How much better

[iceruam]

How much better is SPAM Blocker vs SPAM Blocker lite?
The lite version is almost worthless.

[jcoehoorn]

It depends on how you process e-mail. If you're still using and on-site Exchange server or similar, Spam Blocker is a HUGE step up.

But if you have a cloud service like G-Suite/O365/Outlook.com, or if your e-mail server is located in a datacenter off-site somewhere (as with ISP-provided e-mail), then Untangle's service never sees your e-mail traffic. It only sees the traffic for the web page where you view your inbox, which isn't the same thing. In this case, you have to rely on anti-spam services available in your provider.

[sky-knight]

I'd like to know how this is in use as well. Spam Blocker vs Spam Blocker Lite is only the addition of a commercial reputation engine. It certainly helps, but I'd hardly describe Spam Blocker Lite as "useless".

More likely the deployment of Spam Blocker Lite was done incorrectly, or isn't working properly and upgrading to the paid module without addressing these concerns won't yield any benefit. JCoehoorn rightly points out, you can't defend cloud based email with Untangle.

Ok... well you CAN, but it's not a trivial process.

[jcoffin]

As web browsing is going to HTTPS, much of the SMTP traffic is shifted to TLS so either will see much if that is the case.

[sky-knight]

As web browsing is going to HTTPS, much of the SMTP traffic is shifted to TLS so either will see much if that is the case.

Yeah, TLS means you need the anti-spam engine to be built into the mail server, or use a mail server specifically for anti-spam. Both techniques are how you protect O365 / Google.