The Verse - Volume One

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Tech Tips – Spam: It’s Not Just Meat Anymore

Until a few years ago, the only thing that Spam clogged up was arteries. Now there’s a different kind of spam clogging up e-mail inboxes everywhere. Junk e-mail, known as spam, drives everybody crazy. According to a CNN report this month, about 80 percent of all e-mail traffic in the United States is spam. Here are a few questions and answers to help you get rid of or at least cut down on spam.

Q. How did they get my e-mail address?
A. Spammers use software to scan public address books on Hotmail, Yahoo and other free e-mail sites. They also look for e-mail addresses posted on Web sites or newsgroups. Programs that spammers use can generate random name combinations which are followed by @hotmail, @yahoo, @kc.rr.com, etc. and send e-mails to these potential addresses. Spammers buy and sell e-mail lists in addition to using them to market their own products and services.

Q. Can my e-mail program stop spam?
A. Microsoft Outlook, Netscape Mail, Netscape Messenger, Hotmail and Yahoo Mail all offer some level of spam blocking.

Q. Is there other software that stops spam?
A. There are countless anti-spam software products and services available. They range from free desktop applications to Server-based solutions that cost several thousand dollars. A recent Google search for "spam + software" resulted in 6.2 million entries! Choosing which is right for you depends on many factors. These include who decides what is spam, what point in the delivery process you want it stopped and is a service or a software product better? To help you decide, PC Magazine’s top picks are: Qurb, Postini Perimeter Manager and Brightmail Anti-Spam.

Q. What else can I do to stop getting spam?
A. Never respond to spam. Don't buy anything they offer or click any link in a spam e-mail. Don't give your e-mail address to anyone on the Web. Use an alternate e-mail address with Hotmail, Yahoo or another free e-mail service to sign up for offers, contests, etc. Don’t reply to spam, even to unsubscribe. The “unsubscribe” mechanism could be used to verify your e-mail address and result in more spam for you.

Q. I still have questions or need assistance with a particular problem. Where can I get help?
A. Call your friendly purple guys from Versent at 913-498-0400 or go to www.purpleguys.com.

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