Fight The Spam

Copy write Microsoft Corp.

If you send or receive e-mail, you probably get spam. Maybe a lot of spam. Ever wonder why you get so much junk e-mail? It's a lucrative business. It's cheap to send out millions, even billions, of e-mail messages. Go figure: if even a tiny percentage of a hundred million people buy something in response to an e-mail message, that's a lot! So what can you do about spam? Quite a bit, as it turns out. Let's explore some of the ways you can stop the deluge.

Block junk e-mail before it reaches you

Many e-mail programs have built-in filters that can help you separate spam from the e-mail you really want. For example, MSN Hotmail® can help you stop receiving junk e-mail or delete junk e-mail before it arrives. You may also be able to enlist the help of your Internet Service Provider (ISP). For example, MSN 8 uses tools from Brightmail and Microsoft-developed filters that help block spam before it reaches your inbox.

Be careful about disclosing your e-mail address

Some spammers get address lists from Web sites where you may have signed up for free offers, ordered something online, or entered a contest. They can also get your address from Internet white pages listings, newsgroups, resumé postings, and chat rooms.

Follow these tips whenever you can:

•	Set up an e-mail address dedicated solely to Web transactions. Consider using a free mail service to set up an e-mail account for your online transactions. This will help you keep your real e-mail address private.
•	Only share your primary e-mail address with people you know. Avoid listing your e-mail address in large Internet directories. Don't even post it on your own Web site.
•	Disguise (or "munge") your e-mail address. Use a munged address whenever you post it to a newsgroup, chat room, or bulletin board. For example, you could give your e-mail address as "s0me0ne@example.c0m" using "0" (zero) instead of "o." A person can interpret your address, but the automated programs that spammers use cannot.
•	Watch out for checked boxes. When you buy things online, companies sometimes add a checkbox (pre-checked!) to indicate that it's fine to sell or give your e-mail address to responsible parties. Click the check box to clear it.

Review the privacy policies of Web sites

When you sign up for Web-based services such as online banking, shopping, or newsletters, review the privacy policy closely before you reveal your e-mail address. The privacy policy will outline the terms and circumstances regarding if—or how—the site will share your information. (If you don't read a statement, you could potentially "agree" to share your personal information without knowing it.)

Tip: If a Web site does not have a privacy statement posted, be cautious and consider contacting the site owners before sharing sensitive information.

If the Web site doesn't explain how it will use your personal information, think twice about sharing it. Also be aware that many companies—even legitimate ones—may share your information in ways that you may not like.

For More Information Contact:

Bailey Office Equipment
123 East Second Street
Tel: 641-684-6528
FAX: 641-684-4297
Internet: sales@baileyoffice.com

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Fight The Spam

Copy write Microsoft Corp.

Block junk e-mail before it reaches you

Be careful about disclosing your e-mail address

Review the privacy policies of Web sites

Send mail to Webmaster with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2006 Bailey Office Equipment Last modified: 07/21/08

Send mail to Webmaster with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2006 Bailey Office Equipment
Last modified: 07/21/08