Block images
Just as a lighthouse beacon beams a
message with light, pictures in e-mail
messages--also called "Web beacons"--can
be adapted to secretly send a message
back to the sender.
Spammers rely on information returned
by these images to locate active e-mail
addresses. Images can also contain
harmful code and be used to deliver a
spammer's message in spite of filters.
The best defense against Web beacons
is to prevent pictures from downloading
until you've had a chance to review the
message.
Both MSN Hotmail and Microsoft
Outlook 2003 are preset to do this
automatically for e-mail from addresses
not in your address book. Outlook
Express also increases its protection
against Web beacons if you're using
Windows XP Service Pack 2.
Keep your filters current
Spam is a cat-and-mouse game with
spammers working relentlessly to outwit
the filters. Do your part by keeping
your junk e-mail filter up to date. To
do this if you're using Outlook 2003,
go to Microsoft
Update, and follow the
instructions on the screen. For more
information about Microsoft Update, see
Use Microsoft
Update to help keep your computer
current.
Be careful about sharing your e-mail
or instant message address
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Only
share your primary e-mail
address with people you know.
Avoid listing your e-mail
address in large Internet
directories and job-posting Web
sites. Don't even post it on
your own Web site (unless you
disguise it as described below).
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Set up
an e-mail address dedicated
solely to Web transactions.
Consider using a free e-mail
service to help keep your
primary e-mail address private.
When you get too much spam
there, simply drop it for a new
one. |
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Create
an e-mail name that's tough to
crack. Try a combination of
letters, numbers, and other
characters-Don2Funk9@example.com
or J0e_Y0ng@example.com
(substituting zero for the
letter "O"). Research shows that
people with such names get less
junk e-mail. |
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Disguise
your e-mail address when you
post it to a newsgroup, chat
room, bulletin board, or other
public Web page-for example,
SairajUdin AT example DOT com.
This way, a person can interpret
your address, but the automated
programs that spammers use often
cannot. |
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Watch
out for pre-checked boxes.
When you buy things online,
companies sometimes pre-select
check boxes by which you
indicate that it's fine to sell
or give your e-mail address to
responsible parties. Clear the
check box if you don't want to
be contacted. |
Tip: When you sign up for
Web-based services such as banking,
shopping, or a newsletter, carefully
read the privacy policy before revealing
your e-mail address so you don't
unwittingly agree to share confidential
information.
The privacy policy should outline the
terms and circumstances regarding if or
how the site will share your
information. If a Web site does not post
a privacy statement, consider taking
your business elsewhere.
Improve your computer's security
You can greatly reduce your risk from
hackers, viruses, and worms if you use a
firewall, keep your Windows and Office
software up to date, and install
antivirus software (and update it
routinely).
What to do with the spam you have
Despite your best efforts, you no
doubt have received e-mail and instant
messages you didn't ask for. Here's what
you can do about all that junk.
Ignore spam
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Delete
junk e-mail messages without
opening them. Sometimes even
opening spam can alert spammers
or put an unprotected computer
at risk. |
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Don't
reply to spam unless you're
certain that the message comes
from a legitimate source. This
includes not responding to such
messages that offer an option to
"Remove me from your list."
Do not unsubscribe unless
the mail is from a known or
trusted sender.
Windows Live Hotmail gives
you the option to unsubscribe
from mail that you previously
had trusted or requested. This
sends a notice back to the
sender to have you removed from
their list, while at the same
time automatically adding the
sender to your block list. |
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Update
your e-mail junk mail program
and e-mail filters. Spammers
continually try new tricks,
trying to bypass anti-spam
technologies. The Outlook Junk
E-Mail Filter is powered by
Microsoft SmartScreen
technology, which helps prevents
spam from cluttering your inbox.
Updates are available from the
Office
Update and
Microsoft
Update and can be
downloaded automatically,
providing you up-to-date
protection against spam and
phishing.
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Don't
give personal information in an
e-mail or instant message.
It could be a trick. Most
legitimate companies won't ask
for personal information by
e-mail.
If a company you trust, such
as your credit card company or
bank, appears to ask for
personal information, check into
it further. Call the company
using a number you retrieve
yourself from the back of your
credit card, a bill, phone book,
or the like-not a number from
the e-mail message. If it's a
legitimate request, the
company's customer service
department should be able to
help you. |
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Think
twice before opening attachments
or clicking links in e-mail or
instant messages, even if
you know the sender. If you
cannot confirm with the sender
that an attachment or link is
safe, delete the message.
If you must open an
attachment that you're less than
sure about, save it to your hard
disk first so that your
antivirus software can check it
before you open it. |
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Don't
buy anything or give to any
charity promoted through spam.
Spammers often swap or sell the
e-mail addresses of those who
have bought from them, so buying
something through spam may
result in even more spam.
Plus, spammers can make their
living (and a lucrative one,
too) on people's purchases of
their offerings. Resist the
temptation to buy products
through spam, and help to put
spammers out of business.
Criminals use spam to prey on
people's desire to help others.
If you receive an e-mail request
from a charity you'd like to
support,
avoid
donation scams by
calling the organization
directly to find out how to
contribute. |
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Don't
forward chain e-mail messages.
Not only do you lose control
over who sees your e-mail
address, but you also may be
furthering a hoax or aiding in
the delivery of a virus.
Plus, there are reports that
spammers start chain letters
expressly to gather e-mail
addresses. If you don't know
whether a message is a hoax or
not, a site like
Hoaxbusters can help
you separate fact from fiction.
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Note: It can be troubling to
receive spam from what appears to be
your own account. Your first suspicion
may be that someone has hacked into your
account to send you mail-or worse, send
others e-mail that is allegedly from
you.
The truth is these fears are not
likely to be real. More likely, a
spammer has forged the headers (which
include your e-mail address) to lend
authenticity to their junk e-mail, and
also potentially help the message bypass
some e-mail filters.
Report fraudulent, abusive e-mail
If you receive abusive, harassing, or
threatening e-mail messages or have been
the target of a phishing e-mail scam,
report it. If nothing else, perhaps
you'll save someone else from becoming a
victim.
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Report
abusive, harassing, or
threatening e-mail messages
to your Internet Service
Provider (ISP). |
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Report
phishing scams and other
fraudulent e-mail to the
company that has been
misrepresented. Contact the
organization directly and not
through the e-mail you received.
The company may also have a
special e-mail address to report
such abuse-for example,
abuse@msn.com to
report abuse of MSN. |
Tip: If you use MSN Hotmail,
you can report junk e-mail before you
even open it using the Junk
button.
Block unwanted instant messages (IM)
In addition to a healthy dose of
caution, your best defense against IM
spam (or spim as it's becoming
known) is to block unwanted messages. |
