Say No to SPAM!

The name SPAM was adopted to describe unsolicited commercial e-mail by Internet users referring to a classic Monty Python comedy sketch in which singing Vikings repeat the name of Hormel's famed pork by-product over and over, similar to the bombardment of junk mail on email accounts.

SPAM is generally unsolicited, commercial e-mail, usually sent out in bulk mailings to large lists of e-mail accounts. While some SPAM messages are from legitimate businesses, a majority of these e-mails are promoting various scams and schemes or sexually oriented Web sites. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other businesses lose millions of dollars and hundreds of hours of lost productivity as a result of unsolicited commercial e-mail. SPAM clogs the Internet, computer systems, and e-mail accounts slowing down operations and at times causing system shutdowns and failures. Expenses include the cost of new computer hardware to handle the increased flow of mail created by SPAM, filtering software to cut down the flow of unsolicited commercial e-mail, and staff time spent identifying and deleting junk e-mail. Many ISPs limit the space available in mailboxes for to store e-mail messages. SPAM fills space which could utilize for more worthwhile messages, not to even mention how inconvenient is becomes to sort through when checking an e-mail account. The content of SPAM is also a major issue. While some SPAM messages are from legitimate businesses, a majority of these e-mails are promoting various scams and schemes or sexually oriented web sites or services. Is SPAM illegal? In most situations, the sending of SPAM is not presently a violation of the state or federal criminal code.

How do they get your e-mail address?

List compilers use automated software programs to search Web pages, search engines, chat rooms, and newsgroups for email addresses. These lists are then used to send out SPAM or the lists are sold. In addition, some Web sites use the information they receive from visitors submitting personal information while making a purchase to compile mailing lists.

How can you prevent SPAM?

Check with your ISP to see if they filter unsolicited commercial e-mail. If you receive SPAM, complain to your ISP. If your ISP does not filter unsolicited e-mail, request that they provide this service. Obtain your own filtering software. There are numerous free and for-purchase filtering options available.

Tips to Avoid Receiving SPAM

Always check a Web site for a privacy policy stating the site will not provide your e-mail address to third parties without your permission. If you're not familiar with the operations of a company, look for a reliability seal on the company's Web site. Never respond to SPAM. While some junk e-mails will request that you opt out of future mailings by sending them an e-mail, responding to SPAM will in most circumstances only confirm that your e-mail account is active and will encourage future mailings.