Local Internet service provider to block spam

Kiva Networking subscribers no longer need to worry about their children opening up spam e-mail that contains obscene and graphic content. The Internet service provider is now featuring a spam blocker that blocks unwanted e-mails.\nSpam is unsolicited e-mail that usually comes from companies trying to sell products. It is often considered "junk e-mail" because it clutters mailboxes.\nKiva Networking serves residents and businesses throughout Indiana. \nThis new program is expected to block unwanted content by filtering out possible spam e-mails. Headers and text of sent mail are all filtered by the new program. \n"The primary goal is to block out unwanted e-mail that is found annoying and offensive," said President and CEO of Kiva Networking Bruce Myers.\nMyers said the company had many customer issues related to spam and many clients often contacted it asking for more control for blocking unwanted e-mails. \nWhen the initial filtering system was enacted by Kiva to block unwanted e-mails, it wasn't so successful. \n"Some spam bypasses the filters," Myers said.\nClients continued to ask for better control, so Kiva decided to improve the system by blocking more of those unwanted and obscene e-mails. The new spam blocker allows the Kiva Networking user to specify from whom they can receive e-mails. This new "Exclusive E-mail" gives customers better control of the e-mail they receive. The Exclusive E-mail system is designed to "lock someone's e-mail box so a message can't go through unless it is specified in the Whitelist," said Patrick Bohannon, director of technical services for Kiva. \nThe spam blocker service is included in the Kiva Networking Internet service and is available to all clients.\n"It's a value-added feature at no additional charge," Myers said. The second goal of the spam blocker is to allow more parental controls. \n"(This blocker allows parents) to be able to block or control what kinds of e-mail their children receive," Myers said. \nWhen users set up their e-mail services, an option is now given to create a Whitelist. This Whitelist contains all the senders the user has authorized to send e-mail. \n"(The) Whitelist is like an address book that allows the e-mail address you want to send you e-mail. (Then,) the Exclusive E-mail allows e-mail into your mailbox that you have authorized on the Whitelist," said Kelli Hartman, director of client services for Kiva Networking. \nThis new system may not be what corporations and businesses are looking for, however, it is a boon for residential subscribers. It may be difficult for businesses because they receive e-mails from a myriad of people inquiring about the company. \n"(This is) not a solution for everyone because businesses need contact from many people," Hartman said. \nThough residential use is the exclusive use of the new spam blocker, many customers are already excited about this new feature that gives them more control of what ends up in their inbox. \n-- Contact staff writer Andrea Opperman at acopperm@indiana.edu.