Home > Ask the Microsoft Exchange Experts > Richard Luckett: Spam and Security Questions & Answers > Track, monitor and log all e-mail communication
Ask The Exchange Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

Track, monitor and log all e-mail communication

Richard Luckett EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Richard Luckett

Pose a Question
Other Exchange Categories
Meet all Exchange Experts
Become an Expert for this site


Exchange Server tips, tutorials and expert advice
Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us    Add to Google


>
QUESTION POSED ON: 09 February 2006
I am looking for a way to track, monitor and log all e-mail communication -- both incoming and outgoing -- on an Exchange 2003 server. What is being asked of me is to store and track every e-mail for legal purposes. I would like to replicate this service to another server to keep the load off the production server.

Do you know of any way Exchange can do this? Furthermore, the logging must be readable if called upon with little effort -- i.e., administration comes to me asking to see all John Q. Smith's e-mail communications from the last two years. I would need to be able to either print them out or import them into a mailbox for viewing. Regardless of user deletions, all mail must be archived (safety from malicious intent or cover ups by the users).

Any help would be appreciated.



Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us    Add to Google



RELATED CONTENT
Richard Luckett: Spam and Security
How effective is tracking the IP address of an email hacker?
Why can't I grant users permissions to an Exchange public folder?
How can I configure Exchange IMF to allow an IP address or DNS?
Tool helps identify inbound Exchange Server email flow issues
Configure SMTP relay restrictions in Exchange Server 2003 to stop spam
How to lock down an SMTP relay to prevent spam in Exchange Server 2003
Connecting an Apple iPhone to Exchange Server on Windows SBS 2003
Why does a security alert pop up when accessing Outlook Web Access?
Exchange email sent to a domain using SPF authentication is returned
Selectively set email permissions for Exchange groups

Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
Remove Exchange 2003 objects from AD to install Exchange 2010
Leapfrogging from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2010
Top 5 Exchange ActiveSync tips
Exchange Mailbag: POP3 settings and Outlook issues
Migrating to Exchange 2007 with correct permissions
Problems receiving email from outside a Exchange Server 2003 domain
Exchange admins: Is it time to rethink your email address policy?
Exchange Server 2003 collects email from only specific POP3 domains
Changing email address formats in Exchange Server 2003
Should you remove .STM files from Exchange Server 2003?
Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Research

Microsoft Exchange Server Monitoring and Logging
Analyzing Exchange ActiveSync data from .CSV report files
Top Exchange Server performance monitoring and troubleshooting tools
Extracting Exchange ActiveSync data from IIS log files
How effective is tracking the IP address of an email hacker?
Error message: 'ID no: 8004100e Exchange System Manager'
How to generate HTML reports with the Exchange Management Shell (EMS)
IMAP list command only returns a list of Exchange public folders
A network connection problem or an offline server prevented delivery of the message
Monitor and search Exchange mailboxes for music and video files
How much bandwidth is required to send email in Exchange 2003?

RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary


VIEW MEMBER FEEDBACK TO THIS ASK THE EXPERT Q&A.

Yes Microsoft does offer a solution called Message Journaling. It can be enabled on each mailbox store. It is quite limited, so you will need to test it out to determine if it fully meets your requirements or not. To enhance the base features of Message Journaling some administrators have also incorporated a Microsoft Exchange tool called Archive Sink on their SMTP Connector servers (Internet facing gateway servers). Here are a few links to help get you started:

How to enable the "Message Journaling" function for an Exchange Server mailbox store

Troubleshooting message journaling in Exchange Server 2003 and in Exchange 2000 Server

How to install and use the Archive Sink utility in Exchange Server 2003


MEMBER FEEDBACK TO THIS ASK THE EXPERT Q&A:

I like the tip, but I have an Exchange 2003 Standard -- is there a way to select which mailboxes should be archived (I have only one mailbox store)?
—Patricia M.

******************************************

Technically you could use the Archive Sink utility referenced in the tip. However, it is not recommended do so, except for troubleshooting purposes. I think you might want to look at a full featured archiving solution that will give you more granular control. A popular solution is the GFI MailArchiver for Exchange. It is reasonably priced and full featured. Click here for a full list of solutions.
Richard Luckett, spam and security expert


Do you have comments on this Ask the Expert Q&A? Let us know.
Related information from SearchExchange.com:

  • Tip: Archive Sink
  • Tip: Exchange event sink offers more granular message journaling
  • Tip: Outlook Journaling: A poor man's archiving tool
  • Step-by-Step Guide: E-mail compliance to-do list
  • Reference Center: Archiving tips and resources
  • Reference Center: Compliance tips and resources




  • Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
    Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
    Browse our Expert Advice



    Outlook Web Access (OWA) Tips and Advice
    HomeNewsTopicsITKnowledge ExchangeTipsAsk the ExpertsMultimediaWhite PapersIT Downloads
    About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
    SEARCH 
    TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

    TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




    All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2004 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
      TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts