The Bottom Line
WinAntiSPAM is a simple challenge-response spam fighting tool that works as a POP proxy. Unfortunately, WinAntiSPAM doesn't even use captchas for authentication.
Pros
- WinAntiSPAM is easy to use
- Works as a POP proxy with any email program
- Can import from Windows address book
Cons
- WinAntiSPAM has a weak authentication mechanism
- Challenges can be annoying
- Supports POP accounts only
Description
- WinAntiSPAM is a spam filtering tool using a challenge-response approach.
- Only mail from authorized senders is allowed through by WinAntiSPAM.
- New senders must authorize themselves by replying to a auto-generated challenging message.
- You can also authorize senders manually in WinAntiSPAM and import the Windows address book.
- WinAntiSPAM works as a POP proxy in between your email client and the email server.
- WinAntiSPAM supports Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/3/XP.
Guide Review - WinAntiSPAM 1.18 - Spam Filter
The theory behind a challenge-response approach to spam filtering says that it's impossible (and not lucrative) for spammers to authorize their address (which they hardly ever hand out to begin with).
WinAntiSPAM applies this theory in a simple manner, relying on spammers never using an address they can validate since authorization happens by a mere reply. This is convenient, but the challenges can still be annoying, in particular for newsletter publishers. Conversely, spammers just have to use commonly authorized addresses in the From: line to get through.
WinAntiSPAM must be credited for applying its overall simple approach to the user interface as well (though the account configuration is a bit odd), which makes it quite easy to use.
