Spam engine to help Spamassasin in SL Mail Server

Hello folks,
I'd like to know if you can recommend a good spam engine/app to help spamassasin that's built-in Snow Leopard Mail Server.
What do you network admins use against spam? Do you rely only on Spamassasin?
Thanks,
Andrei D.

SpamAssassin/amavisd works fine and can block spam effectively. It will however need some under the hood tuning as the Server Admin settings for it are very limited.
For a description of the available parameters, see here:
http://www200.pair.com/mecham/spam/amavisd-settings.html
It is also important to improve on the Postfix configuration as it makes sense to block as much spam as possible before it even hits the spam filter. For a how-to see here:
http://osx.topicdesk.com/content/view/38/62/
(works for 10.6 as well).
HTH,
Alex

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Help Setting Up 2nd Mail Server

I am running Mac OS 10.4 server. I have several web sites running on this server but only one of the domains currently has a mail server. I use Server Admin & Workgroup Manager to administor as I am not very unix savvy.
Here is what I have done so far.
Created the domain: m2venturepartners.com in the web:sites section
Created the Web Server Alias mail.m2venturepartners.com under the Web:Site:Aliases section
Since the DNS and website is hosted elsewhere I had them create the MX record that points to mail.m2venturepartners.com and a DNS record that points mail.m2venturepartners.com to 209.233.105.38 the ip address for my server.
I created mail users with the workgroup manager enabling mail and adding the mail server: mail.m2venturepartners.com
At this point I set up a user client and successfully logged into both the imap & smtp servers. But when I send an email to a [email protected] it comes back with the following failure notice:
Hi. This is the qmail-send program at yahoo.com.
I'm afraid I wasn't able to deliver your message to the following addresses.
This is a permanent error; I've given up. Sorry it didn't work out.
<[email protected]>:
209.233.105.38 does not like recipient.
Remote host said: 554 <[email protected]>: Relay access denied
Giving up on 209.233.105.38.
--- Below this line is a copy of the message.
Return-Path: <[email protected]>
Received: (qmail 45053 invoked from network); 24 Aug 2007 22:48:56 -0000
Received: from unknown (HELO ?192.168.0.6?) ([email protected]@71.222.44.164 with plain)
by smtp120.sbc.mail.sp1.yahoo.com with SMTP; 24 Aug 2007 22:48:55 -0000
X-YMail-OSG: yQiheJEVM1l8vJBxkIys4PycpRxUDgIoO14X4_4y.8pYEICipPMkhjKPq8QO2Wcc139G.QMQaA--
Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v752.3)
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Message-Id: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
To: Michael Teel <[email protected]>
From: Michael Teel <[email protected]>
Subject: Test7
Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:48:48 -0700
X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.752.3)
I'm lost as to what to do under the Mail section of Server Admin. Because this section was filled in when I set up my original domain (theteelfamily.com) and I can't figure out how to add additional domains.
Can someone help me get this 2nd mail server up receiving mail?
Thanks

I am having the same sort of problems as you - and I have not been able to resolve my problems as yet. The document which was referred to earlier might be helpful, but I have not been able to get this to work, and Apple don't seem to offer any real Postfix support. I can get outgoing mail to work but incoming mail is always rejected for one reason or another (550 nu such mailbox is the usual problem).

Lion Mail Server Engine

Greetings All,
I'm currently researching the Mail server used in Lion Server 10.7.2. Specifically, I'm trying to figure out what engine is used to run the mail server and also the more intriquite and internal workings of the mail server. I'm researching this for a project that I'm on so the more I can figure out about it on a technical level, the roots of the software, etc. the better off I'll be.
I'd appreciate any information that anyone can lend me or direct me towards that would help satisfy this inquiry.
Thank You.

The only thing I've determined is that Roundcube provides the webmail portion.

Spam help! and group mailing help.

Hi I recently setup mail services for a client with around 100 users, between two domains on an Xserve. The service is running fine but they are getting tons of spam. I created the junk and not junk users and they have been forwarding the ones that slip through, as to train the filter. This just doesn't seem to do the trick, as they are still getting a lot. Their old EMS server I removed had quite a few filters and seemed to be doing a much better job that tiger mail services. My question to you is: Are their some common IP addresses i should be blacklisting? What are you guys doing to reduce the spam. I am no stranger to Apples server products but am a newbie when it comes to mail. Most of my clients use an ISP or PC based solution for their mail. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Also, the same client says on his old server he could send a message to [email protected] and everyone on his server would get it. I tried creating a group and adding everyone to it. I sent a message to the [email protected] but it was rejected. He really doesn't want a full fledged mailing list. Is there a way to get this done? Thanks guys.

