Anti spam issue: Internet ScamBusters #16
In this issue, we're going to do something different. Instead of reporting on another scam, we're going to provide you with some great resources to help you deal with the most common problem our subscribers tell us they are facing...
How To Dramatically Reduce The Amount Of Spam You're Receiving
We noticed that the amount of spam we were getting was significantly increasing each month. A couple of months ago, we were each getting about 30 to 50 spams a day! Spams had gone from being a real nuisance to a serious problem.
So, we decided to see if we could systematically reduce the amount of spam we receive. We starting using the tips we present here.
And it worked. We've reduced the amount of spam by about 55%.
Check out the " Stop Spam" page for all the resources in this issue -- plus new ones -- as we find them.
So here are some tips -- and lots of resources -- to help you reduce the amount of spam you receive.
- Use a separate email address when you post to newsgroups and mailing lists. Never use this email address for personal email. Then, you can quickly go through the email in this account to see what's spam and what isn't. And your main personal email address won't be as clogged with spam.For example, AOL users can set up a special user name for free, and use that for their postings. Then, they can just discontinue that account if they start to get too much spam.
- NEVER buy anything from a company that spams. Don't visit their sites or ask for more information. (If you respond to their spams, you're encouraging them to continue spamming.) See the Boulder Pledge below.
Other good resources to deal with spam:
Getting Rid of "Spam"
Interesting article by Randy Cassingham with some good resources. http://www.spamprimer.com/
Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email
The online anti-spam organization. CAUCE.
Fight spam on the Internet
Our other articles on why spamming is a bad idea and what to do about spam.
Internet ScamBusters Issue #12
Internet ScamBusters Issue #16
The Boulder Pledge
A simple part of the solution to the spam problem, devised by Roger Ebert at the Conference on World Affairs at the University of Colorado. (He announced this pledge in his column in Yahoo! Internet Life's December 1996 issue.)
"Under no circumstances will I ever purchase anything offered to me as the result of an unsolicited email message. Nor will I forward chain letters, petitions, mass mailings, or virus warnings to large numbers of others. This is my contribution to the survival of the online community."
SPAM Media Tracker
This Web site has an amazing list of articles on spam.
Stop Unsolicited Mass E-Mail Advertisements!
Excellent discussion of the problems with bulk email. Includes special tips for America Online users, things to keep in mind before joining an Internet mailing list or newsgroup, and where and how to complain.
Junkbusters
We've mentioned this site before, but it's worth repeating. Excellent links, resources, and news.
Blacklist of Internet Advertisers
We've been writing about these folks since we started Internet ScamBusters. The site includes lots of useful links, as well as information on how to deal with spam.
Everything E-Mail's Unsolicited Email (Spam) Issues
Also, visit their page on places to complain about spams.
Another good page of tips, news and links.
Includes a good essay called "Why You Shouldn't Advertise by Bulk Email: Guidance for Internet Marketers," as well as suggestions for what ISPs should do about junk email.
Spam, Scams and Relevant Resources
Good list of resources.
We hope these resources help you succeed in reducing the amount of spam you receive. Let us know your results. Thanks!