Electronic Mail FAQ - E-Mail Scanning Issues
We've prepared this FAQ to address your questions regarding our e-mail services.
The topics covered by this FAQ are general in nature and are applicable to all
customers using TDE-provided e-mail services. This FAQ is continually being
updated, so check back for additional questions and answers.
Q. Are my TDE-provided e-mail services censored?
A. By default, our mail system scans all e-mail for viruses, forbidden attachments,
and Unsolicited Commercial E-mail (UCE), or SPAM. E-mail found to contain a
potential virus, forbidden attachment, or UCE/SPAM is not delivered, but is
instead sent to the quarantine. From time to time we may, at our discretion,
apply temporary overrides to these scanning facilities to help prevent the spread
of viruses and other malicious e-mails. E-mail blocked by these overrides is
also sent to the quarantine. E-mail that has been quarantined is available for
your review and may be released for delivery to your mailbox if desired. These
scanning facilities aside, your TDE-provided e-mail services are not censored.
As long as your TDE-provided e-mail services are not being used in connection
with any illegal activities, you may exchange e-mail with anyone about anything.
Q. What is a virus?
A. With respect to TDE-provided e-mail services, what constitutes a virus is
determined primarily by virus definitions provided by a third-party security
company. These definitions are automatically updated as new viruses are discovered.
In general, a computer virus is a program written to alter the way a computer
operates, without the permission or knowledge of the user. More generically,
"virus" is often used to refer to any malicious code that may, or
may not, meet the technical definition of a computer virus.
Q. What is a forbidden attachment?
A. With respect to TDE-provided e-mail services, a forbidden attachment is
an attachment that may be used to deliver potentially harmful content. A common
example of forbidden attachments is *.EXE files.
Q. What is UCE/SPAM?
A. With respect to TDE-provided e-mail services, what constitutes UCE/SPAM
is determined primarily by UCE/SPAM definitions provided by a third-party company.
These definitions are automatically updated as new UCE/SPAM is discovered. In
general, UCE/SPAM is any unsolicited e-mail, typically for commercial and/or
marketing purposes. More generically, "SPAM" is often used to refer
to any unsolicited e-mail typically involving topics such as hoaxes, adult material,
money/finance schemes, pharmaceuticals, and other products.
Q. What is the quarantine?
A. With respect to TDE-provided e-mail services, the quarantine is a holding
area used to hold e-mail that has been identified as containing a potential
virus, a forbidden attachment, or UCE/SPAM.
Q. What happens to e-mail that is sent to the quarantine?
A. By default, all customers periodically receive a report of e-mail addressed
to them that has been sent to the quarantine. Via this report, customers may
release e-mail from the quarantine to allow it to be delivered to their mailbox,
delete e-mail from the quarantine, or do nothing. Customers may also review,
release, and delete e-mail that has been sent to the quarantine via the web-based
mail client. Quarantined e-mail that is neither released, nor deleted will remain
in the quarantine for up to seven days, after which time it will be deleted
automatically.
Q. What is a whitelist?
A. With respect to TDE-provided e-mail services, a whitelist is a list of e-mail
addresses from which e-mail will be delivered to your mailbox regardless of
content. It causes the e-mail to bypass the scanning facility and be delivered
to your mailbox.
Q. What is a blacklist?
A. With respect to TDE-provided e-mail services, a blacklist is a list of e-mail
addresses from which e-mail will be sent to the quarantine regardless of content.
It causes the e-mail to bypass the scanning facility and be sent to the quarantine.
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