The same client says on his old server he could send a message to
[email protected] and everyone on his server would get it. I tried
creating a group and adding everyone to it. I sent a message to
the [email protected] but it was rejected. He really doesn't want a
full fledged mailing list. Is there a way to get this done? Thanks guys.
No. There is no automatic option for sending to all users with the Mac Server.
You need to setup a mailing list or create an alias that forwards to all your users.
I created the junk and not junk users and they have been forwarding
the ones that slip through, as to train the filter. This just doesn't
seem to do the trick, as they are still getting a lot.
Given your post, it's hard to tell how much customization you have done. Assuming you have done no more customization than you have shared in your post, then the following instructions should help.
Download and install spamtrainer:
http://osx.topicdesk.com/spamtrainer
(#1) If you have not made a lot of custom modifications to the server, in terminal ... run:
sudo spamtrainer -f
This will Fix the amavisd/spamassassin configuration on OS X 10.4.x (in particular, this applies the symlink fix for Mac Server that needs to be made for proper SpamAssassin learning).
(#2) Then, run ...
sudo spamtrainer -a
This will add some additional SARES rule-sets to your configuration.
(#3) Then run ...
sudo spamtrainer -i
... and set up are daily cron script for SpamAssassin learning.
Once you have run these steps, be aware that SpamAssassin needs to learn at least 200 junk/notjunk e-mails before it kicks in. You will not see any impact from the learning process until you've fed SpamAssassin with at least 200 e-mails).
(#4) You need to optimize the SpamAssassin levels in your amavisd.conf file. Review this post by Pterobyte that outlines some suggested levels and make the appropriate changes for your client's system.
(#5) Finally, if you are using OS X 10.4 Server and you want to lock down down your Postfix restrictions, download Pterobyte's "Frontline Spam Defense" at:
http://osx.topicdesk.com/tutorials
This will cut down on more than 50% of the spam hitting your client's server before it ever gets to their content filter.

Redirect mail is marked as spam.. need help

Hi all, because the lack of IMAP services on sbcglobal.net server I need to get my mail on my xserve (mac mail) and then REDIRECT to another account that allow me to use IMAP (so I can use my iphone, laptop, home and ofvice computers). Overall is working fine but about 1/3 of the messages are flag as spam after redirect.
The most curius thing is if I only change my mail rule to forward instead of redirect it works fine, the problem doing forward is that I loose the original header of the message.
Anyone know if there any script or plug in or something I can use to redirect my mail without a spam flag.
Any directions are very welcome.
JC

There probably isn't much you can do about this.
The issue may be that, according to many rules of spam, the message IS spam.
For example, if you redirect a message from domaina.com via your server to domainb.om, the domainb.com mail server may legitimately reject the message because your mail server is not a legitimate mail server for domaina.com. In other words, your server is not permitted to send mail for domaina.com.
Now, for sure, the receiving mail server should check for the redirect header but most don't. You may also find that even if it does check redirects, the server might not reject it outright, but the redirect may increase the weight of the message's spam score until it tips the balance.

Help with Mail Server Setup/DynDNS

I don't have a static IP so I setup an account/registered a domain with DynDNS. The test site is hosted fine via Leopard Server. However, I am trying to setup a mail server to no avail. Configured Mail Server through the assistant and ended up with these settings: domain name - performa460.com hostname - mail.performa460.com POP, IMAP, and SMTP all enabled. Setup a user in workgroup manager and enabled mail. Still Cannot access mail through Mail.app and no users are listed on the Maintenance/Accounts pane. Obviously I'm new to this and need to be pointed in the right direction. Any help is apreciated; thanks!

DynDNS's base service won't work for you if you want to use your own full domain name unless you use their Custom DNS paid service. I'm assuming this is something you've already done. If so, you need to configure both the host name and the MX records for your domain to point to the right places. You'll need to set up DynDNS name servers through whatever domain registrar you use and then configure the CustomDNS service through DynDNS's web interface. Once you can successfully connect using a web browser, then look into your mail settings.
However, depending on what provider you're using for your broadband, you may have the mail ports blocked by your ISP and/or in your cablemodem/router. Be sure to open 25 and 587 and any other ports you intend to use.
Finally, you may find that even if you've configured everything correctly, other providers will refuse your mail as spam (google, yahoo, etc) because your IP address is on a "residential subnet" or because your forward and reverse DNS don't match. That means you'll need a mail reflector to bounce your mail off of with a proper IP. DynDNS has inbound and outbound mailhop services that you can use for an additional fee.
Bottom line is, because spambots inhabit a lot of dynamic IP blocks, you have to jump through a ton of hoops to get it working reliably.

