6 Top Tips - How to Reduce Spam
Posted on November 2, 2006 - Filed Under Other IT Stuff
1. Turn OFF Catch-all
When I first started to configure my own email server I thought that Catch-all was the best thing since sliced bread. I could get every email sent to every possible of @mydomain.com including typos, spelling mistakes etc. Very soon though I realised that this was simply attracting a massive amount of spam to my inbox. If you have “Catch-all” turn on, then turn it off!Â
2. Don’t put your email address online in plain text
Spammers often farm Web sites for email addresses. However, not having your email address on your own Web site isn’t really an option. http://javascript.internet.com/miscellaneous/hide-e-mail-address.html” target=”_blank”>This link has a handy piece of JavaScript which allows you to hide your email address from spammers, but not from customers!
3. Create accounts especially for forums/newsgroups
If you are a user of online forums or newsgroups then you create an email address to use specifically for these types of sites. Often your email address is displayed in plain text (see above) and spammers will love this. A disposable email address that you use simply to sign-up, verify your account and then throw it away will reduce spam massively.
4. Unsubscribe from emails you don’t read
Alot of junk that arrives in my Inbox is actually stuff I’ve subscribed to, either directly or indirectly. You can end it once and for all by simply following the Unsubscribe instructions, usually contained at the bottom of the email.
5. Turn on your hosts Spam Filter
Your ISP or hosting company should offer you free spam protection. Turn it on. This will offer you a decent level protection.
6. Install a client side Spam Blocker
For full spam protection, install some client side spam blocking software on your own PC. I use SpamPal and it is excellent - and free!
Also - make sure your firewall and anti-virus software are up to date. Alot of spam carry viruses or other nasties.
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