[Hidden-tech] New kinds of spam issues

[Bruce Hooke]

I manage the websites/email systems of a number of small non-profit
organizations and this is, by my observation, an increasing problem. What
commonly happens is if your website/email are hosting in a shared server
environment with lots of other websites/email then something going wrong on
one of the websites that allows it to become a relay for spam or one domain
sending too much bulk email that gets flagged as spam can get the whole
system flagged as a sender of spam and result in a spike in blocked emails
for everyone in that shared server system. Usually the hosting company will
jump on this and go through the hoops to get their system cleared but it can
take a few days and then next time something goes wrong on one website the
whole process starts over. And certain receiving email systems with very
rigorous spam filters can be especially problematic. What usually seems to
happen is the smallest organization in the chain gets left holding the bag.
The big businesses and governmental entities effectively say "sorry we won't
change our system even if our system is not standards-compliant. It's up to
you to sort out how to communicate with us if you want to be able to reach
us." 

The best solution I've found is to shift your email to running on Google's
system. Note that this does not mean you need to have an @gmail.com email
address. If you sign up for Google Apps you can keep your
@myorganization.com email accounts, everything is just routed over Google's
email system, which is more reliable and less likely to get you flagged as
sending spam, in my experience. Google Apps is free for most non-profits but
does cost if you are a for-profit business.

Bruce Hooke
B.G.Hooke Consulting

-----Original Message-----
From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
[mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Shel
Horowitz, Ethical/Green Marketing Expert
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2014 9:33 AM
To: hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net; Michelle Shaeffer
Subject: [Hidden-tech] New kinds of spam issues

   ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
   ** If you did, we all thank you.


My assistant just called me to tell me that e-mail she sent me was blocked
as probable spam, to both two of my domain emails and my gmail address. I
have also noticed that in the last two weeks, a lot of the email I send
(especially BCC) is being blocked for the same reason--to four particular
recipients.

At the same time, I get nondelivery messages on my server from some Russian
spammer pretending to be me.

Of course, the flow of inbound actual junk continues unabated. :-(

Should we just go back to mailing letters, or are there workable solutions?
-- 


_________________________________________________
Shel Horowitz - Green Business Profitability Expert Helping you find the
value in your values since 1981 - because Green isn't just good for the
planet--it's *great* for your bottom line

Contact me to reach Green, socially conscious consumers with marketing that
has THEM calling YOU"

Twitter: @shelhorowitz

* First business ever to be Green America Gold Certified
* Inducted into the National Environmental Hall of Fame

http://business-for-a-better-world.com * http://greenandprofitable.com/
mailto:shel at greenandprofitable.com * 413-586-2388 Latest award-winning,
best-selling (8th) book:
Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green (co-authored with Jay Conrad Levinson)

Blog: http://greenandprofitable.com/shels-blog
_________________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net
Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net

You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion list.
If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members   
page on the Hidden Tech Web site.
http://www.hidden-tech.net/members
-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2014.0.4744 / Virus Database: 3986/7995 - Release Date: 08/06/14