An error occurred while sending mail. The mail server responded: 5.7.1 [P4] Message blocked due to spam content in message

I have been using Thunderbird for a couple of years. On Friday 10 Apr my home email account stopped sending either new messages or replying to incoming emails. In addition I have Thunderbird get my work email and I can send and receive email just fine. I can also send email from my android phone and via the web.
The message that has started coming up is the following:
An error occurred while sending mail. The mail server responded: 5.7.1 [P4] Message blocked due to spam content in the message.. Please check the message and try again.
I have tried reinstalling Thunderbird but nothing changed, I tried changing the port from 25 to 587 to 465 but nothing changed. I do not understand what is going on as on Wednesday Apr 8 everything was working just fine.

I have just tried ringing RCN and they tell me that because I am not using an RCN email as such they can not help but he suggested that it was a filter in Thunderbird but I have not set any filters and can not see if there are any or how to change them. The only way sending my website url right now is to make it not look like a url. Where do I need to look to solve this as I first wrote last week everything was fine.

Mail server has just stopped working. No errors in any log. Help!

I am running OS X Server 3.0.2 on Mavericks 10.9.1. Today at around 14:30 my Mail server, which has been working fine for over a year and for nearly a month under Server 3.0.2 just stopped working! I have tried stopping and starting Mail in Server.app and via ServerAdmin but the servcies will not start... serveradmin claims that IMAP is running but that SMTP/SMTPD/Virus Scanner/SPAM filtering/Virus updating are not. I tried disabling the all the filtering services but to no avail. Even though it claims IMAP is running I cannot connect from any client...
I have rebooted the machine but this did not help. I have looked at all the logs (system, mail, dovecot, postfix, amavis) and theer are no suspicious messages in any of them!
I am out of ideas and my mail server is down which is very serious so if anyone has any ideas please pitch in.
Thanks.

My problems were:
1.    Server.app shows the Mail service stuck in 'starting' status
2.    serveradmin shows that IMAP is running but SMTPD, Spam filtering, Virus filtering and Virus updating were STOPPED.
3.    No clients could connect to either IMAPS or SMTP.
Diagnostics performed:
All the various messafge logs (system.log, Mail.log, mail-info.log mail-err.log, amavis.log) show no abnormal messages.
DNS is working just fine.
In the end I did the following:
1.    Stop all mail related services.
2.    Make a safe copy of /Library/Server/Mail/Config
3.    Restore the previous days version of /Library/Server/Mail/Config from backup.
4.    Start the Mail service
And all was working again just fine.
I then did a file by file compare of all the configuration files between the workign and not working configurations and I found just the following two differences in postfix/main.cf:
Not working:
inet_interfaces = loopback-only
smtpd_helo_required = no
Working:
inet_interfaces = all
smtpd_helo_required = yes
I don't think the second difference is so critical but the first seems to break everything (not too surprising I guess). All the other files were identical.
So, the good news is that all is working again but the huge concern is why this change happenned, seemingly at random. My strong suspicion is that Server.app, at some point when I exited it havign made some minor change unrelated to mail decided to apply these incorrect changes to the Mail configuration. Why it would do this is beyond me. I think there are some subtle bugs in Server 3.0 (and maybe Server 2.2 as well)...

Needed: Person who can help me set up mail service

Hi...I've been reading the forum for days and have been finding information in small bits and pieces...but I need someone who can help me put it all together. Basically, we are trying to move our mail server in-house. We have a better than T1 connection, I just need SOMEONE who can tell me exactly what we need to do to set up mail service on osx server 10.4.8 to work for us. Any takers?
I have enough knowledge to set up our web and file sharing services (very easy, no brainer stuff), but really I'm lost on the Mail Service setup.
Thanks!

