Spam, or unsolicited e-mail, is fast becoming the single biggest problem facing Internet users today.

Not only does it represent a huge security risk, in the corporate world it's costing businesses significant amounts of money in lost productivity, increased Internet data costs, additional support requirements, more storage space and in the purchase and upkeep of the latest defences.

The reality of the situation is that the spam epidemic that is affecting our inboxes can be reduced by smart Internet and e-mail use. This article will explain some of the mechanisms used by spammers, and outline how you can help avoid becoming a spam target.

The Golden Rule - Remain Anonymous!

You wouldn't routinely post your private contact details on sign posts all around your neighbourhood. Make a point of treating your e-mail address in the same manner.

Spammers commonly use e-mail harvesting robots called mailbots to automatically collect addresses from the web. If you subscribe to dodgy online services or post to newsgroups, forums, etc. and your real e-mail address is in clear view, then to a spammer you're fair game.

Never add your address to Internet e-mail directories. When you're on the web, leave e-mail address fields in web forms blank or supply a decoy address such as This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you really want to receive email from the site in question, consider registering a free account with someone like Hotmail or Gmail, to keep the spam away from your real address. A disposable email account is always a good idea.

If you post public messages to newsgroups or web discussion boards, you can limit the amount of junk sent to you by practicing address munging. Adding extra characters or words to your outgoing address confuses mailbots (you can make the change in your email application's preferences). For example, if your real address is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , a scrambled version could be joe@_removethis_.isp.com. Most newsgroup or forum users will understand how to treat this address in order to send a ligitimate reply, or you can include decoding instructions in your e-mail signature to help them.

Don't be Part of the Problem!

Forwarding junk to your friends only helps spammers. Don't circulate chain e-mails, petitions or virus warnings. Spam can contain hidden code that can tell your PC to silently notify the spammer when the message has been opened, giving them a legitimate target address.

Use Commonsense!

Beware of contests that offer huge rewards that require you to submit your email address. Remember, if an offer sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. This is a very common e-mail address collection technique. Never buy anything from a spammer. Most spammers are scammers too!

Don't Read It!

Assume all mail from unknown senders is spam. If you don't recognise the sender's name/address, delete the message immediately. Don't use the preview pane in your e-mail client. It's the same as opening the message.

Never, Ever Respond!

Never reply to spam, even to demand that you be removed from their list. This action will more than likely guarantee that you receive even more unwanted mail. It tells the spammer that not only is your e-mail account active, but also that you read your e-mail. While the spammer may elect not send you any more e-mail himself, he will certainly sell your e-mail address to another spammer.

Do Not Use Email Auto Responders!

A message telling Mr. Spammer that you're on holidays is as good as inviting him to send you more garbage.

Do Not Sign Up to a Do Not Spam List!

Currently, there is no such thing as a "Do Not Spam" list. All you're doing is giving away your legitimate address.

What Can I Do?

If you're being overwhelmed with spam, then chances are it's too late to do much about it. Whilst internal anti-spam solutions and external services are a great idea, and will generally achieve an 80-90% success rate in filtering out the garbage, no solution is perfect. Solutions that are configured to achieve a high success rate often suffer an unacceptable number of false-positives (preventing the delivery of real, valid email).

The only guaranteed solution in extreme cases is to change your e-mail address, and then adopt better practices to protect your new address.

What Should My New Address Look Like?

If you must select a new e-mail address, avoid using a common first name as an e-mail address. Spammers often buy the list of all registered internet domain names and then try common_name@<domain.com> for a million or more web domains. If only 2% get through, that's a lot of successful spam. So that you will be less likely fall prey to this scam, consider using an e-mail address like This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it rather than This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Summary 

Where spam is concerned, prevention is certainly better than cure. Good Internet usage habits are vital in helping to curb the spread of this menace. Every Internet user has the responsibility to practice safe-surfing, and every business needs to educate their staff of the dangers of inappropriate Internet use by publishing an Acceptable Usage Policy.