The Trouble With Spam Is....
Each day we all face the same challenge. Spam. It doesn't matter if you're a home computer user or the head of IT for a multinational limiting or totally preventing the distribution of junk email to your computer(s) is now a daily chore.
The sheer frustration that spam causes combined with the number of lost man hours adds up to junk email being a very real problem for all involved. You have to filter through all the junk to find your own personal or work email. This on its own is annoying enough. When you consider the security risks from spyware, trojans, diallers and attempted identity theft spam becomes much more than just an annoyance - it becomes a minefield for any computer user.
So what can you do to block spam? The first step each user should take is to simply limit the number of people who know your personal email address. If you have a work email address then just use it for work. For home users only distribute your email address to people you know and trust. This simple move can cut your spam problems by 50%.
But what about all those online forms I need to fill in? No problem. Use a free email service like Hotmail or Gmail for this purpose. Treat it as a throwaway account that you can use as a buffer between your true personal email address and the rest of the world. Let it fill up with junk email and then just login once a week and delete everything you see.
Your password. It's amazing how many people set the password for their email account to abc123 or something similar. These passwords are incredibly easy for spammers to guess and would give them easy access to your mail account. The password for your email account should follow corporate standards of being 6 - 8 characters long and be alphanumeric (a mixture of numbers and letters). Make it longer if you can. Using a weak password is just asking for trouble.
If you're already receiving a ton of spam then you'll need to invest in a spam blocker. There are free spam blockers you can download and also also their paid equivalents. A great spam blocker can cost you as little as $30 and you'll see an immediate reduction in the amount of spam you're receiving.
Over and above installing software on your computer (especially for Mac users as your choices are limited) you could sign up for one of the web based challenge response spam blockers like Mailblocks or SpamArrest. Both of these services are ideal for somebody who's on the move a lot. Also because they're web based there's no software to install so they're perfect for Mac or PocketPC/Palm users.
Taking a pro-active anti spam stance is the next step. If you get junk email from people then check the mail headers and report any offensive email to the hosting company or ISP involved. Never, ever reply to spam directly. This simply confirms to the spammer that your email address is active. Also never click on any hyperlinks in any junk email - this again confirms your existence and can lead to a virus being downloaded directly onto your PC. Filter the spam, report the abusers, delete the remaining junk email.
Spam can be stopped. Not by some corporate giant or genius programmer. It can be stopped by each of you individually. Spammers rely on the widespread availability of email addresses and for people to reply to these emails or click on the links within the emails. The sooner people stop reacting emotionally to spam and simply filter, report and delete the offensive mail itself the sooner the lucrative market of bulk email will dry up for the spammers.
This article was provided courtesy of Spam-site.com which reviews spam blocker software and other anti spam utilties.
Related Articles:
Winning the War On Spam
For years I didn't worry much about spam.But lately it's got out of control.
Some Spam Filtering Facts
Do spam filters work? Even though it is estimated that 90 billion spam emails are sent worldwide every day the use of spam filters is still questioned.
What Exactly is Spam?
Spam, as defined in the context of computers, the Internet and electronic messaging, is a term used to designate unsolicited bulk electronic messaging and communication. In particular, spam is unsolicited bulk mailings that are commercially oriented.
SPAMfighter Consumer Alert: Spam Containing Link to Fake US Soldier's Blog in Iraq Spreads Trojan
A spam mail is being sent promoting a link to a US soldier's blog in Iraq. E-mail users are lured into a site that appears to be a blog but instead installs Trojans into the user's computer.
Spam ? the facts and figures
Spam is the result of the activities of a small number of people; however these activities are becoming a big problem for Internet users. Spammers are flooding the Internet with messages and making it increasing difficult to get on with our daily tasks and work, which involves the Internet.
The War on Spam: Google Fights Back
Google is engaged in a war. It is a war on spam.
Spam Blockers: What They Can Do to Protect You
Spam blockers might be among the most important things that have to come along with your computer. This is most especially true if you are connected to the internet and you are more likely to be targeted by phishers and spammers. Having an efficient spam blocker installed in your PC will not only save you from the trouble of deleting numerous junk mails that arrive in your inbox. Spam blockers can even protect you from the dangers posed by viruses and phishing that usually get through your PC through unsolicited spams. Here are more reasons why you should have a spam blocker installed in your PC:
Latest Spam Weapon Defeated by ClearMyMail - PDF Spam Not a Problem
ClearMyMail keeps ahead of the spammers again by blocking their latest method of trying to by-pass the filters.
As Spam Hits All-time High Safety Send Sets Releases the Interceptor to Combat the 'Basket of Snakes' as the Ultimate Thief
Spam adds cost our economy in the billions every year. Safety Send Interceptor technology foils the thief. Spam is a sinister hidden cost that robs organizations of up to one hour a day from productive work from every email user. Interceptor stops well over 90% of Spam.
I Must Be The Luckiest Person Alive! Spam
I must be the luckiest person alive! My inbox is just crammed with good news, great advice, and millions in accounts just needing the ok from me.
Right now, I've two million euros just waiting to be claimed.