SpamEater Pro Version 4.0 is good spam blocker that filters spam, blocks e-mail viruses and phishing attacks, and automatically protects your inbox from online threats.

How it Works: When you indicate to SpamEater Pro Version 4.0 the location of your ISP's mail server and enter your login credentials, SpamEater Pro Version 4.0 will connect with the server, either on a timed basis, or manually as you desire, and check the messages on the server for spam. The software will remove any spam found and if so configured, will archive it locally.

There are a number of fully configurable checks that are performed on the messages. These range from checks to see if the message is from one of your defined Approved Senders, a blocked sender, from a blocked country code, checking to see if the server that delivered the message is in one of any number of Internet blacklist databases, server authorization checks, to a virtually unlimited number of filter rules. Users can create their own filter rules as well.

If a message is determined to be spam, or fails any of the defined checks, it can be silently deleted from the server, bounced back to the sender, archived locally and deleted from the server, and/or cut-and-pasted to SpamCop Web forms to initiate a complaint to the sender's and advertiser's ISPs.

User Interface: The SpamEater Pro Version 4.0 main interface is straightforward and uncomplicated. The new version has a familiar-looking Windows XP-style interface. From the main interface you can initiate all product functions. It’s fairly easy to understand, although sorting and viewing are not laid out optimally. Most unusually for a software product, the manufacturer of SpamEater Pro Version 4.0 does not make it easy for you to purchase the product once you have downloaded the trial version. We were not able to purchase the product from within the application and had to go to the manufacturer’s site. The link provided in the Help system was out of date.

Value: A one-user license for SpamEater Pro Version 4.0 is $24.95. Upgrades are $14.95 each. A companion CD is available in a paper envelope for $12.50; in a clamshell case for $14.00 or in a jewel case for $17.50.

Integrated Support Options: Support consists of a very good Help system that is included with the product, an online knowledge base, and flash tutorials.

Top Features

• Eight filtering categories which can be tweaked for user preferences.
• Product works separately from e-mail client, thus detects spam before it reaches your inbox.
• Address book import capability for whitelisting.
• SpamEater Pro Version 4.0 works with AOL and Yahoo Web-based e-mail accounts if you have Web2Pop or IzyMail.
• 30-day free trial.
• Excellent filtering.

Pros

• Enables you to set your filtering rules to watch for specific content and select how you want the message to be handled.
• Blacklisting and whitelisting are convenient.
• The software checks multiple blacklists.
• Notifies you of waiting mail with configurable alerts.
• Messages deleted accidently can be restored easily.

Cons

• You must keep you e-mail client closed for the product to work efficiently.
• Built-in filters and list comparisons are not as precise as Bayesian filtering and other types of artificial intelligence.
• Limited customer support; no phone support available.
• SpamEater Pro Version 4.0 supports POP accounts only
• Default filters miss some spam and flag wanted mail.
• SpamEater Pro Version 4.0 lacks statistical analysis tools.
• Slower than comparable products.

Installation: Installation is straightforward, easy and fast. The settings are easy to configure with the New User wizard.

System Requirements: SpamEater Pro Version 4.0 supports Windows NT, 2000, XP Vista, and POP. SpamEater Pro Version 4.0 will not work with Juno, MSN, or AOL. You can use SpamEater with your web based email service (such as Hotmail.com) with the use of additional software such as Web2Pop or IzyMail.

Phishing Protection: SpamEater Pro Version 4.0 provides protection against phishing attacks.

Supported Platforms: SpamEater Pro Version 4.0 supports most ISPs with support for POP3 and SMTP protocols as well as SSL/TLS secured POP3S and SSMTP. It is compatible with most e-mail client software programs.

Customer Support: SpamEater Pro Version 4.0 provides e-mail support and an online knowledge base. There is a good Help system with the product. The Help system provides links to flash tutorials, but these were unavailable when we tested the product.