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LexiConn – November 2006 Newsletter
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In this month’s issue:
* Spam Protection Upgraded
* Domain Transfer Special Reminder
* Featured Client – constructiontoys.com
* WordPress upgraded to version 2.0.5

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Spam Protection Upgraded…

Over the past two to three months, the level of spam being sent globally has increased by more than 50%. Spammers are also using new techniques to get around traditional spam filtering. They are now using images that are distorted to get around text filters and simple Optical Character Recognition(OCR) programs. Spammers are also using legitimate servers to bounce spam messages to their intended recipients to get around traditional IP blocking lists (as well as using personal computers around the world that have been compromised, known as “zombie computers”, to send spam directly).

LexiConn has been hard at work testing and optimizing a new advanced OCR filtering system to catch these latest spams. It uses a 4 pass OCR filter to extract the text from the images, and then runs this text against spam word lists to determine if the image embedded in the email is spam. Additionally, the spam software has been upgraded to the latest version and rules to keep up with the changing face of spam.

All shared servers have been upgraded to use this new spam system. Managed dedicated server owners should contact us to have their server upgraded to the latest version.

Along with spam protection, LexiConn also employs an active virus protection system that is updated each hour with the latest virus definitions. Each week new spam rules are put in place as new methods and types of spam emerge. Network wide LexiConn uses one global black list, spamhaus.org, which is responsible for blocking over 2 million spam emails daily before even reaching any of the LexiConn servers. This blacklist is very conservative, and only blocks the most egregious spammers.

Spam and Virus protection may be added to any shared hosting account for only $5 per month, and can cover every POP box on the account (It only filters locally delivered email, not email forwarded to offsite addresses such as Yahoo or AOL). The system is easy to use, and allows you to decide how conservative or aggressive you want the filtering to be. You can setup white lists and black lists to allow and block certain addresses.

The system works by assigning small point values to each email based on a few thousand rules it runs, checking real-time black lists, and even utilizing a Bayesian learning system that actively learns from the spam and good email you receive. If the point total exceeds your defined level (5 to 9 typically), it labels the email as spam. You then have the option of simply putting special text in the subject (i.e. **SPAM** ) or deleting the spam before it is delivered to your POP box.

If you would like to add spam and virus protection to your account, simply fill out the request form at:
https://lexiconn.com/lexiconn/secure/add_spam.html

Software packages utilized for spam and virus protection:
http://www.spamassassin.org – heavily customized spam protection
http://www.clamav.net – anti-virus protection
gocr, ocrad, netpbm, gifsicle, FuzzyOCR – OCR software

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Domain Transfer Special Reminder…

For those of you who may have missed last month’s newsletter, we wanted to remind you of our domain transfer special that is in effect until the end of this month. LexiConn is pleased to announce a special rate on all domain transfers to our registry from now through November 30, 2006. All transfer orders placed in this time period will receive a renewal rate of $12.50, which is a 50% savings off of our normal rate! To take advantage of this special offer, simply initiate the transfer process at:

http://domains.lexiconn.com/transfer_your_domain.html

Transferring your domain adds a year to your current expiration date, and does not interfere with your website’s functionality in any way. Aside from this special rate, advantages to switching to our registry include an easy to use web interface, knowing that LexiConn will make sure you are aware of when your domain expires, and unmatched customer service and support. Detailed information regarding the transfer process can be found in our knowledgebase at:

http://support.lexiconn.com/kb/index.php?ToDo=browse&catId=48

You will be billed at our normal rate of $25 per year (or $20 per year for renewals of 5 or more years) for all subsequent years, which represents a significant savings over various other registrars.

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Featured Client – constructiontoys.com…

This month’s featured client is constructiontoys.com. The Construction Site was opened in Waltham, Massachusetts nine years ago, specializing in blocks and building toys. The products range from basic wooden blocks to popular systems like LEGO and K’NEX. Many unique building toys are imported from Europe and elsewhere. Shortly after opening, they realized the need to have a web-based store to handle the requests they were receiving for their toys, and hence opened their web store at http://www.constructiontoys.com.

In the years that followed, they have expanded their product offerings to wooden trains at The Rail Yard (woodenrailway.com), and toys and gifts with fun designs at Aisle 9 (aisle9.com). This past summer, they added a fourth concept with ZauberZimmer (zauberzimmer.com) which sells puppets, play sets and other toys for pretend play.

All four different URLs for the four concepts link to the same shopping cart.

http://www.constructiontoys.com/

For more detailed information on this month’s featured client, please go to:

http://www.lexiconn.com/clients/featured.html

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WordPress Upgraded to version 2.0.5…

WordPress, the easy to use and install blog software system that can be added to any account via the Account Manager, has been updated to the latest version, 2.0.5. The new version is a bug fix and security release.

If you have a previous version of WordPress installed, and would like to upgrade to the latest version, please contact us for upgrade details.