Q: What’s with all this SPAM that I’ve been getting at work lately?
A: An increase in spam is usually an indication of two things:
1) Your email address has been added to a number of marketing lists and
2) Those list owners are still in the Christmas selling spirit.
Your first step in getting rid of spam is to make sure you have the Cuesta spam filter set up. For step-by-step “how-to” instructions, check out http://email.cuesta.edu/mailinfo/. Or call Computer Services at x3248 for assistance.
General information about spam can be found at the web site: http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6130-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=55268&messageID=658692&tag=nl.e497
Q: I'm using Outlook Express and I get a ton of spam. I'm also getting spam from my Hotmail account. I've been told that if I get Yahoo! I won't have as much trouble with spam.
A: In order to sufficiently answer this question you need to understand the components involved in e-mail and spam protection; e-mail provider, e-mail address, and spam filters.
E-mail provider - An e-mail provider is like a post office. With a post office you can either pick your mail up there (P.O. Box) or you can have the mail delivered directly to your home.
The same is true with your e-mail provider. With some providers (Hotmail, for example), you use a web browser to connect to their server and view the e-mail online (like a P.O. Box). However most ISPs (internet service providers) allow you to use an e-mail client (i.e., Outlook Express) that allows you to download your e-mail to your computer and read it anytime you want, without having to reconnect to the internet.
Regardless of how you view your e-mail, you need an e-mail provider to receive your email.
E-mail address – This is the unique identifier that directs e-mail to your e-mail provider and, once there, to you. (Example: johndoe@hotmail.com)
Spam filters - A tool used to identify undesired e-mail based on set criteria. Spam filters can be run by your e-mail provider or from an e-mail client on your PC.
Spam filters that reside within the e-mail provider can do two things with undesired e-mail;
(1) Reject it, delivering a message to the sender letting them know their e-mail was not accepted, and never allowing you to view the "spam" or
(2) Redirect it, putting it in a special folder marked for deletion, allowing you to check the message to verify that it is spam.
Spam filters that reside in your e-mail client simply redirect undesired e-mail, moving it to either a special folder or to your "Deleted Items" folder.
The Problem
So you’re sick of spam, huh? Well, the problem is not with your e-mail provider. Nor is it whether you're using a web browser or an e-mail client to view your e-mail.
The problem is that your e-mail address is on a spammer's list.
Spammers can get your e-mail address many different ways:
· Enrollment forms - Spammers can nab your address when you fill out forms online. That's right. Not everyone who requests your e-mail address (or other personal information) online is to be trusted.
· Viruses/Spyware - There are viruses and spyware that will forward your personal information, including e-mail address, to a potential spammer.
· Friends' address book - There are viruses that will forward addresses from the address book of the infected user to a spammer. The only thing you can do about this is to encourage your friends to run continually updated virus protection on their computers.
· Replies to Spam - If you click the "Remove Me" text on a spam message, you are verifying to the spammer that your e-mail address is legit and that you read your e-mail. This action with almost guarantee that you will receive additional spam.
The Solution
Spam filters can prohibit or redirect most spam. But many spammers are sneaky, "mistyping" key words (i.e. "V1AGR A") and continually changing their return addresses. These actions make it nearly impossible to filter.
Preventative measures are the best way to avoid spam.
· Be careful with whom you share your e-mail address.
· Use updated virus protection.
· Install and run spyware checkers.
· Have a second (free) email address (from Hotmail, MSN, Yahoo, etc.) and use that address when filling out most forms online. If you get too much spam at that email address, close the account and open a new one.
· NEVER reply to spam. NEVER purchase anything from a spammer.
If you want to know more about protecting yourself against spam and other internet threats, enroll in the Safe Computing class. The training schedule is available at http://www.cuesta.edu/deptinfo/elic/trainingschedule.htm.