Tips to Fight SPAM

SPAM is email that is unsolicited (email that you didn't ask for). This mail is commonly trying to sell you something. Typically it is just irritating, however SPAM could also include malware like a virus, or connect you to phishing websites that attempt to steal your private information. It is not possible to stop all spam, but the following are some methods to hold spam to a minimum.

You can be protected from malicious spam with antivirus software. Make sure that your computer has antivirus software installed. (There is antivirus software that has tools to filter out spam after it is downloaded to your computer). However, you might try to spot an email that has a dangerous attachment without opening it up; an email than includes a picture or is written with a Word document might be loaded with a virus -- be careful. Don't give your email address to people that are untrustworthy. If you have to give your email address to get something from a website, it is best to set up an email address just for the purpose of receiving junk. Hotmail or Gmail web mail is very good for this. Don't reply to any email unless you have asked for that email. A lot of spam messages include directions at the end of the message requesting that you answer the message if you desire to be taken off their mailing list. Don't do it, since this will only ensure them that this is a real email address, and you will probably receive more spam. For the same reason, you shouldn't give your address for opting-out or removing it from a list. Preview all your emails by reading their subject lines prior to opening the email. When you get emails that ask for money or help from someone you don't know, do not forward the message. It is most likely a hoax, and this is a great way for spammers to acquire more email addresses. A lot of emails warning about viruses are hoaxes too. You should do your homework about virus warnings before you warn your friends about it so that you don't spread the hoax on to them. If you pass along emails to multiple parties, address them through the BCC field, which safeguards their address by keeping it hidden. Ask people to send you emails in this manner as well. Just like item #2, above, don't give your address for placement on mailing lists in chat rooms or to newsgroups. You should have a 'throwaway' address to use for this and another address for friends and family. If you put your email address on your website, tell your web designer to encrypt it so that people who send spam can't see what it is. One effective encryption program is 'enkoder'. It is free of cost. You can do a Google search for Enkoder. You could register a complaint via email to the administrator of the server that hosts the spammer's website. The majority of servers provide an email address to notify of abuses in the WHOIS part of the IP address. It is possible to check the email's header to locate the source of the message and conduct a WHOIS lookup. There should be an abuse email address. http://whois.domaintools.com offers a free IP WHOIS lookup. Configuring Your Exchange Server to Filter Spam   Secret Techniques to Stop Spam That Work Every Time   Email Spam, Forum Spam, and Online Conduct   Did You Host Your Website to Receive Junk Mail?