Postini - Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started Quick

• How do I login to Postini?
• How do I check my quarantine messages
• How do I change my spam filter settings

Additional Postini Questions

1. Where can I get help about Postini?
2. What are Postini's email services?
3. What type of anti-spam technology does Postini use to filter spam?
4. How does Postini differ from other solutions?
5. What type of anti-virus technology does Postini use to filter viruses?
6. How do Postini services work?
7. Does Postini's processing delay message delivery?
8. How is this process secure? Is there exposure to individual email messages?
9. Is Postini less secure than software or hardware installed behind the firewall?
10. What are the advantages of deploying email security as a web managed service?
11. Does Postini require extensive integration with existing systems?
12. How reliable is Postini's service delivery systems?
13. Do Postini's services provide more or less control than solutions deployed behind a firewall?
14. Our company already uses an anti-virus solution that includes some level of spam protection - would Postini's services be redundant?
15. Can Postini trap all of the spam messages?
16. How much does it cost?
17. I forgot my Postini message center password how do I get another one ?
18. How long are my Postini messages kept on the system?
19. How do I change the number of email messages displayed in the message center?
20. Is it possible to search the email messages under Postini in the message center?
21. Does the Message Center offer POP access?
22. What if I don't want these email services?
23. Will it still work if I change my email service provider?
24. Does the service work when I send mail or only when I receive it?
25. Why do I need to enable cookies when logging into my Message Center?
26. What happens to email I delete from the Message Center?
27. What happens to email that I deliver from the Message Center?
28. Can I bypass spam/virus checking for certain email addresses? Can I block certain email addresses for a specific domain or email address
29. Can I have multiple email addresses that map to a specific email address ( email alias) ?
30. Do the email services make email slower?
31. What operating systems are supported?
32. What browsers are supported?
33. How do I change my Postini password?

 

1. Where can I get help about Postini?
   If you can't find the answer to your question after reading this FAQ please submit your question to support@bayarea.net. Please don't submit your questions directly to Postini since they will not be able to assist you. You can also contact our support group via voice at (408) 545-0500.

 

2. What are Postini's email services?
   Postini provides a comprehensive suite of web-managed services for protecting enterprise email systems from spam, viruses, directory harvest attacks and other types of email-borne attacks. Our services also enable administrators to more effectively monitor and manage their email systems, regardless of server vendor type, hardware platform or location.

 

3. What type of anti-spam technology does Postini use to filter spam?
   Postini's anti-spam engine is based on Postini's patent-pending technology that utilizes thousands of heuristics- based expressions designed to check specific parts of every message - from the IP level through the message content. Postini is able to analyze all text and HTML parts of each message.

 

4. How does Postini differ from other solutions?
   In order to thwart reference database methodologies that match incoming messages to "spam profiles" that are based on previously received spam messages, spammers find creative ways to make each spam message look unique. Since Postini's anti-spam engine analyzes the content of each and every message on its individual characteristics -even if it doesn't fit the profile of previous spam messages - we are able to catch more junk email.

 

5. What type of anti-virus technology does Postini use to filter viruses?
   Postini email security services incorporate virus-filtering tools from McAfee Security, a leading virus protection? software company. The anti-virus capabilities deliver the ultimate defense against the ravages of viruses, worms, and other malicious code, before they have a chance to unleash their destructive payloads into your network. Postini supplements core AV engines with additional processing to recognize specific MIME characteristics, message fragments, and more. Postini works closely with McAfee to stay current with the latest virus filtering tools.

 

6. How do Postini services work?
   Through simple DNS modification, all email messages intended for a customer of Bay Area Internet Solutions or a company's mail servers flow through Postini for real-time pre-processing before delivery to an end-users "inbox." If junk mail or virus-infected messages are detected, the messages can be tagged, delivered to an alternate mailbox or directed to a password-protected quarantine area for review and disposition.

 

7. Does Postini's processing delay message delivery?
   Unlike other `store and forward' solutions using standard email server technology; with Postini, messages are processed in real-time - literally within milliseconds - so there is no detectable latency. Postini regularly instruments elapsed time of email flow through the process to ensure we are meeting the performance requirements of our customers.

