SpamSieve 2.7

If you're looking for the best Mac-based anti-spam solution, look no further than C-Command's SpamSieve 2.7.4. The program's filtering is highly accurate, it's relatively simple to install, and it's amazingly easy to use, particularly with Apple Mail.

SpamSieve works with a number of mail programs, including Mail ( Macworld rated 4 out of 5 mice ), Microsoft Entourage ( Macworld rated 4 out of 5 mice ), Qualcomm's Eudora, Gyaz Square's GyazMail ( Macworld rated 3.5 out of 5 mice ), Bare Bones Software's Mailsmith ( Macworld rated 4 out of 5 mice ), Mozilla's Thunderbird ( Macworld rated 4 out of 5 mice ), and CTM Development's PowerMail ( Macworld rated 2.5 out of 5 mice ).

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SpamSieve's setup isn't automatic, but it isn't overly complicated, either. Regardless of which mail program you're using, you first launch the SpamSieve application. Once the program is running, you can install either a plug-in (Mail, Eudora, Thunderbird) or AppleScripts (Entourage) directly from the SpamSieve menu. (If you're using one of the other supported programs, installation instructions are found in SpamSieve's manual.) SpamSieve works with both POP and IMAP accounts, and doesn't require you to customize your account settings, unlike some of the other anti-spam tools.

After installing the plug-in, you'll want to refer to the manual to find out what's required to customize your mail client. In Mail, you need to create one simple rule, and disable the built-in Junk mail filtering. In Entourage, you need to create two rules; the other supported clients have varying setup requirements. The manual does a good job of walking you through the setup process, and screenshots make it easy to follow the instructions.

After setup is complete, you should get started by training SpamSieve with an assortment of both spam and non-spam (ham) messages. You train the program by selecting a number of messages and then using an entry in the Message menu (Mail) or an AppleScript menu (Entourage) to train those messages as spam or ham (a general reference to valid e-mail). SpamSieve suggests using a ratio of 65 percent spam to 35 percent ham for best results. Because you can train SpamSieve en masse with existing messages, the program can do an excellent job of filtering almost from the minute you install it.

SpamSieve uses a combination of methods to filter junk mail. A Bayesian filter analyzes incoming messages to determine whether they're spam or ham. There's also a blacklist (messages that are deemed junk automatically; SpamSieve calls it a blocklist) and a whitelist (messages that are deemed good automatically), and you can add and remove entries from these two lists if you wish. Senders in your Address Book, as well as those on messages you don't mark as spam, are automatically placed on the whitelist.