Stop Spam! The GoodbyeSpam Frequently Asked Questions

What is GoodbyeSpam?

GoodbyeSpam is revolutionary software that completely eliminates annoying spam - unclogging your mailbox and keeping sexually explicit content away from kids.

How does it work?

Spam or UCE (Unsolicited Commercial Email) is essentially email from people or organizations with whom you don't have a relationship, attempted to sell you something. While spamming is typically automated, not all computer generated email is spam (think about email newsletters and shipping confirmations from merchants).

GoodbyeSpam employs a unique arsenal of lists, tests, and techniques to ensure that spam doesn't get through while (and this is just as important) legitimate email can. And, all with minimum effort on your part.

When GoodbyeSpam tests a message, it checks your personal Approved and Blocked lists of Senders (somebody@somewhere.com), Domains (somewhere.com), and Master-Domains (spammers sometimes use sub-Domains like 123.somewhere.com and ABC.somewhere.com to fool spam filters but with GoodbyeSpam you can Block everything from somewhere.com).

It checks your lists in the above order and checks your Approved list before your Blocked. This allows you to Approve an individual while Blocking everyone else in that Domain (perhaps you have a friend who works for a company that sends spam) or Block certain people while Approving everyone else in Domain (perhaps people who send you dumb jokes at work).

If there wasn't a match in any of those lists, GoodbyeSpam checks your Approved and Blocked Text lists. First it checks the message Header (information about the message not typically visible when reading the message), then the Subject line, and finally the Body of the message.

GoodbyeSpam stops searching after finding the first match. If it was a Approved list, the message is left in your inbox. Or, if it a Blocked list, the message is deleted from your inbox and added to your GoodbyeSpam Trash.

If a match wasn't found, GoodbyeSpam deletes the message from your inbox and adds it to your GoodbyeSpam Quarantine. Then, it sends a Verification Email (you can customize the text) to the Sender which allows them to show that the message wasn't spam. If your Security Level is set at Low (recommended) the email simply asks them to click on a link (while this can be done either by a person or a computer, spammers generally use fake return addresses, so they never receive the email). When the link is activated, their message is released from Quarantine and they are added to your Approved Senders list so that future messages from them will get right through.

For additional security (but also more hassle for people emailing you the first time), you can increase your Security Level to High. Then, the Verification Email gives the Sender your Name (the one you listed in your mailbox) and asks them for your email address. While a person or company can easily provide this information, either personally or computer to computer, the few spammers who receive the email (those with real return addresses) have no of knowing which one of the millions of email addresses in their list corresponds to "John Smith" or "The Profitable Co."

Which computing platforms does it support?

GoodbyeSpam runs on the Internet rather than on your computer so it works with any platform: PC, Mac, Linux, even handheld computers (PDA's) and Internet-enabled cell phones.

What types of email accounts does GoodbyeSpam work with?

GoodbyeSpam works virtually all email accounts including POP3 (used with Outlook, etc.), Hotmail, IMAP, Juno, MSN, and Yahoo.

Can I import my email addresses from my email program?

Yes, GoodbyeSpam can import your email addresses (or Contact List) from Hotmail, Juno, MSN, Outlook, or Yahoo. You can also import email addresses from a text file. Click in the menu and select Import Email Addresses.

Does GoodbyeSpam support attachments?

Yes.

Does GoodbyeSpam integrate with email programs like Outlook?

Yes, you can easily configure your POP3 or IMAP email program (such as Outlook) to run GoodbyeSpam automatically whenever it retrieves your mail. Click here for instructions on setting this up.

How often does GoodbyeSpam check my mailbox?

You can check your mailbox(es) as often as you wish by click Check Mailbox. Also, if you use a POP3 or IMAP program like Outlook, you can have it run GoodbyeSpam every time it retrieves your mail.

As a backup, whenever your computer is connected to the Internet and has a browser window open to with GoodbyeSpam's Home page (not the log in page), it will check your mailbox every hour.

Finally, GoodbyeSpam makes sure your mailbox is checked at least once a day even if your computer isn't on.

