In the summer of 2006 it was reported that 66% of all email was SPAM. It was also predicted that by the end of 2006 over 90% of all email would be SPAM. In today’s SPAM laden email climate there are many reasons why emails do not connect. Outgoing email servers may scan outbound messages for viruses before sending and delete them if any virus is found. Incoming email servers also scan incoming messages and delete and emails that are suspect.
Most web/email servers today also scan all incoming email to determine if it is, or contains, SPAM. When SPAM is found the email may be deleted without notice to the sender or intended receiver. This is different from the Incoming SPAM email boxes or Junk email boxes that some services provide. Web servers contain what is called a black list containing domain names, email addresses and IP addresses that are either known or suspect SPAM sources. These black lists are continuously updated adding new addresses daily and potentially removing those that may be cleared of submission. Unfortunately there is not one master SPAM list but many and some large providers of email may have their own proprietary lists. It is often difficult to even find out if your email, domain or IP has been black listed without contacting each and every email provider directly. If you find that you have a problem with a specific email provider (e.g. Comcast or AOL) you can try to contact them and inquire if you have been black listed but don’t get your hopes up, you may find their tech support to be less than helpful with your problem.
Some email providers may not accept incoming email that has not been authenticated by the originating outgoing email server. SPAMMERS can Spoof your email account! They may not have direct access to your account but they are able to make it appear, at least to the novice, that email is being sent/received from your email address.
Today it is critical that if an important or urgent email is sent or anticipated that both parties (sender and receiver if aware) follow up with an alternate method of communication when within an expected period of time your message is not acknowledged.
Emails with attachments are particularly susceptible to SPAM/Virus filters. If an email trips a SPAM/Virus filter and it can be automatically deleted and the sender may not be notified that their SPAM/Virus email has been detected and deleted. If the sender does not follow up and the receiver was not awaiting the message no one is the wiser that the email has failed.
This is a lot of information to digest, the problem is complex and unfortunately in many cases there is no solution. If you know that you have a problem with a specific provider such as AOL, Comcast or other large supplier you can call their tech support and inquire as to why your emails are not being received/delivered to their clients. Most email providers don’t speak or write much of anything about SPAM as it is a battle they/we are all losing.
