Scanner mail

Scanner mail, also known as email scanning or email filtering, is a process where an email is analyzed by a software program or a human operator to determine its relevance, importance, or potential threat to the recipient's computer or network. The purpose of scanner mail is to help prevent spam, phishing, and other types of malicious emails from reaching the recipient's inbox.

Here are some common types of scanner mail:

  1. Spam filters: These filters use algorithms and machine learning techniques to identify and block spam emails. They can be based on keywords, sender IP addresses, and other characteristics.
  2. Virus scanners: These scanners check emails for viruses, malware, and other types of malicious code. They can detect and remove infected emails or quarantine them to prevent spreading.
  3. Phishing filters: These filters detect and block emails that are designed to trick users into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.
  4. Content filters: These filters analyze the content of emails to determine their relevance and importance. They can be used to prioritize important emails or block unwanted messages.
  5. Greylisting filters: These filters temporarily block unknown senders and require them to resend the email after a short period. This helps to prevent spam and phishing attacks.

Scanner mail can be implemented at various levels, including:

  1. Email client: Many email clients, such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird, have built-in spam filters and virus scanners.
  2. Email server: Email servers, such as Microsoft Exchange or Postfix, can be configured to scan emails for spam, viruses, and other types of malicious content.
  3. Email gateway: Email gateways, such as Barracuda or Proofpoint, are specialized servers that scan emails as they enter or leave an organization's network.
  4. Cloud-based services: Cloud-based services, such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, offer scanner mail capabilities as part of their email services.

Overall, scanner mail is an important tool in the fight against email-based threats and helps to keep users' inboxes safe and secure.