DigiPortal Software’s “ChoiceMail” Requires
Spammers to Personally Ask Your Permission

ChoiceMail Welcomes Messages from Recognized Senders
While Re-Directing Spam to Never-Never Land

Parsippany, New Jersey (July 11, 2002) – DigiPortal Software Inc., a provider of information management tools for the desktop, today launched “ChoiceMail,” a consumer product that defeats spam in a new way: it requires the sender to first ask the recipient’s permission. ChoiceMail’s unique logic defeats spammers’ notoriously impersonal approach and shifts the burden back to them. Friends, colleagues and other known senders are always welcomed by ChoiceMail.

ChoiceMail is designed to address the shortcomings of today’s anti-spam software and services, which rely on keyword filtering or teams of imperfect human spam detectors. Both of these methods unintentionally block legitimate e-mail or allow spam to get through, and are easily bypassed by increasingly savvy Internet marketers. They also require constant updates and in some cases, monthly fees.

How it Works
ChoiceMail requires a one-time download and install on the user’s PC. The user has the option to start an “A-list” of approved senders by entering e-mail addresses or importing them from commonly used contact lists.

When an e-mail makes its way to the users’ e-mail application but before it reaches the in-box, ChoiceMail checks the incoming message and compares it against a list of approved senders, all of which reside on the ChoiceMail users’ PC. If the sender is recognized as legitimate, the e-mail is ushered to the users in-box without delay. If the sender is not recognized, the e-mail is held out of sight and a message is sent back to the sender indicating they must first ask for permission before e-mailing the ChoiceMail user.

That permission request directs the sender to a simple Web page where they are asked to further identify themselves and indicate why they want to contact you. Bulk spammers, who rely on automated mailing services to market their wares, would have to personally fill out this brief form (watermarking technology prevents automated completion of the form) to reach the recipient – an unlikely and expensive proposition for them. If the form is never completed, ChoiceMail holds the original e-mail out-of-sight for a user-defined period and then unceremoniously dumps.

When a legitimate e-mailer completes the form, a window appears on the ChoiceMail user’s desktop and displays the sender’s request to send an e-mail. The ChoiceMail user can approve the sender, thereby adding him to the list of approved senders and displaying his original e-mail message; or reject the sender on this occasion and if desired, permanently.

About the Design
“ They're guilty until they prove themselves innocent! This is perhaps the only way to deal with the rapidly growing problem of junk e-mail where more of your e-mail messages are coming from spammers rather than from legitimate contacts,” said Dr. David Jameson, founder and chief technology officer of DigiPortal Software, Inc. “We based our technology and solution on simple, straightforward logic – if you don’t tell me why you want my time then I will not see your e-mail, unless you’re already on my approved list. New ideas in the technology field don’t always need to be massive, complicated and hard to use. Sometimes the best method is staring you right in the face. Our permission-based e-mail systems is just that – plain and simple, yet powerful. With ChoiceMail, you will never receive an unwanted e-mail again.”

About DigiPortal Software, Inc.
ChoiceMail joins DigiPortal’s arsenal of information management tools designed to provide today’s end users with powerful aids in fighting information overload and inappropriate Internet content. ChoiceMail currently is available for an introductory price of $29.95. For more information on ChoiceMail and to purchase, visit: www.digiportal.com

Press Contact:
Press at DigiPortal Software