Qurb eTrust CA Anti-Spam Review
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CA Anti-Spam 2007 is designed to simplify the entire process of ridding your Inbox of spam. Instead of following the standard, tried and tested routine of filtering and blocking spam, CA Anti-Spam works by allowing only messages from approved senders to reach your inbox. All other messages are quarantined for later review.
This software integrates itself into Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express and provides an easy-to-use spam blocking interface. CA Anti-Spam 2007 is built on the award winning Qurb, an anti-spam and anti-phishing solution. The team behind Qurb were largely responsible for the success of the AvantGo service.
Installation
CA Anti-Spam installation was a very simple process. The installer is tiny for today's standards at just 7.76MB - this is pretty much one of the smallest installers I've seen in any product so far.
The only slight difference in the installation as compared to other spam filters is that CA Anti-Spam builds a list of Approved Senders as the second last step in the installation process. Basically CA Anti-Spam looks at your existing Inbox email, makes a list of all the people you receive email from and makes that your Approved Senders list. Once it has finished building your Approved Senders list, it then launches your email client.
Stability
CA Anti-Spam 2007 functioned perfectly during testing with no unforeseen issues or crashes. The software also uninstalled perfectly during testing. No GPFs, system errors or stop screens were encountered during the entire usage.
Ease of Use
Computer Associates have obviously taken the time to look at the usability of spam blockers. They've taken away all the hard work from the user and provided a really easy-to-use spam blocker interface. The options presented to the user are kept to a bare minimum as illustrated above.
The two simple buttons of Approve and Block are a breeze to use. This is ideal for the home user.
There is a secondary configuration screen where you can configure CA Anti-Spam's ability to send challenge requests to unknown senders. This basically sends a quick message asking the sender to validate themselves to you. This all happens seamlessly in the background.
Customer Support
Computer Associates provides online tutorials, FAQs, support Forums, technical support and customer care via their website.
Product Awards
CA Anti-Spam 2007 has won many accolades including PC Magazine's Editors' Choice Award for three years consecutively (2003-2005).
Supported Platforms
Works with POP3 and MAPI email accounts, including AOL, paid MSN/Hotmail Premier and paid Yahoo Plus.
Works with Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express.
System Requirement
Windows 98SE, Me, 2000 or XP
POP3 or MAPI email accounts
128MB RAM
25MB Hard disk space
300Mhz or higher Pentium-compatible CPU
Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher
Conclusion
If you don't currently have a spam blocker installed and are in the market for an Outlook or Outlook Express solution, you should get CA Anti-Spam 2007. This is gushing praise for the software, but I just love it when a company fills a need with the simplest, most efficient solution. CA Anti-Spam 2007 has done this really, really well.
The software comes with a Free 30 day trial, plus a 30 day Money Back Guarantee. The price is $29.99.