SPAM, or unsolicited junk e-mail (as opposed to unappetizing canned meat) is surely one of the worst scourges of the wired world. Everybody with an e-mail account is well-acquainted with SPAM. Sadly, people fall victim to SPAM cons on a regular basis.
The "CAN SPAM" Act of 2003 (the full name is "Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing" Act) was intended to stop or prevent unsolicited emails. It has not - although it has made them illegal.
SPAM isn't a minor problem - a great many of SPAMMers are actually cybercriminals of some stripe - trying to get you to do something – whether to go to a Website, buy a stock, or set up a home-based business - so they can steal your money in some way shape or form.
So, what can you do to fight SPAM?
Short of becoming a member of congress, there are really only four different ways to deal with SPAM:
- You can protect your e-mail address, so it has less chance of getting distributed to SPAMMers.
- You can filter incoming SPAM messages.
- You can delete SPAM.
- You can report SPAM
PROTECT
This one is on you. Change how you use your e-mail, and who has access to it:
- Don't give out your e-mail address any more than you you really need to. (For example, refrain from signing up for e-mail newsletters willy nilly).
- Read the PRIVACY policy on the Website you’re shopping on. If they look like they're going to play volley ball with your e-mail - don't shop there. Go somewhere else.
- Some internet service providers (e.g., Earthlink) will let you set up "temporary" or "anonymous" e-mail names when you shop online. When you're done using them, simply delete them.
FILTER
Most e-mail software packages have different settings that allow you to "train" your software to recognize SPAM. At this point, however, you probably need Anti-SPAM (or SPAM filter) software. This may come as part of an Internet Security software package.
The Gold standard in security software has always been Norton line of products from Symantec, but there are many other options - most available to try for free for 15 to 30 days you buy.
In order for any filtering software to work, however, you need to train it. You need to "flag" what is a good message and what is a junk message. And for that to work, you really need to keep track of your legitimate e-newsletters and things you've signed up for.
I have been using a program called Spamfire on my Macintosh for several months now. My inbox used to be a mess - with literally hundreds of junk e-mails going into it every day. Now, all those messages go into a "junk" folder, and only a handful make it to my inbox. Spam software isn't 100% perfect - but it sure as heck helps.
DELETE
You really should go through your email folders (inbox folder, junk folder, etc.) at least once a day and clean everything up. I usually do scan my "junk" folder just to make sure a good message (or two) hasn't ended up there, but then I "Select all" and hit the delete button. Feels good.
REPORT IT
This is not going to get you very far very fast, but you should know that you can do it!
SPAM filter packages usually have some sort of “reporting” mechanism that allows you to report something that’s particularly bothersome to you. Let them take that on - just hit the button.
Of course, you can also make the FTC's life more fun by reporting SPAM to them.
They've set up a FTC - SPAM site for consumers where you can learn more about SPAM and report it to your heart's content.