If you use web-based email (like Hotmail, and Yahoo) or do not have your POP3 or IMAP program automatically run GoodbyeSpam (see above) you should always have GoodbyeSpam check your mailbox immediately before retrieving your email to catch any spam that has arrived since it last checked.

Is there any disadvantage to setting my Security Level to "High"?

While the High setting is tougher on spammers, it's also tougher on real people trying to send you mail.

How much does GoodbyeSpam cost?

GoodbyeSpam costs only $2.99 per month to filter 1 mailbox (email address). You can add additional mailboxes (email addresses) for just $1.00 each per month. Subscription are charged quarterly.

How do I get software updates, and is there a charge?

Since GoodbyeSpam resides on the Internet rather than on your computer, updates, enhancements, and new features become available instantly. There's nothing to download or install. And, the costs are included in your subscription.

I subscribed after my free trial ended and was charged for that month. Don't I get a free month?

We offer a free trial not 13 months for the price of 12 (as you'd receive if your paid subscription began after the trial period). Your subscription begins when you create your account.

A free 30 day trial allows you to try GoodbyeSpam for 30 days without any obligation to pay, so it's risk free. Its similar to trial magazine subscriptions where you can write "cancel" on the bill and owe nothing or pay and continue to receive it.

To do it any other way would be unfair to users who become paid members before their trial period is over.

I need to change my credit card. How can I do so?

Click in the menu then click the link by Change Credit Card.

How do I add another email address to my GoodbyeSpam account?

Click in the menu then .

I've changed the password for my email account. How do I change it in GoodbyeSpam?

To change any of the settings for a mailbox click in the menu then click on the mailbox you wish to edit.

How do I delete my GoodbyeSpam account if I no longer want it?

Click in the menu and delete your account.

NOTE: This is PERMANENT. Your account cannot be restored.

How do I check my POP3 or IMAP mail (with a mail program like Outlook)?

If you use a mail program (such as Outlook) you should configure it to run GoodbyeSpam automatically each time it retrieves your mail.

To configure Outlook 2002, select Tools, E-mail Accounts, View or change existing e-mail accounts, highlight your account and click Change. Change your User Name to your complete email address (like "joe@smith.com") and your Incoming mail server to "goodbyespam.com". And, make sure the Port is set to "110" (it usually is already).

Click Test Account Settings. If the test is successful, click Next, Finish. Now, anytime you check your email via that email program only it will retrieve only Approved messages.

Look for similar settings if you use another version of Outlook or another POP3 or IMAP client.

How do I check my web-based (such as MSN, Juno, or Yahoo) mail?

What do you do with the email in my mailbox?

GoodbyeSpam stops at the first positive result. If the message is:

What is "Quarantine?"

Quarantine is a secure area on GoodbyeSpam's server where possible spam is held. Although some spam products store such messages on your computer, GoodbyeSpam intercepts them before they ever get to your computer. This is an extra level of safety again virus and worm-infected spam.

Can I see what's in my Quarantine and un-quarantine email?

Sure, click Check Mailbox then click on either New Quarantined Email to manage and view newly quarantined messages or Old Quarantined Email to manage and view messages you've already seen listed.

What is a "Verification Email?"

If GoodbyeSpam can neither Block nor Approve an email (based on your Lists) it Quarantines it and sends a Verification Email to the Sender. Depending upon the Security Level you selected, GoodbyeSpam will ask them to perform a function or supply information. By doing so, they can release their original message from Quarantine and add themselves to your Approved Senders List.

Can I customize the text of the Verification Emails?

Absolutely. In fact, you can create different texts for each of your Mailboxes. To do so, click in the menu then edit your Mailbox.

I don't want Verification Emails sent. Do I have a choice?

Yes, it's your choice. You can even tell GoodbyeSpam to send Verification Emails for certain Mailboxes but not for others. To turn them off, click , select a Mailbox (if you have more than one), and uncheck the box for Request Verification.

Can I see what's in my Trash and Approve it?

Yes, but only for 24 hours. After that, it's deleted. Click on Trash to do so.

