Beginner’s SIG - How to Handle Spam
Illustrated Using Outlook Express
May 25, 2006
Spam suggestions - What can you do?
1. Simplest: use the Delete key
Highlight e-mail, Delete. (Preview Pane must be turned off or it is too late)
To turn off the Outlook Express preview pane
View, Layout - Remove checkmark from Show Preview Pane
2. Don't open questionable e-mail
(Outlook Express opens e-mail automatically if the preview pane is turned on.)
Set Outlook Express security to maximum
(may prevent certain attachments from getting through)
Tools, Options, Security
Check Restricted Site Zone
If you must open a suspicious e-mail, use the
"plain text" mode
Tools, Options, Read - Check Read all messages in plain text( (will strip any formatting)
3. Send a complaint to your ISP and/or the offending ISP
Send to abuse@isp.com or postmaster@isp.com
(isp is your server name)
Must send e-mail header to determine real address
EITHER Paste header in forwarded email:
Highlight the Spam mail in Inbox.
File, Properties, Details.
Highlight entire header.
Right Click, Copy.
Forward your message and address to abuse@isp.com.
(isp is your server name)
Paste header into beginning of forwarded message.
OR Forward spam email as attachment
Highlight the Spam mail in Inbox,
4. Using filters (Beginner’s SIG Notes Feb. 9, 2006) to catch obvious or objectionable spam.
Don't Allow spammers to use your computer as a "zombie" (proxy server)
Use a Firewall
1. Go to this web site for a free version of ZoneAlarm http://www.zonelabs.com/
2. Click Also Available Zone Alarm in Right Hand Column
3. Download and Save to Disk.
4. Virus Scan before opening. (Zone Alarm is virus free but you should get into this habit.)
Friendly Spam – “Send this to everyone in your address book to warn them . . .”
Messages that come from friends than warn you about some dire event or that urge you to send the message to everyone in your address most likely is a hoax. Check the websites below to know if you should be cluttering cyberspace with hundreds of messages.
· http://urbanlegends.about.com
· http://www.scambusters.org/legends.html
· http://www.factcheck.org (political content)
· http://www.breakthechain.org (chain letters)