SpamSentinel Version 8
STILL
 the best anti-spam and anti-virus solution for Domino!


Release Date: December 2014

We continue to update our SpamSentinel and Manage By Example products to give you the best IBM Notes/Domino anti-spam package for minimal administration and ease of use - please see below for a full list. Also, be sure to check out our popular Sidebar Applications - Canned Replies, Agenda and more!

As always, please feel free to contact us at support@maysoft.com if you have any questions or require support - we would also be happy to hear of any improvements or new features that you would like to be added.

SpamSentinel 8 runs on Lotus Domino versions 6 and higher, 32-bit and 64-bit.


Version Highlights:

Version 8 is mostly about improving virus protection from email viruses, both Zero Hour and via Email Attachments.

In this version we have really worked hard to stop viruses. We have many blog postings about the bad effects of these viruses at Frank's Blog

Many of our customers want to better understand our approach to blocking viruses in SpamSentinel V8 - please see the chart at the end of this page that explains it in detail.

SpamSentinel Version 8.0.2.6 Improvements


SpamSentinel Interceptor 2.6.5.8
  • Added an option to allow outbound messages to be processed, without processing inbound mail.
  • Add skip options to messages received by SMTP. Skipped messages will not be moved to the scan box and therefore will not be processed.

SpamSentinel Duo Engines 4.0.0.8 
  • Updated with Authentium 5.4.15-r2 SDK
  • Updated with Commtouch 8.00.0109 SD

SpamSentinel Router 2.6.2.9
  • No changes have been made to the SSRouter

SpamSentinel Scanner 8.0.2.6
  • Fixed a bug so that messages with restricted attachments that are also white listed resolve the Notes name correctly before sending to Quarantine.
  • Added an option for recipient lookups in the Domino Directory to be 'full name and local part', or 'full name only'.
  • We no longer override the restricted attachment 'quarantine' setting when a message is spam.
  • Added ability to use the new DBL lookup service from SpamHaus
  • Added ability to delay scanning a message which has been received in order to increase the chances of catching the very newest spam types.
  • Customizations can now be made to the notifications messages delivered to the senders of mail quarantined when outbound.
  • Notifications of an outbound restricted attachment message can now be delivered to an administrator rather than the original sender.

SpamSentinel Reporter 2.0.3.5
  • No changes have been made to the SpamSentinel Reporter

SpamSentinel Administration Database
  • Added UI options to support new features

SpamSentinel Manager 2.6.2.8 
  • No changes have been made to the SpamSentinel Manager.

SpamSentinel Monitor 3.0.0.4
  • Changed anti-virus update interval from hours to minutes.
  • Added support for Cyren Proactive Patterns

Non-Windows/Checking Machine Installations (AS400/Linux/Solaris)
  • Engine, Scanner, Monitor and database updates have been made as above.


We would also like to remind you that our popular Manage By Example (MBE) tool is now included in the SpamSentinel package. "SpamSentinel MBE", unlike earlier versions, does not require any changes to the mail template and runs as an add-in on the servers hosting your mail files. It replaces the daily report as the most up-to-date way to manage suspect messages. We also include the MBE installer to allow you to easily install onto mail servers that do not necessarily run SpamSentinel.

Manage by Example is a critical component of SpamSentinel. MBE gives your users complete control over the grey area of Spam-B and Newsletters, freeing up your administrators and help-desk staff. MBE ensure zero false positives by providing end user verification of suspect/Spam B messages. The Junk Mail folder is used for delivery of 'suspect' mail (Spam-B). For most customers, this completely replaces the daily report.

MBE 4.3.2.7
  • Fixed various bugs

Please be aware that the new SpamSentinel MBE tool will only be installed on servers that run Windows or Linux. Servers running AS/400 or Solaris should use MBE version 3.

Be sure to check out our popular Sidebar Applications at http://www.maysoft.com/web3.nsf/page/Products-Sidebar-Apps - Canned Replies, Agenda and more!

Click here to learn more about our previous release: Improvements in 8.0.0.4

4 Layer Approach to Effective Virus Blocking using SpamSentinel

Layer 1:
Spam Blocking

Blocks most viruses as "spam" that should be deleted.

39% of viruses are stopped this way.
Most viruses are generated and sent out in large waves of emails, so they exactly resemble spam.

The messages are classified at our highest level of spam, as Spam-D and immediately deleted or quarantined.
Layer 2:
Zero Hour Pattern Detection

Identifies viruses in the wild before they are
"named".

42% of viruses are stopped this way.

The Zero Hour approach does not rely on file scanning but provided malware detection based on identifiable patterns such as:
  • Sender IP addresses
  • Malicious code in attached malware
  • Combinations of characters from the subject and body of the email
  • Email distribution patterns – such as senders (how many, location) and the volume of the emails sent over a period of time.
  • Structure patterns – in the email messages and attachments.
Layer 3:
Traditional Anti-Virus Scanning

Identifies viruses based on known signatures.

15% of viruses are stopped this way.
SpamSentinel Antivirus looks specifically at the file attachments to accurately detect:
  • Malware hidden in PDF files, HTML and Java scripts, and archive files
  • Full anti-malware detection of worms, Trojans, spyware, adware and other potentially unwanted applications types

Malware detection is based on:
  • Heuristics – basic and emulator-based.
  • Algorithmic scanning methods – using an internal detection language.
  • Signature-based scanning – for exact malware file identification.
  • Emulation – for encrypted and polymorphic virus detection.
  • Full support for all types of ZIP, Bzip2, RAR, 7zip, NSIS and CAB compression techniques
Layer 4:
Restricted Attachments

Stops missed viruses by stopping and quarantining executable files.

4% of viruses are stopped this way.
Most viruses exploit the ability to launch right from the email message. That means they prefer to be executable files (EXE files). New variations are sent every day. Restricting EXE and other attachments is the last layer preventing viruses from entering your organization.