Frequently asked questions

How SpamFactor works, what you need to change and what happens to your mail. Can't find your answer? Email us at info@spamfactor.com.

General

What is SpamFactor?
SpamFactor is a hosted spam and virus filter for email. It receives the mail for your domain on servers in the EU, checks every message and passes only the good ones on to the mail server you already use.
Which mail servers does it work with?
With all of them: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Plesk and any other mail server that receives mail for your domain.
Do I need to install anything?
No. There is no software and nothing changes in your mailboxes or mail programs. You only change your DNS records and one setting on your mail server.
Where is my data stored?
On servers in the EU. Read the privacy statement for what we keep and for how long.
Who is behind SpamFactor?
SpamFactor is built and run by Jorden Chamid of Corbata Webdevelopment in Amersfoort, the Netherlands. Read more about us.

Pricing

What does SpamFactor cost?
€9.99 per domain per year, €399 per year for up to 50 domains or €1,299 per year for up to 250 domains, excluding VAT. See pricing.
Do you have plans for more domains?
Yes. The Business plan covers up to 50 domains and the Reseller plan up to 250. Need more? Email us at info@spamfactor.com.

Setup

How do I get started?
Send us the domain you'd like to protect at info@spamfactor.com. We set it up with you and check that mail flows correctly before you switch the MX records.
What do I need to change?
Two things: point the MX records of your domain to SpamFactor, and let your mail server trust mail from our servers. In Microsoft 365 that is an inbound connector, in Google Workspace an inbound gateway, in Plesk the spam filter allow list.
Why do the old MX records have to go?
Spammers often deliver to every MX record they can find, including the ones with a lower priority. As long as your own mail server is listed, they can go around the filter.
Does my outgoing mail change?
No. Your mailboxes, outgoing mail, SPF and DKIM stay exactly as they are. SpamFactor only handles incoming mail.
Can I try it on one domain first?
Yes. Most customers start with one domain and add the others once they have seen the results in the dashboard.
What happens if SpamFactor is unreachable?
Mail servers keep messages they cannot deliver and try again for several days. Nothing is lost; it arrives as soon as we are back.

Filtering

How does the filter decide?
SpamFactor gives every message a score from a series of checks: blocklists, sender authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), links, content and more. Below 6 a message is delivered, from 6 it is delivered with [SPAM] in front of the subject, and from 9 it is refused.
Are viruses always refused?
Yes. Every attachment is scanned, and a message with a virus is refused whatever its score.
What is greylisting?
An extra check you can turn on per domain. Messages with a score from 4 are delayed for a few minutes: real mail servers try again, most spam bots don't. You can switch it on or off in the dashboard.
Will you block mail I actually need?
Rarely, and when it happens you can see it. Doubtful messages are delivered with [SPAM] in the subject instead of being refused, and everything SpamFactor refuses can be found and released.
Does the filter learn?
Yes. When you mark a message as spam or not spam, the filter learns from it, so similar messages are scored better next time.

Dashboard and quarantine

What happens to mail you refuse?
The sender gets a notice that the message was not accepted. A copy is kept in quarantine for 30 days, where you can read it safely, release it to the inbox or mark it as not spam.
Can I see why a message was blocked?
Yes. The SpamFactor dashboard shows every message handled for your domain, including the refused ones, with every check that raised or lowered the score.
Can I give my customers or colleagues access?
Yes. Every login only sees the domains or addresses it has access to, so you can give each customer or colleague their own account.
How is my login protected?
With two-factor authentication: an authenticator app, a passkey or a code by email, with recovery codes in case you lose your phone. You can also log in with a passkey alone.
Is there an API?
Yes, for administrators and resellers: manage domains and users, look up and release messages and train the filter from your own systems. See the API documentation.

Reports by email

What is in a report?
Statistics per domain (how many messages were delivered, tagged and blocked, compared with the period before), and the mail that was blocked since the last report. You choose whether a report contains the statistics, the blocked mail or both.
When are reports sent?
On the days and at the time you choose, on the quarter hour: for example every weekday at 08:00, or only on Mondays at 09:30. A report covers the time since the previous one.
Can I release a message from the report?
Yes. Every blocked message has its own release link, so you don't need to log in. A link can be used once and works for 14 days; after that you can still release the message in the dashboard.
Can I send a report to someone else?
Yes, to colleagues or customers. A report can go to up to 10 addresses. New recipients first get an email to confirm that they want to receive it, and every report has a link to unsubscribe.
Can I get a report only when something was blocked?
Yes. Turn that option on and you only get mail when there is something in quarantine to look at.
How many reports can I set up?
Up to 10, each with its own schedule, recipients and domains. For example a daily one for yourself and a weekly overview for a customer.

Apps

Is there an app?
SpamFactor apps for iPhone and Android are coming soon. Until then the dashboard works fine in the browser on your phone.
What can I do in the apps?
What you do most in the dashboard: look up messages and see why they were delivered or blocked, release them or mark them as spam with a swipe, and view the statistics of your domains.
Can I use my passkey in the app?
Yes. A passkey you made for the website also works in the apps.