Linux Mail Server Setup and Howto Guide

This page will guide you in configuring MailScanner, ClamAV and SpamAssassin to work in Postfix. Before proceeding, make sure Postfix is installed and working.

Configuring MailScanner

1. Install MailScanner using the command below.

sudo apt-get install mailscanner

2. Edit the file /etc/MailScanner/virus.scanners.conf and change the path of clamav to /usr.

3. Edit the file /etc/MailScanner/MailScanner.conf and update the lines below.

%org-name% = your organization name
%org-long-name% = your full organization name
%web-site% = your mail support website or company website
Run As User = postfix
Run As Group = postfix
Incoming Queue Dir = /var/spool/postfix/hold
Outgoing Queue Dir = /var/spool/postfix/incoming
Incoming Work Group = clamav
Incoming Work Permissions = 0640
MTA = postfix
Virus Scanners = clamd
Use SpamAssassin = yes
SpamAssassin User State Dir = /var/spool/MailScanner/spamassassin

4. Edit the file /etc/default/mailScanner and update the line below

run_mailscanner=1

5. Edit the file /usr/sbin/mailscanner and add a -U parameter on the first line.

Integrating MailScanner into Postfix

1. Edit the file /etc/postfix/main.cf and add the line below

header_checks = regexp:/etc/postfix/header_checks

2. Create the file /etc/postfix/header_checks and add the line below

/^Received:/ HOLD

This will now place all incoming mail into the holding area until released by MailScanner.

3. Use the commands below to start MailScanner.

sudo service postfix restart
sudo service clamav-daemon start
sudo service mailscanner start

4. Test if Postfix is still working. See Test Postfix using Telnet.

If you encounter any problems, check the log file at /var/log/mail.log.

Congratulations

Congratulations, your mails are now checked for spam and viruses. Each mail you send or receive will now contain the lines below to indicate that MailScanner is doing its job.

This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.

The English language message templates used in MailScanner is stored in /etc/MailScanner/reports/en and can even be configured to add a disclaimer message to outgoing mails.

Visit the forum to ask for help or to give a comment.

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Posted on 9/18/2011 and last updated on 9/18/2011
Filed under Anti-spam/Anti-virus , MailScanner , Postfix , Ubuntu 10.04