PureMessage Frequently Asked Questions
- What is PureMessage?
PureMessage is a mail filtering program that WMU uses. It scans all email sent to firstname.lastname@wmich.edu email addresses.
- How does PureMessage identify spam?
As PureMessage scans, it analyzes the characteristics of each message and applies over a thousand different spam tests to it. The weights of the results of the tests are added and converted to a spam score that expresses its spam probability. Messages with a spam probability of 50% or more are blocked and placed into quarantine.
- How does the PureMessage quarantine work?
The quarantine holds messages for 14 days, after which, if you've done nothing, they are automatically purged.
- What is the Quarantine Digest?
The Quarantine Digest is an email that is sent once per day and contains a listing of all emails blocked during the past 24-hours. Students must opt-in if they wish to receive it, and faculty and staff must opt-out if they do not wish to continue receiving it.
- How do I opt int (or out) of the Quarantine Digest?
Access PureMessage by logging into GoWMU and clicking the Check My Quarantined Spam link in the My Self Service channel. Once there, click Options and then check, or uncheck, the box Notify me periodically of messages that have been blocked.
- Can I have Web access to my quarantined messages?
Yes, by logging in to GoWMU and clicking the Check My Quarantined Spam link in the My Self Service channel.
- Someone sent me a message with a password protected attachment and I cannot find it.
Password protected attachments and emails typically wind up quarantined. Follow the instructions below to release them.
- Do I have to do anything with the Quarantine Digest email I receive?
You do not have to do anything with the digest. Any quarantined messages are automatically purged after 14 days. You may wish to review the digest to see if there are any messages you would like to release and send to your Webmail Plus mailbox.
- How do I release a message and get it sent to my email?
If you are viewing blocked messages in the digest, you may release all of the messages by simply replying to the digest email. If you want to release only specific messages, reply to the email, however remove all lines other than those that correspond to the messages you wish to receive.
If you are viewing blocked messages from the Web interface, check the box next to the message(s) you wish to receive and click Deliver Message. If you wish to always receive messages from that sender, click Deliver Message and Approve Sender instead.
- How do I view a message that has been quarantined, i.e. blocked?
To view a blocked message, login to the Web interface by clicking the Check My Quarantined Spam link in the My Self Service channel. Once there, simply click the Subject of the message you wish to view. The message will open in a new window. Click the X in the upper right corner of the message to close it.
- I released a message and it didn't show up in my email.
Delivery of blocked messages that you have released is not instantaneous. It could take up to 30 minutes. If it doesn't show up, you may need to search for it. Using the Web interface of Webmail Plus, enter the from email address as it was displayed in the PureMessage blocked message screen in the search box and click Search.
