AVS_DROP_VIRUS


Platforms

All which have been configured to use the LISTSERV Anti-Virus Server (AVS) feature to scan mail for spam or viruses


Abstract

Two Boolean variables that may be set on servers that submit mail to the external LISTSERV AVS for virus and spam scanning, which can help deal with DoS mail-bombing attacks.


Examples

z/VM:

AVS_DROP_SPAM = 1

AVS_DROP_VIRUS = 1

Unix:

AVS_DROP_SPAM=1

AVS_DROP_VIRUS=1

export AVS_DROP_SPAM AVS_DROP_VIRUS

Windows:

AVS_DROP_SPAM=1

AVS_DROP_VIRUS=1


Details

Two AVS-specific options, AVS_DROP_SPAM and AVS_DROP_VIRUS, are available to deal with mail flooding that may result from a mail-bombing attack on a LISTSERV site protected by an external LISTSERV Anti-Virus Station (AVS).

Both options, which default to 0, can be set to 1 to tell an AVS server to drop messages on the floor if they turn out to be spam or infected with a virus. The normal behavior is to return the message to the primary LISTSERV instance, which can then log it and decide what to do with it. In the case where the primary instance is configured to drop the message, it may be more efficient to drop it at the AVS.

Please note carefully that this works only with mail submitted to an AVS server.  It does not have any effect on mail scanned locally.


Default Value

0 (that is, disabled) for both variables.