetc,
but will admit to a very low level of Computer Intelligence.

http://www.mailwasher.net/

Regards.John

RAJAH235 · #11 30-07-2006, 11:25 PM

John, you should purchase the pro version like I did many yrs ago....Can be set to auto destruct......

L.
ps. Nice, easy to use Prog. Might solve a few probs Doug..

asimov (John) · #12 30-07-2006, 11:57 PM

Mail washers great, been using it for 3 yrs or more now.

johnno · #13 31-07-2006, 01:25 AM

Hi All,

Rajah,
You,and Asi,are both right,I do love the program,and will purchase the pro version,even the free version is brilliant.

Cheers.John

Doug · #14 01-08-2006, 02:10 PM

Setting the message rules to delete at server seems to have worked. I did get one message through, but fairnuf, it used words that I had not black listed.....................then. Why the rule would not work with 'send to specified folder', I have no idea.
Thanks everbody for your help and advice.......much appreciated,
I'm seriously thinking of having a look at Mailwasher,
cheers,
Doug

RAJAH235 · #15 01-08-2006, 05:47 PM

Good Doug....Might be a way to stop most of the crap you get....

L.
ps. Now asidough, how we gunna split the commish?