Antispam Software and Reducing Email Junk Mail

Are you sick of getting tons of junk email?
 
Are you frustrated about conflicting ideas for handling spam?
 
Are you seeking good antispam software?

If you answered "yes" to the questions above, you aren't alone. Spam has become a huge headache for most email users. You may get 5, 50, or 500 junk mails a day depending on your email account. If the spammers have found you, use the following resources to regain control of your email. Read the article Don't get mad, get even to learn about things you can do to address spam. Read other good articles:

• We reveal the riskiest e-mail behaviors on the Net
• CNET teaches self-defense against spam

 

General Spam Information

• AntiSpam Page
• Fight Spam on the Internet

 
Spam Blocking Software

Your service provider may have spam-blocking software available free or for a small fee. Or, a stand-alone, spam-blocking application will help you eliminate some of the spam if you have a POP email account. This type of software will not work for web-based email accounts such as AOL and MSN. Try some of the following resources:

• MailWasher.net - shareware - Windows
• McAfee SpamKiller - commercial - Windows
• SpamBuster - commercial - Windows
• SpamCop.net - subscription
• PopMonitor - free trail - Mac
• MailBeacon - free trail - Mac

 
Suggestions

Spammers are getting creative. Nothing will eliminate all your email junk mail. However, you might try some of the following suggestions:

• Don't email the spammer and ask them to quit sending you email. This just confirms that you read the email and you're an active email address. You might even get put on more spam lists. Instead, report the company to the ISP. Use National Abuse Clearinghouse for ISP addresses. It's often abuse@yourisp.com.
• Delete the spammed email or even better use an antispam package to bounce back the message. These bounced-back messages are recorded by the spammer as a "dead email account" and there's a chance you'll be taken off their list.
• Some of the spam is being caused by viruses. For example, the W32.Klez.XX virus has become a huge problem.  If your computer is infected, this worm searches your files for email addresses and mails itself to others.  It randomly chooses a "to" and "from address".  This means that you may receive an infected email that appears to come from eduscapes or another website you have visited.
• Don't put your personal email on your website unless you don't mind spam. Also, don't put it on applications or forms. Even if they say it won't be used, it can sometimes be found. For example, I get put on email junk mail lists because my email appears at the bottom of each page on this website.
• Chill out. People are working on this problem. Get into the habit of using an email filter and wait for the next generation of email software. It's just part of life in the information age.

 

Try it

Download a free or inexpensive spam software and give it a try.

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