 

8. How is this process secure? Is there exposure to individual email messages?
   Legitimate messages are not written to disk. Postini's patent-pending email processing technology allows messages to be processed in real-time as the packets flow through the Postini servers. This ensures that Postini does not expose customer data to hackers or potential loss of data. Postini's filters process all email with no direct human contact with mail flow or individual messages. Mail messages are processed within milliseconds and immediately passed through to mail server. In the case of suspicious email, the message can be broken down into sections with a hashed file name and then directed to a secure, private, web-hosted quarantine (Message Center). Password-protected personal message centers are assigned to each email user for reviewing suspicious email. Some customers choose to have a collective message center that is assigned to a designated administrator, or for Postini to `tag and deliver' suspicious messages.

 

9. Is Postini less secure than software or hardware installed behind the firewall?
   No. Starting with our message processing architecture and our network layout and access control, Postini ensures that customer data is safe and secure. Software processes handle messages in real-time; access between machines is tightly regulated; and redundancy across the clusters is deployed to ensure high availability. Postini performs regular vulnerability assessments to ensure that our measures for securing customer data are state of the art.

 

10. What are the advantages of deploying email security as a web managed service?
    Because Postini's protection begins at the place of origin of spam and viruses - the Internet -Postini is able to catch suspicious email before it reaches a company's network. In addition, Postini is uniquely able to intercept Directory Harvest Attacks (DHAs) (used to steal or harvest email addresses), which can only be done in the SMTP connection stream at the Internet gateway. Unlike solutions that are deployed at the network gateway or at the workgroup server, we are able to keep networks and servers free of malicious attacks and bandwidth-hogging junk email.

    In addition, network delivered managed services are typically a more cost-effective solution. Unlike software or appliance solutions, Postini services require virtually no integration and can be deployed in as little as a few days. Once deployed there is minimal maintenance required and updates are made automatically, at no extra charge. Costs are more predictable, since they're based on a consistent monthly fee. Our services pose little financial risk - customers pay a predictable monthly fee and services can be discontinued just a quickly as they re deployed, with practical no disruption.

 

11. Does Postini require extensive integration with existing systems?
    No. Postini provides its services as a managed service, requiring minimal integration. For BayArea.net customers we simply update your DNS records so that the MX records point to Postini for pre-processing before mail is delivered to the destination server. For BayArea.net customers that run their own SMTP server a simple DNS MX record update will be required to enable the Postini services. Mail delivery follows a conventional format that also lends itself to the automatic fail-over that is typical for any MX record.

 

12. How reliable is Postini's service delivery systems?
    With a multiple data center, real-time processing model, Postini provides uptime of 99.99%, including scheduled maintenance. The services remain online, even in the event of scheduled maintenance, power outages, network failures or natural disasters.

 

13. Do Postini's services provide more or less control than solutions deployed behind a firewall?
    Our customers tell us that Postini's email security solution provides them with more control than if they were managing email security themselves, behind the firewall. Postini's administrative tools, recently cited by PC Magazine as the most advanced of any of the corporate anti-spam solutions they have reviewed, provide system administrators with a wide range of capabilities for managing email delivery and monitoring the email security process. The Postini solution features a highly secure web-based administrative console that provides them with information in real-time, 24x7. The console is very easy-to-use and provides great flexibility for system tuning regardless of the customer's current SMTP infrastructure.

 

14. Our company already uses an anti-virus solution that includes some level of spam protection - would Postini's services be redundant?
    While many companies have been able to successfully manage their virus problems using current anti-virus tools, they are finding that issues created by the high volume of spam and SMTP-based attacks they are receiving has become bigger problem. Postini's anti-spam solution provides best-of-breed protection not available in anti- virus suites and can easily be deployed along with existing anti-virus solutions.
    Postini Perimeter Manager includes both spam and virus protection, introducing an added layer of protection and reducing the risks involved with server or desktop-based solutions, by blocking SMTP-based attacks and filtering spam and viruses before they reach the network.

