HOW TO FIGHT SPAM
(AND TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR INBOX)
BY BB LEE (C)2002
(600 words)
Spammers send out thousands of emails per day. They know
most of the emails will be deleted but for every thousand
they know one sucker will bite.
The result, your email account will overflow with hundreds
of unwanted emails from strange marketers. Consequently,
legitimate business email will get lost in the junk.
What is Spam?
Spam(Junk Mail) is the mass distribution of unsolicited email
across the Internet by certain unscrupulous marketers. Why do
they choose this marketing tactic over others? Email is a
cheap way to reach a large market.
Problems arise when these unethical spammers bombard accounts
with their unsolicited sales literature. Most of their junk
is blatant sales pitches for worthless garbage. In fact, most
of their crappy stuff can be categorized as deceptive,
fraudulent, get rich quick schemes, porno garbage, chain
letters or MLM scams.
Hit And Run Tactics.
Once a spammer gets your email address on a hot list you'll
get hundreds of junk emails per day. This will make it difficult
for you to separate legitimate emails from the spam. Believe
me, complaining does not work. Most spammers supply a fake
return e-mail address. Spammers also use FREE trial ISP
accounts. Like the one's offered by AOL. Once they've used
up the free trial they are on the run to another ISP.
Unsubscribing Tactics.
Never click the unsubscribe link contained in their
emails. Clicking the link will verify that your email
address is legitimate and active. Thus, leading to even more
unsolicited emails. Okay. This sounds tricky and unethical.
Of course! Spammers are liars!
Who Pays For Spam.
You, the consumer. And your ISP. The average consumer spends
7 seconds reading or rejecting spam. Multiply this by hundreds
per day, adding up to thousands per month. This takes a big
chunk out of your Online time. And the price you pay for your
ISP service. AOL complained of receiving over 1.8 million spams
from one spammer per day until they filed a court injunction to
stop the spam attacks. But not before causing thousands of
consumer complaints.
Fight Spam.
Here are ways to fight spam.
-Close all the spammed email accounts. Set up new accounts
and be very careful who you give your main email address to.
-Set up filters to direct the spam directly to the trash folder.
Read your email program help files for complete instructions.
-Open Junk Mail Accounts. These are accounts specifically set
up for unsolicited emails. Use these accounts when advertising
at FFA's, Free Classifieds, or when an
unfamiliar website ask for your email address.
-Report spammers. Spammers are tricky. Many spammers supply
fake return addresses. But it is worth a try.
Report spammers.
http://www.SpamCop.net
Spam Abuse.
http://www.spam.abuse.net
Spam laws.
http://www.Cauce.org
-Use special software to fight spammers. This is a good idea.
Here are popular spam fighting software.
SpamPal (freeware)
http://www.spampal.org.uk/
Mailwasher (freeware)
http://www.mailwasher.net
What Not To Do.
-Don't spam the spammer. Don't sink to their level.
-Never threaten violence. This could get you in big trouble.
-Don't hack into their site. Need I say more.
-Don't try other illegal tactics. Stay cool.
BB Lee is Editor/Publisher of SmallBizBit's Free Home Biz Newsletter.
Subscribers to SmallBizBit's get free ads for their business on
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About the Author
BB Lee is editor/publisher of SmallBizBits Home Business Newsletter. And a published writer.