What about email from mailing lists (listserves)?

No problem. If the Sender is always the same (like list@importantlist.com) simply add that email address to your Approved Senders list.

Or, if the Sender may be different each time (such as the individual poster's email address) find something in the message Header that's unique to that List (such as the List Name or an email address that postings are cc'd to). Then, add that text to your Approved Text Headers list.

When a message is Approved based on its text, GoodbyeSpam adds the Sender to your Approved Senders list. If you do NOT want it to do so, add *NO SENDER* after the text in your Approved Text list (like "List Name *NO SENDER*").

What lists does GoodbyeSpam maintain for me?

GoodbyeSpam maintains Blocked and Approved lists of Senders, Domains, Master-Domains, Header Text, Subject Text, and Body Text.

How do I manage my lists?

Click the button in the menu and select the list. You can add to most lists by clicking towards the top of the List screen.

Do changes to my lists affect Quarantined messages or just new ones?

Whenever you add to or delete from any of your lists, GoodbyeSpam checks all your Quarantined messages against those changes and Blocks or Approves them accordingly.

What happens if a Sender is on both my Approved and Blocked lists?

That can't happen. When you Approve a Sender (or Domain or Master-Domain) GoodbyeSpam automatically removes them from your Blocked list (if they're on it), and vice versa.

How about if I Approve a Sender but Block their Domain?

The Sender's mail will get through. Similarly, if you Block a Sender but Approve their Domain, mail from that Sender won't get through but mail from everyone else in that Domain will. See the question "What do you do with the email in my mailbox" for the order in which GoodbyeSpam applies its tests.

Can I Block someone without logging into GoodbyeSpam?

Yes, you can Block a Sender by forwarding their email to block@GoodbyeSpam.com. The email address you're sending from MUST be one you have registered in GoodbyeSpam.

What is an Email-Block Password, and do I need one?

You can Block someone by sending an email to GoodbyeSpam (see question above for details). And, it's possible for someone to forge your email address and fake a Blocking email.

You can prevent this by setting an Email-Block Password (click ). In reality, however, there's little incentive for someone to fake such an email because it can only be used to Block (not Approve) people. That's why the Password is optional. If you leave it blank, no Password is required.

Who should I contact if I'm having a problem with GoodbyeSpam?

Please email support@GoodbyeSpam.com and provide detailed information about the problem. Or, you can call 949-481-1190 Monday-Saturday, from 9-5 PT.

I don't like giving out my email login name and password. Do you really need it?

You're right to be cautious and we only request information we absolutely need (that's why we don't ask for your home address or phone number). However, spam filters work by opening your mailbox and deleting the spam. And, there's no way to do that without your user name and password.

What is your privacy policy?

Our privacy policy is simple: We do not give or sell any information to anyone, period.

I'm using GoodbyeSpam but still getting spam. Why?

Email arrives in your mailbox all the time. If you're using web-based email, such as Yahoo, and want to stop 100% of the spam, you should click GoodbyeSpam's Check Mailbox button immediately before retrieving your email.

Or, GoodbyeSpam can check your mailbox for you, periodically, even when it's not running (click ) which can get up to about 95% of the spam.

If you're using POP3 or IMAP mail, you should set your email program to run GoodbyeSpam each time it retrieves your mail (see question above for instructions).

What do the and symbols mean?

The symbol represents a warning or other information you should take note of.

You can click on the symbol to get help in that specific area.

How do I make GoodbyeSpam my Home Page?

Set your browser's Home Page to one of the links below:
(For Internet Explorer, pull down the Tools menu and select Internet Options).

     To log in automatically:
https://www.goodbyespam.com/main.html?e=EMAIL&p=PASSWORD
(replace EMAIL and PASSWORD with your email address and password)

How do I add GoodbyeSpam to my list of Favorites?

Right-click on a link below and select Add to Favorites.

     To log in automatically, right-click: GoodbyeSpam

     Or, to log in manually, right-click: GoodbyeSpam

I turned off Tips. How do I turn them back on again?

Click in the menu then change Show Tips to "Yes".