 

15. Can Postini trap all of the spam messages?
    Although Postini is not able to capture 100% of all the spam messages, it is not uncommon to filter about 95% with very little false positive emails. Customers are also able to set the filter levels based on the following email categories:
    
    • Bulk Email
    • Sexually Explicit
    • Get Rich Quick
    • Racially Insensitive
    • Special Offers

     

16. How much does it cost?
    The Postini service is based on the type of account you have and it can be as little as $2 per month. For more information please send an email to sales@bayarea.net. You can also call us at (408) 545-0500, and we will be delighted to answer any questions.

 

17. I forgot my Postini message center password how do I get another one ?
    Just enter your user id ( your email address) and type any password. Select "Forgot Password" followed by "Submit". Postini will automatically send your email address a new password.

 

18. How long are my Postini messages kept on the system?
    Postini currently holds the messages for about fifteen days.

19. How do I change the number of email messages displayed in the message center?
    The currently release does not allow you to specify the number of email messages to display in one screen. However, Postini is currently working on a new version that will allow you to perform this task.

 

20. Is it possible to search the email messages under Postini in the message center?
    The currently release does not allow you to search the messages. However, Postini is currently working on a new version that will allow you to perform this task.

 

21. Does the Message Center offer POP access?
    No, at this time the only way to enter the message is via a web browser.

 

22. What if I don't want these email services?
    This service is user-configurable, allowing you to simply turn off one or all email services. Typically, email providers will determine default settings for their users. If those setting are too intrusive or not effective enough, you are welcome to adjust them at any time. If you no longer want to use the Postini service you can cancel anytime.

 

23. Will it still work if I change my email service provider?
    No, this service is unique to your email address and the partnership between Bay Area Internet Solutions and Postini.

 

24. Does the service work when I send mail or only when I receive it? The current email applications only work on inbound email.

 

25. Why do I need to enable cookies when logging into my Message Center?
    The purpose of cookies is to identify you as a unique user and prepare web pages that reflect your personalized applications. When you enter the Message Center using cookies, the experience is customized-your application settings, your quarantined email. Some information, such as your login email address, is packaged into a cookie and sent to your web browser which stores it for later use; for example, the next time you log in, your browser will send the cookie so that only your password is required-saving you time. We do not track personal information in its cookies or request any personal information through the Message Center-cookies are simply used to ensure you are in control of your email.

 

26. What happens to email I delete from the Message Center?
    Once email has been deleted from the Message Center it is placed in the Removed Folder. Messages will be permanently deleted from the Removed Folder on a periodic basis or when the "Empty Trash" button is clicked. Messages in the removed folder are still readable and can be delivered, but once it is deleted from the system you will no longer be able to retrieve the message.

 

27. What happens to email that I deliver from the Message Center?
    When you deliver email from the Message Center, it is forwarded directly and immediately to your inbox. A copy is also placed in the Delivered Folder. Messages are permanently deleted from the Delivered Folder on a periodic basis.

 

28. Can I bypass spam/virus checking for certain email addresses? Can I block certain email addresses for a specific domain or email address
    Yes, you can bypass the checking at the email or domain name level. In the message center click on "Junk Email Settings" in the top left, and enter the email address or domain name in the "Approve Senders".
    You can block all of the email for a specific email address or domain name. In the message center click on "Junk Email Settings" on the top left, and enter the address or domain name in the "Blocked Senders".

 

29. Can I have multiple email addresses that map to a specific email address ( email alias) ?
    If you have multiple email addresses, those addresses can be mapped to a single Message Center email address as long as they are part of the same domain name. This is a great way to combine and manage your email settings into one account. In the message center click on "Account Settings" in the top right hand side, and select "Alternate Addresses". Make sure the alias you are trying to add is already defined and operational since an email message will be sent with instructions on how to complete the process.

 

30. Do the email services make email slower?
    There is no noticeable latency especially since email delivery does not typically occur in real-time. We use enterprise-class servers that are capable of processing millions of messages per day-each message within milliseconds.

 

31. What operating systems are supported?
    Mac, Windows 95 through XP and Unix (Solaris and Linux).

 

32. What browsers are supported?
    Version 4 (v4) and above of Netscape and Internet Explorer.

 

33. How do I change my Postini password?
    Click "Account Settings" on the top right hand side in the message center, and select "Set or change your Password".

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