Hi
I hope this thread is not resolved. Even if it is, this is my solution.
0.1. You must have a domain name pointing to your public IP
0.2. Your router (if you have one) must forward smtp, pop, and imap ports to the private IP adress of the sever
Server Admin
1. You must have DNS enable with your domain name configured. I presume that you know to.
2. Setup your mail service
in General
2.1. Activate POP
2.2. Acivate Imap (if you need)
2.3. Activate SMTP
2.4. Accept incoming mail
2.5. Retain outgoing mail
in filter
2.6. Set up as you need
in advanced->security
2.7. Set up aurhentifaction for smtp and pop.(important for smtp because you can be a spam relay)
in advanced->Hosting
2.8. add your domain name in localhost window
Users admin
3. Go to your users account (mail tab)
3.1 Activate mail
3.2 Choose receipt method.
I've followed this procedure 5 or 6 times and it's working fine every time.
Be carefull. In 10.4.8, something change in Imap service and the send of messages dont work. There is a little corrective to apply (a line to change in a config file but I do not remember what)
Sorry if the words are not exactly the same on you screen. I'm working on a french vs and my english is not very good.
Good luck
Vinc'

Please help with mail server choice and setup

Hello dear arch users, for begining i`ll start with litle intro what i know, and what i dont understand, so it would be easyer to help solve my problem, thanks for reading this.
I've been using arch for some time (few months) but i still dont know very much about it..
I have successfully installed lighttpd+php (fcgi)+mysql+phpmyadmin, ssh and mc allso of cource, serveral times, so i know how to solve little problems
I need everything lightweight because my arch's box is not so fresh as i could want
p2 350mhz CPU
192mb of RAM
8Gb HDD
10Mbit internet connection
whole project is for personal use only, and it will not even reach 10 user limit (me and some friends are using this..)
Now i`m willing to install mail server with some webmail ( i dont like outlook express thunderbird and other clients, only web acces)
I have googled for tutorials for 2 days now, just looking for best thing for newbie like me, with little knowlage of linux.
SquirrelMail or RoundCube wich one is bether ? I like RoundCube because it has nicer web design, but is it bether that SquirrelMail ?
Postfix and Dovecot are they enough good, or is there anything bether ?
Spamassasin and Graylistening will this work, or i`ll need something stronger?
Did i miss anything ?
I just want to say thanks for reading this, and helping me out. Thanks!
ps will this be good enough tutorial to follow ? http://www.hypexr.org/linux_mail_server.php
Karlis.
Last edited by karlis (2010-01-10 13:49:14)

Hi, thanks for response
SSL certificate is generated ... ok so it wont be so hard to help here are my configs
main.cf
# Paths
queue_directory = /var/spool/postfix
command_directory = /usr/sbin
daemon_directory = /usr/lib/postfix
mail_owner = postfix
# Domain settings
myhostname = <mydomain>
myorigin = <mydomain>
mydestination = $myhostname, localhost.$mydomain, localhost
# SMTP settings
smtpd_tls_cert_file=/etc/ssl/certs/mail.crt
smtpd_tls_key_file=/etc/ssl/private/mail.key
smtpd_use_tls=yes
smtpd_tls_session_cache_database = btree:/var/lib/postfix/smtpd_scache
smtp_tls_session_cache_database = btree:/var/lib/postfix/smtp_scache
smtpd_tls_loglevel = 1
smtpd_sasl_auth_enable = yes
smtp_sasl_auth_enable = yes
smtpd_recipient_restrictions = permit_sasl_authenticated,
permit_mynetworks,
reject_unauth_destination,
check_policy_service inet:127.0.0.1:10030
smtpd_sender_restrictions = permit_sasl_authenticated, permit_mynetworks
smtpd_sasl_security_options = noanonymous
# SASL
smtpd_sasl_type = dovecot
smtpd_sasl_path = /var/run/dovecot/auth-client
# Email and mailbox settings
alias_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/aliases
alias_database = $alias_maps
home_mailbox = Maildir/
virtual_alias_domains = <mydomain>
virtual_alias_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/virtual
mailbox_size_limit = 0
dovecot.conf
protocols = imap imaps
disable_plaintext_auth = yes
log_timestamp = "%b %d %H:%M:%S "
ssl = yes
ssl_cert_file = /etc/ssl/certs/mail.crt
ssl_key_file = /etc/ssl/private/mail.key
mail_access_groups = mail
mechanisms = plain login
socket listen {
client {
path = /var/run/dovecot/auth-client
mode = 0660
user = postfix
group = postfix
here are some of my config uncommented part, if its nececery i can zip and upload bouth configs to be 100% clear wheres the problem..
Karlis
Last edited by karlis (2010-01-13 18:02:23)

Is my mail server being used to relay spam?

