Why do Filters False Positive?

For millions of users spam filters make email useable. Even users who don't think they have any spam filtering usually do. Almost all ISPs now have some level of server side program to help stop spam email.

A lot of email gets blocked due to the originating server or network being included on a real-time blacklist. These blacklists are used on a large percentage of incoming email servers to help determine which messages are spam.

Various blacklists have different criteria for inclusion. Some only list the worst known spammers. Others list entire networks or even geographical regions which are, "problem areas." Different anti-spam software applications use different blacklists by default.

There are numerous websites that let you check if your ISP is blacklisted. Inevitably, almost everyone's server is on at least one blacklist.

Obviously, just because your mail server got included on a blacklist doesn't make you a spammer. However, many ISP's choose aggressive blacklists to limit how much email their servers have to cope with. This inevitably results in missed messages.

The other main cause of errors by spam blockers is questionable content. Sometimes this can be a racy letter from a special friend. A joking mention of Viagra can also get a message blocked.

Email applications that inject graphics into messages can also trip filters. Sometimes spyware or malware can insert advertisements into email messages - making them look more like spam. A free email account may also add advertisements to messages with the same results.

SpamButcher is less likely to false positive than other competing filters. The application is available as a free anti-spam trial download from this site. Upgrades and patches to the product are always without charge. SpamButcher works comparably well as a filter for home use, or as a business spam filtering solution.

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