5 Useful Tips for Fighting Spam

To reduce the chances of your e-mail address getting on a spammer’s list, here are 5 simple preventative measures you can take:

1. Use a disposable e-mail address. If you buy products online or occasionally subscribe to web sites that interest you, chances are you’re going to get spammed. To avoid your main e-mail address from ending up on their list, set up a free Internet e-mail address or use a throwaway e-mail address when making purchases or subscribing on websites (see #4).

2. Pay attention to check boxes that automatically opt you in. Whenever you subscribe to a website or make a purchase online, be very watchful of pre-checked boxes that say, “Yes! I want to receive offers from third party companies.”
If you do not un-check that box, your e-mail address can (and most probably will) be sold to every online advertiser.

3. Don’t post your main e-mail address on your web site, forums or newsgroups. Spammers have special programs that can get e-mail addresses from web sites without your permission. If you are posting to a web forum or newsgroup, use your disposable e-mail address instead of your main e-mail address.
If you want to post an e-mail address on your home page, use “info@” and have all replies forwarded to a folder in your in-box that won’t interfere with your main e-mail address.

4. Create throwaway e-mail address. If you own a web domain, all mail going to an address at your domain is probably set up to come directly to you by default. For example, an e-mail addressed to anything@yourcompany.com will be delivered to your inbox.
This is a great way to fight spam without missing out on important e-mails you want to get. The next time you sign up for a newsletter, use the title of the web site in your e-mail address. For example, if the web site is titled “www.freewidgets.com,” enter "freewidgets@yourdomain.com" as your e-mail address. If you get spammed, look at what address the spam was sent to.
If freewidgets@yourdomain.com shows up as the original recipient, you know the source since that e-mail address was unique to that web site.

5. Don’t open, reply to or try to opt-out of obvious spam e-mails. Opening, replying to, or even clicking a bogus opt-out link in an obvious spam e-mail signals that your e-mail address is active, and more spam will follow.
The only time it is safe to click on the opt-out link or reply to the e-mail is when the message was sent from a company you know or do business with (for example, a company that you purchase from or a newsletter you subscribed to).

If you have a specific question about e-mail setup, anti-spam solutions, or other computer issues, please feel free to contact me at www.blueprof.ca

How SPAM and web browsing can seriously affect your business

Spam e-mails are not only annoying and time consuming, but they’re also becoming more dangerous to your personal privacy and the security of your computer and business. Millions of computer users are getting infected, spoofed, and tricked by spam every day.

NEW dangers that business computer users must be aware of:

1. An increase in hijacked and spoofed e-mail addresses. Spammers have discovered new ways to infiltrate small software programs in your computer, to make it appear as though their e-mail is coming from YOUR computer. You can get this kind of small software from a spam e-mail or simply browsing the internet on some nasty sites and click on the pop-up massages. This could result in having your Internet connection terminated or put on hold by your ISP – or even worse, you can end up having your business or foundation domain name banned by the hosting company completely killing all your e-mail communication and your website, or getting listed on blacklists (like the one from Spamhaus) used by many spam software and therefore nobody using a spam filter will get your e-mails.

2. An increase in virus-carrying spam. Accidentally open a spam e-mail carrying a nasty virus and you can end up with big problems ranging from the slowing of your system to more serious threats such as system crashes, data loss, identity theft, redirecting your web browser to various sites, and more.

3. Phishing spam. A phishing e-mail appears to be a legitimate e-mail from a bank, vendor, or other trusted source. The purpose is to trick you into giving confidential information such as bank accounts, social security numbers, passwords, and credit card information. You’ve probably already received a PayPal or bank spam e-mail that said your account was going to be closed unless you verified your information. It then directs you to a very convincing web site where you input certain information the thief is trying to glean. In reality, this is a malicious third party that is going to use your information to open credit card accounts, access your account, steal money, and cause you other major identity and financial problems.

If you have a specific question about computer security, spam, or other computer issues, and your business is located in Vancouver area, BC, contact a Small Business IT Specialist at www.blueprof.ca right away.