Free Software: POPFile

Spam can be an annoyance for some and an absolute nightmare for others.  If your system is not protected with the latest in anti-virus software, a simple spam message can leave you staggering with infections from viruses, worms and spyware.  More recent consequences of spam include the scary probability of being victimized by identity theft. 

Filters provided by ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and services like Gmail do a decent job at limiting spam, but most of the times this simply isn't enough.  Those using POP email accounts that remain visible on the web are even more vulnerable to spam.  Even with the presence of server-side software, a spammer can easily learn the program's filtering behavior and bypass the system with no problem.  This may even be the case with email domains that have been previously blacklisted. 

Product Overview

When your preferred mail client is no longer enough to keep the spammers out, it's time to upgrade to a more reliable solution.  POPFile is a quality email application that makes managing your mail simple while warding off numerous attacks by busy spammers.  This program is absolutely free and it's open-source nature allows it to be used with virtually any POP client on the market. 

POPFile has been around for years and continues to improve on the methods it uses to fight spam.  Unlike many filters that wrongfully forward genuine mail to a quarantine folder, POPFile does a solid job at distinguishing important messages from spam.  This program saves you time and reduces your level of frustration by properly filtering an estimated 90 percent of all incoming messages.

POPFile has proven to be a trustworthy application that does a fine job at fighting spam, keeping out email-born infections found in attachments and deceptive phishing schemes. This software will help restore order to your life by cutting the time it usually takes to sift through that pile of unsolicited junk mail. 

While POPFile is an affordable solution to the epidemic of spam, this software does have a few drawbacks, the biggest one being the user interface. Novice users may have a difficult time navigating through the program's controls and making configurations.  There is no simple way to mark messages as spam.  Users must open the message on a web page and manually mark it, a process that can easily become annoying over time.  POPFile also lacks training and support.  Beginners may have to endure a few intense sessions before fully grasping the concept of this software.   

On the other hand, POPFile supports popular mail clients such as Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express.  When integrated with these applications, the POPFile control panel is one click away without having to operate through a web browser.

Conclusion: Comprehensive Protection against Spam    

There are literally hundreds of anti-spam filters on the market to keep your inbox clear of unsolicited messages.  When it comes to free software, POPFile is one of the most thorough solutions available.  While the program is somewhat complex, after learning the ins and outs you are sure to enjoy a life that consists of a lot less spam. 

Identity theft comes in many forms.

A person’s identity can be 'borrowed' for the purpose of creating fictional credit cards or a person’s entire identity can be usurped to the point where they can have difficulty proving that they really are who they claim to be.

Up to 18% of identity theft victims take as long as four years to realize that their identity has been stolen.

There are many ways to protect your personal identity and many steps you can take to prevent your identity from being stolen:

*Never give out unnecessary personal information
*Never provide bank details or social security numbers over the Internet
*Always remain aware of who is standing behind you when you type in your personal credit codes at ATM machines and at supermarket checkout swipe machines.