Are You Using IMF?

Are you sick of spam? Did you realize that on your SBS 2003 server Microsoft provides a free spam fighting engine? Yep the Intelligent Messaging Filter is a nice add on to Exchange 2003.

Here's a step by step process on what you can do to get it going properly and easily manage it:

Go to the M&M site (home of the SBS MVP's Mariette and Marina) and see step by step details on how to install the IMF on your SBS machine.

Then go to either 1: The Exchange Blog and get the web based archive manager or go to 2: The Exchange Team's GotDotNet site and get the DotNet version of Archive Manager . I personally use the second version. It's clean and runs as a simple .exe file that I can easily put on the desktop of my client's servers. You can easily scan entries and resubmit if needed to the Exchange pickup queue.

Don't forget to enable the reg key to get the SCL (Spam Confidence Level) displayed in the archive utility. The IMF deployment guide on Technet can help you in this. But essentially you go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Exchange\ContentFilter and enter a new DWord of ArchiveSCL=1. That's it now you've got Microsoft's SCL listing.

Now what should you set up for the SCL? Well remember that the LOWER you go with the numbers the more spam you catch. I have to say I have initially set mine rather high but have adjusted as I see how much spam and false positives come in. I have my client's set to 7 right now. I think this might be adjusted but I don't know which is worse having a client state "I have too much spam" or "that dang filter ate an email." Remember that email is the lifeblood of a good business nowadays so step lightly when it comes you adjusting your SCL.

Oh and one other point, the Exchange Team yesterday reminded us that an update to IMF is on the way early next year. It'll be eagerly accepted!

So go out and stomp out that SPAM now.