AntiSpam Guide
Spam - Problem Of Vital Importance On The Internet
from: Julia Gulevich
Almost everyone who accesses the Internet and uses e-mail knows about spam. The common definition of spam is e-mail that is unsolicited, undesired by the recipient. Spam is sent out by automated programs to thousands or millions email addresses at a time. In most cases spam emails offer you different services, products (medicines, goods, software programs etc.), and "get rich quickly" plans. You can simply delete them if you receive several unsolicited emails per day. But if you get tens or hundreds spam messages every day, it is a real problem. In order to understand how to deal with spam in your inbox, let's examine some core questions concerning spam:
Why send spam?
The right answer is to make money. If you have never opened a spam message, you should not think that others don't do it either. Among thousands or millions people who receive spam you can always find one or several persons who actually purchase services or products the spammers advertise, or join the "get rich" schemes the spammers offer. Of course, they lose and the spammer wins.
How do spammers obtain email addresses?
Spammers use special software programs that search websites, forums, newsgroups and harvest posted email addresses. They can use computer viruses and spyware to steal the email addresses from personal address books. Spammers often purchase lists of email addresses from other spammers, or from some dishonest companies, which do not care about the privacy of their customers' information.
What danger lies behind spam?
Never buy pharmaceutical drugs such as Valium, Viagra, Cialis, Anatrim, etc. advertised in spam emails. These medications are counterfeited for 99% and can be dangerous.
Viruses - one of the most common computer security threats - can also be spread in spam emails. The worst thing is that viruses slip onto your computer without being noticed. You may think that you will download new free software when you click on a link within a spam message but actually you will get at least one virus infection - most probably a trojan virus. This type of virus can destroy data, steal your personal information such a user name, password, or just download other nasty software onto your computer that will cause more harm. A virus can hide itself in a picture, video or audio file. Certain anti-spam programs such as G-Lock SpamCombat let you preview the messages in a safe mode, i.e. they don't allow any suspicious pictures to be downloaded nor malicious codes to be executed.
A virus is a nuisance but phishing is a real danger. This type of spam is becoming very popular now. This is a method of tricking consumers with the purpose to worm them out of their personal information such as bank account numbers, passwords, user names, and credit card details. The spammers send a fraudulent email that usually appears to come from financial institutions like Ebay or Paypal saying that there is some trouble with your account and that you need to update it. There is a link within the message that you should follow to update the account details. The web site usually looks like a real company's web site. But as soon as you start filling the presented form in, the program starts recording your keystrokes and your private details are now disclosed to the spammer.
How to fight spam?
It is prudent to use an anti-spam filter to block annoying, time consuming, and sometimes dangerous spam emails. Anti-spam software checks your incoming emails and immediately moves spam messages into a special trash folder. If you want a good internet security suite that includes a spam blocker, consider BitDefender Professional Plus, Kaspersky Internet Security, F-Secure Internet Security or eTrust Internet Security. For a standalone spam filtering program, look at McAfee Spam Killer, G-Lock SpamCombat, Spam Assassin, Mail Washer Pro or ZapASpam.
About the author:
Author is a technical expert associated with development of computer software like AATools, G-Lock EasyMail, Anti-Spam Email Filter. More information can be found at Spam Junk Email Filter Resources
For permanent link to this article click here.
Related story:
Web Filter and Internet Filters
from: DevicodeThere are hundreds of web filter and internet filters available these days. All of them are based upon the same concept and different applications of it. Web filter and internet filters use concepts of filtering through keywords or urls in order to safeguard children while on the internet. Web filters and internet filters can also be used to block out annoying parts of the web such as pop-ups and spam email. Each of these filters are based upon the same principle. The filter software contains a list of populated keywords or urls that relate to the purpose intended. For example, 'safe lists' of urls that are all considered to be safe for children and not containing any adult material or inappropriate material are simply a database or a collection of safe urls that have met the ...
To read the rest of this story click here.
Free Spam Protection Software News
spam protection Software
SpamArrow is a SpamAssassin based spam filter software to block spam email and spam protection ... Download 21-day Free spam protection software for Outlook Express ...
Read more...Antivirus and Antispyware Software - Kaspersky Lab
Makers of anti-virus products, including software and scanners.
Read more...Spam protection free software - SPAM Shredder, Eliminate Spam ...
(FREE and powerful spam protector for Outlook. ... Spam protection free software - SPAM Shredder, Eliminate Spam!, Lockspam Free... March 7, 2005 ...
Read more...Free Spam Protection Software Download
Email Spam Protection For Outlook Express, Outlook & All POP3 Email Clients ... Download SpamWeed Spam Filter Now & Try It For Free ...
Read more...Spam Protection Solutions
... of email anti spam filters (anti spam programs), including Lockspam Pro and Lockspam Free for Outlook, Outlook Express, ... Spam Filter - Free Anti Spam Software ...
Read more...