Controlling the Spam Monster
What Is Spam
Is your in-box clogged with junk email messages from people you don't
know? Are you overwhelmed by unsolicited email offering products or services
you don't want? This is what’s called Spam.
When I first started getting Spam I thought it was funny that someone
would send me an e-mail that promised to enlarge the penis of a 50-year-old
grandmother. Then after thousands of such messages it became annoying. When
my grandchild started getting them it went way beyond annoying.
Spam clogging the Internet, and sending of the same unsolicited and
unwanted message to millions of users. We spend hours out of our busy lives
deleting such annoying messages. Often these messages are just selling
things but they may contain a virus, spyware, or a malicious program. Internet
Spam hurts everyone. Not only do we have to spend time deleting messages,
money on software to control the effect of this menace on our computers,
but also it bogs down the Internet.
Why do I get it?
Mostly you get Spam e-mail because some unethical business people are
trying to make a buck with what they think is the easy way. Sometimes Spam
is from mean spirited jerks that like to destroy. They send a virus or
malicious program designed to hurt your computer just for fun. Often Spam
comes from the purveyors of pornography in and effort to both make money
and spread their filth.
How Do Spammers Work?
Most spammers buy lists of e-mail addresses. Some web sites collect
e-mail addresses and sell their lists to spammers. (As stated in our privacy
policy, GrandsPlace will never do this.) The unscrupulous spammers then
use these e-mail lists and send copies of their message to everyone on
the list.
Some spammers use harvesting software to extract your e-mail address
from the Internet. If you post your e-mail address on a web site,
message board, chat room or any other place on the Internet it becomes
ripe for harvesting.
Slowing the Email Harvest
The investigators indicate that email address harvesting usually is
automated, because Spam can hit the addresses soon after they are used
publicly the first time; the Spam was not targeted; and some addresses
were picked up off web pages even when they weren't visible to the eye.
Still, they say, consumers can protect their email addresses from harvesting
programs. Here's how:
Consider "masking" your email address. Masking involves putting a word
or phrase in your email address so that it will trick a harvesting computer
program, but not a person. For example, if your email address is "myname@myplace.com,"
you could mask it as "myname@spamaway.myplace.com." Be aware that some
newsgroup services or message boards won't allow you to mask your email
address and some harvesting programs may be able to pick out common masks.
Use a separate screen name for chatting. If you use chat rooms, use
a screen name that's not associated with your email address. Consider using
the screen name only for online chat.
Set up disposable addresses. Decide if you want to use two email addresses
- one for personal messages and one for posting in public. Consider using
a disposable email address service that creates separate email addresses
that forwards to your permanent account. If one of the disposable addresses
begins to receive Spam, you can shut it off without affecting your permanent
address.
Use two email accounts. If you work for a business or organization that
wants to receive email from the public, consider creating separate accounts
or disposable email addresses for that purpose, rather than having an employee's
address posted in public.
Use a unique email address, containing both letters and numbers. Your
choice of email address may affect the amount of Spam you receive because
some spammers use "dictionary attacks" to email many possible name combinations
at large ISPs or email services, hoping to find a valid address.
How to get rid of it
Just deleting the unwanted messages is not enough. We probably will
never rid ourselves totally from Spam but there are things you can do to
reduce the effect it has on your life.
Use a good security program. I use Norton Internet Security 2006 on
all my computers. In addition to great Spam filters it helps protect my
computers from virus, spyware and other threats. It’s a bit pricey
but much cheaper than leaving my expensive computers open to threats. Other
programs from McAfee Internet Security Suite 2006 or ZoneAlarm Internet
Security Suite 6 are also great helps.
If you cannot afford one of the above security programs there are many
free or lower cost alternatives you can download. Good ones can be found
at C/net by logging on to the link in the box below.
· Never click the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of a Spam
message. This only confirms to the Spammer that your address is good and
this will lead to more Spam. Sometimes Spammers harvest e-mail addresses
from these so called unsubscribe links to sell to other spammers.
· Before giving your e-mail address out on the internet
be sure who you are giving it to. Giving an address out on a message board
or chat-room is like saying “HEY SPAM ME PLEASE” to an e-mail harvesting
program.
· Create a “disposable e-mail account” for use on the internet.
By subscribing to a free e-mail account at yahoo, hot mail or other web
site that offers web based e-mail accounts and using these for posting
on the internet you can stop Spam from entering and clogging your mail
e-mail account.
· Do Not click any link in a Spam e-mail. Often just clicking
the link confirms your address and suggests your interest. Delete unwanted
messages unread.
· Lastly never, never, ever buy anything from someone who
sends you unsolicited advertising by e-mail, even if the product is something
you want! This just encourages spammers to continue this horrid practice.
Instead, if you see something you might be interested do an internet search
and buy from a reputable business.
Fight Back
Meanwhile, what can you do with the Spam in your in-box? Report it,
making sure that you include the full email header. The information in
the header makes it possible to follow up on your complaint. Send your
Spam to:
· The Federal Trade Commission, at spam@uce.gov. The FTC
uses the emails in this database to pursue law enforcement actions against
people who send deceptive Spam.
· Your ISP's abuse desk. Often the email address is abuse@yourispname.com
or postmaster@yourispname.com. Forwarding your Spam to your ISP lets them
know about the Spam problem on their system and helps them to stop it.
Include a copy of the Spam, along with the full email header, and at the
top of the message, state that you're complaining about being spammed.
· The sender's ISP. Most ISPs want to cut off spammers who
abuse their system. Include a copy of the message and header information
and state that you're complaining about Spam.
Controlling the Spam monster is up to all of us. Spam e-mails
clog the Internet slowing it down for legitimate users. It has been estimated
that 30 to 50 percent of the e-mail sent over the net is unwanted advertising.
Much of it is pornography we might not want to bring into our homes willingly.
We can all do our parts to rid the Internet of this menace.
