NUIT Introduces New University Junk and Virus-infected E-mail Filtering Service

NUIT is furthering its commitment to proactively address computer security threats by implementing a new University-wide E-mail Defense System (EDS) that will reduce the amount of junk and virus-infected e-mails that are sent to the University community.

This enterprise e-mail filtering system, powered by Sophos PureMessage, will scan all incoming Northwestern e-mail for junk e-mail and virus threats before it is delivered to the University's central e-mail servers (casbah, hecky, lulu, and merle).

When Northwestern's E-mail Defense System launches in October, 2005, it will be a University-wide opt-out implementation. Users who do NOT wish to participate will be able to simply remove themselves by using easy to follow instructions that will be made available closer to implementation.

The implementation of Northwestern's E-mail Defense System (EDS) will be an automatic, University-wide opt-out implementation for users ONLY on one of the central e-mail servers (casbah, hecky, lulu, and merle). Users who do not wish to participate will be able to simply remove themselves by using easy-to-follow instructions that will be made available closer to implementation.

E-mail is the most common way that a computer virus can infect a computer; therefore, users will see a significant increase in their computer security. There will also be a considerable decrease in the amount of incoming junk e-mail, allowing for easier e-mail management.

As some junk e-mail may still get into your mail inbox after the E-mail Defense System is implemented, individual responsibility is still considered the best way to fight junk e-mail and viruses. For assistance with computer security and setting up local junk e-mail filtering, please visit NUIT's Get Control Web site.

Northwestern's E-mail Defense System (EDS) scans incoming e-mail accounts that reside on one of the central e-mail servers (casbah, hecky, lulu, and merle) for junk e-mail and virus threats.

How does the E-mail Defense System identify junk e-mail?
EDS contains several hundred junk e-mail tests that analyze individual characteristics of each message. Each of these tests has a numerical weight. When a message is analyzed by EDS, the weights from all the junk e-mail tests that matched the message are added up and converted to a junk e-mail score that expresses the message's "junk e-mail probability." Each e-mail is then assigned a junk e-mail probability rating between 0 and 100 based on these multiple tests. The higher the junk e-mail probability rating, the more likely the e-mail is marked as junk mail.

Junk e-mail will be safely quarantined (placed in an isolated location on the network) for a user to access and review at any time. An e-mail digest that contains a list of quarantined e-mails will be sent to each user daily during off-peak hours. Users will be able to have quarantined messages sent to their inbox or deleted entirely. In addition, users will have the ability to customize what gets quarantined to ensure that desired e-mails are delivered appropriately.

How does the E-mail Defense System identify viruses?
EDS uses antivirus definitions much like the antivirus software installed on users' personal computers. Messages that are identified as viruses are blocked from delivery to the mail servers.

The implementation of EDS is an opt-out service and will be implemented across the University automatically on October 3, 2005.

University training will be rolled out in conjunction with the implementation to ensure proper user understanding. Training locations and times will be announced closer to implementation.

Related Web Links

Observer Online: New e-mail filter puts spam on defense
October 6, 2005

Observer Online and NU Newswire: Stop spam! E-mail defense system on the way
June 23, 2005

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