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10 Tips to Keep Your Computer Spam Free
10. In addition to
antispam software,
incorporate simple filtering methods based on words and servers. A spam server list can be found here
for Outlook users. Eudora users can use the list but must
incorporate it into their filter one entry at a time. You can also use the following
keywords
as a word filter that will dump all e-mail into any folder you choose.
Instructions on creating word and address filters.
9. OPT OUT! The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) also offers a
free service, similar to its program for telephone and
postal mailing solicitations, enabling consumers to opt
out of UCE. DMA members are required to purge from their
mailing lists all e-mail addresses of consumers who have
requested to be removed. More information is available
from the DMA.
The CDT,
Center for Democracy and Technology, offers very
comprehensive information about opting out. Follow their
opt-out instructions and you'll be satisfied with the
results.
8. Alter your e-mail address to
confuse spammers. Organizations that sell e-mail addresses use computer
programs that scan Web pages and newsgroups and forums to harvest e-mail
addresses. If you display an e-mail address on a Web page or when posting to
newsgroups, alter your e-mail address in such a way as to trick search
programs but not confuse users. For example, if your e-mail address is joe@internet.com,
change it to joeNOJUNKMAIL@internet.com. Most users will know to remove
NOJUNKMAIL from the address before using it, but search programs will not.
This is called email obfuscation and is somewhat effective
but "seasoned" spammers know the tricks and can
program around them.
7. Create a web alias via Yahoo!Mail.
Use it whenever
you sign-up for a service or register at a forum.
This account should only be used for those purposes in
order to keep your "real" e-mail account spam-free.
6. Try unsubscribing? This is a
two-edged sword. The unsubscribe mechanism in spam is because of the Netizens
Protection Act of 1999. This being the case, there are spammers
who use the unsubscribe mechanism to validate your e-mail address which then
allows them to sell your e-mail address with confidence. The best thing to
do is not reply to any unsolicited mail and rather filter it or block the
e-mail address.
5. Join
CAUCE - With each new registered member, CAUCE
becomes a stronger voice on Capitol Hill. It costs nothing
to join. Do it today! (If you already joined, you can edit
your membership information (here)
4. Report
Spam. SpamCop helps you punish spammers for sending
you their junk mail. This service is free. Often, spammers
lose their accounts and even get charged "cleanup
fees" by their internet providers. In addition,
reporting spam to SpamCop results in blacklisting the
sites responsible for allowing it to be sent.
If a Nigerian says they have millions of dollars
waiting
for you to collect, forward the email with the subject "419 sample - no
financial loss" to 419.fcd@usss.treas.gov
for the US Secret Service to investigate. Nigerian
Advance Fee Fraud (also called 419 Fraud) has been going on since the 80's
with faxes, and has recently become common with email. If you receive faxes for
this, forward to the USSS on 202 406-6930 with a cover sheet giving your contact
details and stating "no financial loss".
3. Never buy
anything form a spam email. Spammers are spammers to
make money. Simply put, there are enough people out there
buying from spam email to keep them in business.
2. Review my How
to Protect Yourself from Spam page.
1. Use antispam
software such as Norton Antispam which is apart of Norton
Internet Security 2003.
This will flag spam as well as scan it for viruses before
it hits your inbox.
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