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What can I do against Spam?
- What can I do against Spam?
If your e-mail address has found its way into a spammer’s database, there is practically nothing you can do to get it out again – particularly in the case of foreign address collectors. However, there are still numerous things you can do to protect yourself against spam, even if you can't avoid it completely.
- Treat your personal data with care
Treat your e-mail address with care. Be careful who you give your e-mail address to (e.g. in chat-rooms), which listings you join and which websites you sign up to. Always think about whether you want to pass on all the data you are asked for when registering on a website, or only that data which the website operator has marked as compulsory.
- Take note of data protection policies
Read the policy which is laid down on many websites regarding how visitors’ data is handled, and only pass on your data if you agree with the appropriate regulations. Pay particular attention to whether the website operator states in their policy if they will only use the data for their own purposes of if they may pass it on to third parties. On registration pages, also watch out for boxes which have already been checked and allow the company to provide you with "product information". Many Internet providers now give you the option of specifying whether you want to receive publicity material or not.
- Special marking in directories
When making an entry in a public directory, you are often given the option of checking a box if you do not want to receive unsolicited advertising.
- Multiple e-mail accounts
Using a second or third e-mail address can help reduce spam attacks. Keep one e-mail address in reserve which you always give out when you suspect that you may be troubled by spam from the recipient (e.g. when entering competitions, registering on a new website etc.). If, however, you do not receive any spam or you know that it is a serious provider, you can always give them your second e-mail address at a later date. This helps to some extent to separate spam e-mails from those you actually want to receive and enables you to collect them under a separate e-mail address.
- No chain e-mails
Never take part in games or practical jokes which are forwarded by e-mail to other users. Do not pass on hoaxes (e.g. virus warnings). If you want to send an e-mail to more than one user, put these e-mail addresses in the bcc (blind carbon copy) field so that they cannot be viewed by anybody else. If somebody sends you an e-mail with a number of visible addresses, alert them to this bcc procedure.
- No read notifications
Codes can be hidden in HTML e-mails which notify spammers when somebody has read their e-mail. The spammer can then see that your e-mail address is valid. Switch off read notification, use an e-mail program which also allows you to deactivate HTML or add a plug-in to Outlook or Outlook Express which you can use to turn off HTML.
- No opt-out
Spam e-mails often contain a link whereby you are supposed to be able to unregister from the address list. On the contrary, this actually confirms to spammers that your e-mail address is valid and you are sent even more advertising.
- No visible e-mail addresses on websites
Address collectors search through websites for e-mail addresses. If you have your own website, it is recommended that you hide your e-mail address. Use contact forms or another alternative method so that visitors to your site can get in touch with you.
- Filters/Tools
It is possible to filter out spam to a certain extent, or to use special tools to delete spam without having to spend time and effort doing it yourself. E.g. it is advisable to filter mails containing executable file extensions in attachments.
- Access protection
Protect your server against unauthorized access from outside by instigating appropriate technical and administrative measures (firewall, correct use of passwords etc.) so that it cannot be misused by spammers as a relay for sending spam.
