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Tips
for avoining spam
While
spam can never be completely avoided, there are
a few simple things you can remember to help stem
the tide.
- Never open or respond to spam messages Opening
and responding to a spam message is a recipe
for disaster. It only confirms to spammers that
you have a valid email address. Resist the temptation.
- Never try to opt-out of spam messages Don't
be tempted to respond to a spammer's opt-out
clause - even if it has a professional statement
along the lines of "Reply to this message with
"remove" in the subject line to be removed from
our database". Why - because they're lying.
It just verifies to the spammer that your email
address is active and it can be resold to other
spammers.
- Choose an unusual email address - even an
alphanumeric combination One of the common ways
that spammers collect email addresses is by
randomly generating name or dictionary combinations
for ISP domains. The success rate on this method
is very 'hit and miss' - but we can guarantee
that they do collect millions of addressees
this way. Our advice is to think carefully about
what email address you choose. Keep your email
address private - much the same way you do your
home address.
- Be careful about where you submit your email
address If you decide to submit your email address
to a website or a mailing list, check out their
Privacy Statement or their Terms of Use. These
documents should detail how they plan to use
your information. You just want to make sure
that your details are kept secure and confidential,
and not resold to other parties. (And believe
us, it's done).
- Never buy any products or services advertised
in spam messages Buying products and services
advertised in spam emails supports the spamming
community. If no-one purchases the products
and services offered in spam messages, then
businesses will stop paying to advertise their
products, and the spammers will lose clients
and money. Also you may never see the product,
as more often that not, it's a fraudulent operation.
- Protect the email addresses of your family,
friends and colleagues When sending mass emails
to your contact lists, send them using the BCC
field (blind copy). By doing this you are ensuring
their privacy and protecting their email addresses
from others. Encourage everyone you know to
do this.
- Avoid forwarding chain emails Often we receive
emails that make us laugh, sad or even ask us
to support a particular cause. Normally, it
requests that you forward it on to your friends
and family (and sometimes they even say you'll
be granted a wish by doing so). Avoid the temptation
and just delete it as it's likely to be a hoax.
Spammers love these types of emails as it's
a great way to capture lots of addresses
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