Tuning SPAMASSASSIN

[gw1500se]

I am trying to tune Spamassassin but seem to be missing something. While server admin lets me set the the mail score to an integer value, that is insufficient. I edited /etc/mail/spamassassin/local.cf and made the ‘required_hits’ value 2.2 then did the postfix reload (although I am not sure that is really right but there is no reload for spamassassin I could find). I am now getting rejected mail with a score of 2.11 so obviously it is not really using my setting. Can someone help set this up properly? TIA.

[pterobyte]

On OS X Server, spamassassin is controlled by amavisd. So you must edit /etc/amavisd.conf and modify sa_tag_level, sa_tag2_level and sa_kill_level

[gw1500se]

Thanks for the reply. That explains a lot of problems I was having with Spamassassin parameters.

[gw1500se]

One additional question. When I look at the ‘X-Spam-Status’ header, the ‘required’ parameter still says 2. Is that due to rounding or did my amavis.conf change not get read in because I didn’t reload the right service? TIA.

[pterobyte]

After any changes to amavisd.conf, issue:
sudo /bin/launchctl unload /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/org.amavis.amavisd.plist
sudo /bin/launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/org.amavis.amavisd.plist

[gw1500se]

That did it. Thanks. Now, if I may, an additional question:

How do I do the equivalent of the Spamassassin parameter,

add_header all Status _YESNO_, score=_SCORE_ required=_REQD_ tests=_TESTSSCORES(,)_

Thanks again.

[pterobyte]

That should already be enabled (albeit limited on the version that comes with Tiger Server). Make sure $sa_tag_level_deflt is set to -999 so that all mail gets the headers added.

If you make heavy use of amavisd and spamassassin, and like to tweak it, I suggest you update to the latest versions.

And in case you use virtual domains or local host aliases, add:
@local_domains_maps = ( 1 );
below:
@local_domains_acl = ( “.$mydomain” );

to include all domains.

[gw1500se]

Thanks. Where do I find the documentation for the amavis.conf file? I’ve been all over the amavis web site and did all kinds of google searches but I cannot find the description of those parameters anywhere.

[gw1500se]

That parameter was set to -999. I get the header but it is not telling me the totals. It is the tests=_TESTSSCORES(,)_ that I need and am not getting. TIA.

[pterobyte]

Although not Mac specific, but still 95% applicable, here is a good overview:
http://www200.pair.com/mecham/spam/amavisd-settings.html

The amavisd.conf itself also contains lots of information.

[pterobyte]

[QUOTE][u]Quote by: gw1500se[/u][p]That parameter was set to -999. I get the header but it is not telling me the totals. It is the tests=_TESTSSCORES(,)_ that I need and am not getting. TIA.[/p][/QUOTE]

If you have the “old” stock version that came with Tiger, you will have to modify /usr/bin/amavisd itself if I recall correctly.

Best to update to 2.5.3 (for many reasons)

[gw1500se]

Thanks again. Will upgrading solve this problem or will I still need to modify amavis? This might be more then I want to do. I am always leery of upgrading these things because if something goes wrong Apple tech support will be of no help.

[pterobyte]

If you update, everything is taken care of in amavisd.conf

Good point, but has Apple ever been able to help with amavisd issues?

[gw1500se]

Only to the extent of what can be changed via admin server. However, if it breaks something else then I’m in trouble. I’ll think about it. Thanks.

[pterobyte]

Unfortunately, if you are serious about properly configuring mail services, you will have to ditch Server Admin. Be it for postfix, be it for amavis and spamassassin.

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