What is the AT&T MailGuard Service?
AT&T MailGuard Service is an email service feature that is automatically applied to all emails that passes through the AT&T mail server. There are two services provided by AT&T MailGuard Service:
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Is there a charge for the service?
No. AT&T MailGuard Service is absolutely free!
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What is the AT&T MailGuard Anti-Spam Service?
AT&T MailGuard Anti-Spam service is a feature of AT&T's email service that eliminates spam email messages before they reach your Inbox.
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How does the AT&T MailGuard Anti-Spam Service identify spam?
MailGuard Anti-Spam Service is located within the AT&T network and uses filters to identify spam. Although filtering spam messages is an automated process, users still have the ability to manage their email messages while helping to combat spam.
For more information on reporting an email message as spam click here.
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What are my MailGuard Anti-Spam options?
Your MailGuard Service is set initially to automatically delete spam, but you may choose to review messages or turn off the service.
Click here for more information on how to configure the Anti-Spam features of the MailGuard service.
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When I turn the service on, will my existing spam messages be deleted or moved?
No. Spam messages that you have already received will not be deleted or moved to the MailGuard folder.
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What happens to the email that MailGuard identifies as spam?
Email messages that are identified as spam are automatically deleted unless you choose the Review option. The Review option stores spam in a Webmail folder labeled MailGuard for 7 days. Log into Webmail (http://webmail.att.net) to view the messages in this folder.
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Do I need to create a MailGuard folder in Webmail?
No. When the anti-spam service is turned on, a MailGuard folder will be created when the first spam email is detected.
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Does AT&T MailGuard service work with Outlook Express, Outlook, Netscape Mail, or other email software?
Yes. MailGuard is a service that was added to the AT&T network and helps protect your email regardless of how you access it. If you are using email software such as Outlook Express or Netscape to view your email, you should notice a reduction in the amount of spam that reaches your inbox. To turn this feature off, log into AT&T Webmail (http://webmail.att.net).
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Does email in my MailGuard folder count toward my storage limit?
If you have selected the Review option, yes. The email in your MailGuard folder does contribute to your storage limit. Spam is saved in the MailGuard folder for 7 days, but you can delete email in your MailGuard folder anytime. For more information on deleting message in Webmail click here.
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What happens if MailGuard incorrectly identifies an email message as spam?
Rare instances may occur in which a message has been mistakenly identified as spam. If you have selected the Review option so spam is saved in your MailGuard folder for 7 days, go to your MailGuard folder in Webmail and move the message to your Inbox to avoid having the message deleted when the folder is emptied. If messages have incorrectly been identified and filtered as spam, follow the directions below.
- Cut and paste the message and put it in a new message window.
- Obtain the header information and cut and paste that info into the body of the "new" message prior to sending to thisisgood@bellsouth.net.
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Can I read email messages in my MailGuard folder?
Yes, if you have selected the Review option. Log into AT&T Webmail (http://webmail.att.net). Click on Folders and then click on the MailGuard folder. To read the content, click on the subject of the message.
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Does someone read my email to identify spam?
No. MailGuard uses software that automatically determines whether or not email is spam.
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What is the AT&T MailGuard Anti-Virus Service?
AT&T Anti-Virus Service is a network-based email virus protection solution to protect you and AT&T's network infrastructure from the spread of harmful computer viruses and worms.
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How does the Anti-Virus Service work?
When AT&T MailGuard Anti-Virus Service identifies a virus, it is cleaned from the email before it is delivered to your mailbox. If a worm is identified, the email is automatically deleted from the system and is not delivered at all.
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What happens to a worm or virus when AT&T MailGuard detects it?
When a virus is detected, MailGuard attempts to clean the message first. The recipient is notified that the message contained a virus. If it is not possible to clean the virus, the message is deleted and the recipient is notified the message was deleted.
When a worm is detected, the message is automatically deleted and no notification to sender or recipient is made. A worm is usually sent unknowingly by the sender.
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When my AT&T Mailguard anti-virus is activated, will any existing viruses or worms on my computer be detected/cleaned?
No. Viruses or worms that have already been received will not be detected or cleaned. You may wish to scan your PC for existing viruses with a commercially available virus scanner.
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Does AT&T MailGuard anti-virus software only clean incoming email?
No, AT&T anti-virus service will clean both incoming and outgoing email
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Can I opt-out of the Anti-Virus Service?
No. MailGuard Anti-Virus Service is maintained within the mail system and cannot be turned off. This is so that we can maintain the integrity of the AT&T Network. It is against our Acceptable use policy to propagate any viruses within our network.
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