Many Internet service providers (ISP) and e-mail programs provide junk e-mail filters that can serve as the first line of defense against spam. Tip 1: Check to make sure your spam filters are set the way you want.For example, the protection level of the junk e-mail filter in Microsoft Office Outlook is set to Low. At that level it is designed to catch the most obvious spam, but if you want to filter your e-mail more aggressively, set it to High. Tip 2: Check your Junk mail folder.If your spam filter is set at a very restrictive setting that weeds out as many suspect messages as possible, it might be sending legitimate e-mail to the electronic dump. You should always review the Junk E-Mail folder to make sure the filter didn't somehow divert an important message there. Tip 3: Block images.Pictures in e-mail messages—also called "Web beacons"—can be adapted to secretly send a message back to the sender. Spammers rely on information returned by these images to locate active e-mail addresses. Images can also contain harmful code embedded inside them and be used to deliver a spammer's message in spite of the filters. Both MSN Hotmail and Microsoft Outlook 2003 are preset to stop pictures from downloading automatically for e-mail from addresses not in your address book. Outlook Express also increases its protection against Web beacons if you're using Windows XP Service Pack 2. Tip 4: Keep your filters current.Spam is a cat-and-mouse game with spammers working relentlessly to outwit the filters. Do your part by keeping your junk e-mail filter up to date. To do this if you're using Outlook 2003, visit Microsoft Update, and follow the instructions on the screen. Tip 5: Be careful about sharing your e-mail address.| • | Only share your primary e-mail address with people you know. Avoid listing your e-mail address in large Internet directories and job-posting Web sites. Don't even post it on your own Web site (unless you disguise it as described below). | | • | Set up an e-mail address dedicated solely to Web transactions. Consider using a free e-mail service to help keep your primary e-mail address private. When you get too much spam there, simply drop it for a new one. | | • | Create an e-mail name that's tough to crack.Try a combination of letters, numbers, and other characters—Don2Funk9@example.com or J0e_Y0ng@example.com (substituting zero for the letter "O"). Research shows that people with such names get less junk e-mail. | | • | Disguise your e-mail address when you post it to a newsgroup, chat room, bulletin board, or other public Web page—for example, SairajUdin AT example DOT com. This way, a person can interpret your address, but the automated programs that spammers use often cannot. | | • | Watch out for pre-checked boxes. When you buy things online, companies sometimes pre-select check boxes to indicate that it's fine to sell or give your e-mail address to responsible parties. Clear the check box if you don't want to be contacted. |
Tip: When you sign up for Web-based services such as banking, shopping, or a newsletter, carefully read the privacy policy before revealing your e-mail address so you don't unwittingly agree to share confidential information. The privacy policy should outline the terms and circumstances regarding if or how the site will share your information. If a Web site does not post a privacy statement, consider taking your business elsewhere. What to do with spamDespite your best efforts, you no doubt have received e-mail you didn't ask for. Here's what you can do about all that junk. | • | Delete junk e-mail messages without opening them. Sometimes even opening spam can alert spammers. | | • | Don't reply to spam unless you're certain that the message comes from a legitimate source. This includes not responding to such messages that offer an option to "Remove me from your list." | | • | Don't give personal information in an e-mail or instant message. It could be a trick. Most legitimate companies won't ask for personal information by e-mail. If a company you trust, such as your credit card company or bank, appears to ask for personal information, check into it further. Call the company using a number you retrieve yourself from the back of your credit card, a bill, phone book, or the like—not a number from the e-mail message. If it's a legitimate request, the company's customer service department should be able to help you. | | • | Think twice before opening attachments or clicking links in e-mail or instant messages, even if you know the sender. If you cannot confirm with the sender that an attachment or link is safe, delete the message. (If you must open an attachment that you're less than sure about, save it to your hard disk first so that your antivirus software can check it before you open it.) | | • | Don't buy anything or give to any charity promoted through spam. Spammers often swap or sell the e-mail addresses of those who have bought from them, so buying something through spam may result in even more spam. Plus, spammers can make their living (and a lucrative one, too) on people's purchases of their offerings. Resist the temptation to buy products through spam, and help to put spammers out of business. | | • | Criminals use spam to prey on people's desire to help others. If you receive an e-mail request from a charity you'd like to support, avoid donation scams by calling the organization directly to find out how to contribute.) | | • | Don't forward chain e-mail messages. Not only do you lose control over who sees your e-mail address, but you also may be furthering a hoax or aiding in the delivery of a virus. Plus, there are reports that spammers start chain letters expressly to gather e-mail addresses. |
Note: It can be troubling to receive spam from what appears to be your own account. Your first suspicion may be that someone has hacked into your account to send you mail—or worse, send others e-mail that is allegedly from you. The truth is these fears are not likely to be real. More likely, a spammer has forged the headers (which include your e-mail address) to lend authenticity to their junk e-mail, and also potentially help the message bypass some e-mail filters.
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