Anti-spam appliances explained

Anti-spam appliances are software or hardware devices integrated with on-board software that implement e-mail spam filtering^[1] and/or anti-spam for instant messaging (also called "spim") and are deployed at the gateway or in front of the mail server. They are normally driven by an operating system optimized for spam filtering. Anti-spam appliances have existed in wide area networks and home networks since the early 2000s. ^{[2] [3]}

The anti-spam appliances that are found in wide area networks are usually built from server hardware and are generally used by companies, corporations, ISPs, and universities,^{[4] [5]} and anti-spam appliances that are found in home networks are usually built from embedded hardware and are generally used by consumers. Anti-spam technology companies that have produced anti-spam appliances for wide area networks and/or home networks include, but are not limited to Proofpoint, IronPort, Barracuda Networks, D-Link, Spam Cube, Netgear and TrustEli. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

Some main reasons why hardware anti-spam appliances may be selected instead of software could include, the customer's preference to buy hardware rather than software due to its ease of installation, the appliance can manage itself after it is installed, and anti-spam appliances commonly provide other security features such as anti-virus protection. ^[9]

Notes and References

1. Web site: spam filter (redirected from Anti-spam). The Free Dictionary. Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group. 3 September 2016.
2. Web site: Barracuda Networks launches antispam appliance line . Todd R. Weiss, Computerworld . 2003-10-13.
3. Web site: A Spam Fighter Is Overzealous but Can Learn . David Pogue, the New York Times . 2006-03-30.
4. Web site: IronPort C600 Email Security Appliance for Large Enterprises and ISPs . IronPort Systems Inc, Sunnyvale CA . https://web.archive.org/web/20060315160054/http://www.ironport.com/pdf/ironport_C600_datasheet.pdf . 2006-03-15. 2006-03-15 .
5. Web site: E-mail and Anti-Spam - Marking Potential Spam . University of Colorado Boulder.
6. Web site: Test Center guide: Mail security appliances . Logan Harbaugh, InfoWorld . 2008-04-09.
7. Web site: SecureSpot offers protection after problematic setup . Tamara Chuang, The Gadgetress, ocregister.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20061111024521/https://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/money/abox/article_1328235.php . 2006-10-24. 2006-11-11 .
8. Web site: Spam Slayer: Don't Can Spam, Cube It . Tom Spring, PCWorld . https://web.archive.org/web/20200804003104/https://www.pcworld.com/article/125180/article.html . 2006-03-28. 2020-08-04 .
9. Web site: 3 Types of Antispam Software . Doug Lowe, Networking All-in-One For Dummies . 2018-06-28.