AT&T WorldNet is attempting to
stem the flow of unsolicited bulk e-mail or “spam” sent to its subscribers
through Brightmail Inc. anti-spam
technology.
AT&T (T)
Tuesday released its free anti-spam e-mail screening programming, dubbed
AT&T E-Mail Screener, to filter out spam reaching members’ mailboxes.
Beta tests completed by 350 AT&T WorldNet subscribers reported unsolictied
e-mails were reduced by as much as 80 percent.
Ed Plaskon, AT&T WorldNet Service product director, said the move against
spam increases subscriber satisfaction and decreases technical support costs.
“We’re delighted with the initial results from our beta club members,”
Plaskon said. “Now it’s time for all our members to experience the benefits.”
Plaskon said that spam is an industry-wide problem plaguing Internet
service providers nationwide.
“Concern over spam, and how to control it, is also being examined by
regulators and law enforcement officials,” Plaskon said.
AT&T recently assisted the Los Angeles district attorney’s office in its
efforts to bring charges against four spammers arrested for using
unsolicited e-mail to defraud consumers.
H. Gordon Diamond, AT&T spokesperon, said on an average day approximately 5
to 10 million messages travel over the WorldNet Services network. AT&T
estimates that between 5 and 15 percent of its e-mail traffic could be
considered “unsolicited.”
Brightmail estimates that ISPs spend $7 million annually each year per 1
million users in the fight against spam. AT&T WorldNet supports Internet
access for more than 1.8 million subscribers making the move to ban spam a
$14 million venture for the national ISP.
AT&T’s anti-spam service relies on Brightmail’s network of more than 35
million e-mail addresses that work to detect newly launched spam attacks
and deliver it for real-time analysis to its logistics center.
Anti-spam specialists at the Brightmail facilities evaluate spam notices an
issue updated rules that sideline the spam from reaching AT&T WorldNet
subscribers.