I've just setup a new OS X server (10.5.6). The only two services I have running are mail and web. The web services seem to be running well. However, mail is giving me problems. Specifically:
I have "Relay" set with two ip addresses. The first is localhost: 127.0.0.0/8 and the other is: 216.23.173.96/28 which is the ip network my server is on.
However, when I look at my SMTP log - set to "debug" level - it shows lots of mail activity including this entry:
"Apr 23 19:53:34 MMcolo postfix/smtp[39718]: DBEAE98602: host g.mx.mail.yahoo.com[206.190.53.191] refused to talk to me: 421 Message from (216.23.173.107) temporarily deferred - 4.16.50. Please refer to http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/mail/defer/defer-06.html"
That url takes you to a page that states that my mail server may be being used as a spam server, so I can't send mail to yahoo accounts.
The logs also show multiple attempts to connect to a variety of different domains. Since I'm the only one with an account on my server and I know I'm not sending those emails, it makes me concerned. Anyone have any suggestions or advice?
Thanks in advance,
John

I just went through this when I migrated to a new ISP. However, it was Comcast that was blocking me with a similar message. We thought our ISP had provided clean IPs. So I called Comcast and they were actually very helpful. Found out that in addition to some blacklist providers (spamhaus, etc) they are also using senderscore.org and trustedsource.org.
Turns out the block was due to the IP being listed as malicious on trustedsource.org. Got a new block from my ISP and all is now good. (trustedsource shows as unverified for the new, but that's ok with Comcast). From what I see unverified is the standard state for very low volume sites. There are some other sites for this "credit" score as well. senderbase.com is another (based on Cisco's IronPort).
So I would follow the link yahoo gives and select the part that says to send yahoo the messages and let them help diagnose the problem. If they're willing to help, use that.

HELP!!! Mail wont open

Hi can someone pleaseeeeee help me with this problem. It all started about a month and half ago and i am unable to open mail. I have my mail in my dock and everytime i click on it i see "mail" at the top of the browser but the actual mail server or browser doesn't open. I dont know if this had to do with me downloading a mail notifier from google gmail and since then when i tried to open mail it stop working it wont open! i uninstalled the google app and it still wont open i tired everything i think, i even turned off the computer and back on and nothing. I have a mac book pro tiger 10.4.11 Please HELP! thanks in advance.

First I'd backup your whole Mail folder, with a right Mouse click>Archive, move to a safe place, also move the file below to a safe place.
Try moving this file first, then logout/in...
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist
If that doesn't work try the .plists in...
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Mail/
If you wish to reinstall Mail, it's on your Install Disk.
Custom installs in Mac OS X 10.4...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301229
"Here's a list of all the custom installation options available with Optional Installs.mpkg:
* Applications
o Address Book 4.0
o iCal 2.0
o iChat 3.0
o iTunes 4.7.1
o Mail 2.0
o Oxford Dictionaries
o Safari 2.0
o X11"
Personally, I'd leave Mail just lie... it's like trying use an Etch-a-Sketch to replicate the Mona Lisa for me!
I use these two...
Eudora...
http://www.eudora.com/download/
Thunderbird...
http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird/

Mail server problems - please help

Hello,
all of a sudden I'm unable to send mail.
The outgoing mail server has changed to iCloud - where originally it was "smtp.me.com:my email address"
When I go into Mail Preferences and try to change it from iCloud to smtp....., although it asks me if I want
to save the change, it doesn't save it and goes back to iCloud.
Also, when I try to switch it out of iCloud directly in the email I'm trying to compose, it won't allow me that option any longer (under "Customize")
Any help?
Thank you

Welcome to the Apple community.
Is this an iCloud or 3rd party email address.

HT201320 I want to set up a POP3 email account but in all the help I have found so far I should get the option to choose IMAP or POP. This doesn't appear and I need POP3 because I don't want anything deleted from the mail server. I have an iPhone 5s and

How do I set up a POP3 email account on my iPhone5s, using iOS 7.1.1. All the help I have found tells me to select IMAP or POP but I am not given the choice. I need to be able to set 'Don't delete from mail server' which can't be done in IMAP.

tim.fry wrote:
My email provider is BT and they do support POP3, that's what I have been using for a number of years
Okay.
Then set it up.

In the new mail app for OSX v10.7 Lion it seems I can only setup my gmail account as an "imap", when I need to set it up as "pop"... PLZ HELP I NEED MY MAIL TO WORK!!!

In the new mail app for OSX v10.7 Lion it seems I can only setup my gmail account as an "imap", when I need to set it up as "pop"... PLZ HELP I NEED MY MAIL TO WORK!!!

Go to System prefs
Select Mail Contacts and Calendars
Then select Other
Then select "Add a Mail Account and click create
Then go to google for the settings you need:
First here for the settings online at gmail http://tinyurl.com/du3fu
Then here for the setting in mail http://tinyurl.com/38fevm8
These are instructions for Mail 4.0 but all of the necessary settings should be listed.

Spam engine to help Spamassasin in SL Mail Server

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