Information Technology Services (ITS) uses spam detection software in an effort to manage unwanted email messages. ITS recommends that a spam detection score as low as "7" will filter out unwanted messages with a high degree of accuracy. In an average month, the University receives over one million email messages which receive a spam score of 20 or higher. These messages are almost certainly spam, and the volume of unwanted messages continues to grow. Spam is a nuisance to users and places a heavy burden on the University network.

ITS has worked with representatives from all divisions, colleges and schools to establish a safe level at which to delete unwanted email messages. The consensus of this group was that a message scored at 20 or higher was almost certainly spam, and could be deleted rather than delivered. ITS has adopted this practice to better utilize our network and mail server resources. All users can still set spam detection scores to further reduce the delivery of unwanted messages to their individual email accounts. If you have questions or comments regarding this practice, please contact the ITS HelpDesk (ihelp@albany.edu).