MySpamArchive - help stamp out spam

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The CAN-SPAM act began effective 1 January 2004.

Here’s a summary of the act:

Bans false or misleading header information.

Prohibits deceptive subject lines

Requires that your email give recipients an opt-out method

Requires that commercial email be identified as an advertisement and include the sender’s valid physical postal address

Additional rules include:

* “Harvesting” email addresses from Web sites or Web services that have published a notice prohibiting the transfer of email addresses for the purpose of sending email <- this might give spammers a way to slide under the radar

* generate email addresses using a “dictionary attack” � combining names, letters, or numbers into multiple permutations

* use scripts or other automated ways to register for multiple email or user accounts to send commercial email

* relay emails through a computer or network without permission � for example, by taking advantage of open relays or open proxies without authorization.

The law allows the DOJ to seek criminal penalties, including imprisonment, for commercial emailers who do � or conspire to:

* use another computer without authorization and send commercial email from or through it

* use a computer to relay or retransmit multiple commercial email messages to deceive or mislead recipients or an Internet access service about the origin of the message

* falsify header information in multiple email messages and initiate the transmission of such messages

* register for multiple email accounts or domain names using information that falsifies the identity of the actual registrant

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/canspam.htm

As far as I am concerned, this is the worst of the worst. When a program is installed on your computer that can monitor and control your computer use.

For me, I have found that I can no longer access the symantec.com website.

Spyware can monitor your internet usage, record keystrokes, redirect your computer to websites, and send pop up ads.

Here’s some info that the government provides at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/spywarealrt.htm

The clues that spyware is on a computer include:

* a barrage of pop-up ads
* a hijacked browser � that is, a browser that takes you to sites other than those you type into the address box
* a sudden or repeated change in your computer�s Internet home page
* new and unexpected toolbars
* new and unexpected icons on the system tray at the bottom of your computer screen
* keys that don�t work (for example, the �Tab� key that might not work when you try to move to the next field in a Web form)
* random error messages
* sluggish or downright slow performance when opening programs or saving files

Here’s the suggestions they have to minimize or prevent spyware from being installed on your computer.

- Install a personal firewall to stop uninvited users from accessing your computer.

- Don�t click on links in spam that claim to offer anti-spyware software. (Seems ironic, doesn’t it?)

- Don�t click on any links within pop-up windows

- Minimize �drive-by� downloads. Set your browser security high enough to prevent unwanted downloads.

- Make sure you only install software that you know exactly what it is.

- Download free software only from sites you know and trust.

- Stay up to date on your operapting system, browser, and security patches.

Well, not yet anyways.

In September 2004, the Federal Trade Commission issued a report on whether a system that rewards people for tracking down spammers would help fight spam.

FTC has noted there are three issues:

1. Identify and locate the spammers
2. Get enough evidence to prove the spammer is legally responsible
3. Set up a monetary reward

My understanding of the moneray reward is that the best candidates to identify and report spammers are spammers themselves.

These “whistleblowers” have the inside information to put away their “counterparts".

Of course, a spammer turning on another spammer would like a high amount of compensation. The report goes on to say that an amount in the $100k to $250k would likely be enough.

Here’s some interesting comments about why spammers themselves would be the most likely candidates:

Most notably, the report states that persons most likely to identify a spammer and provide evidence � what it terms �high-value� information � would be �whistleblowers� or �insiders� � personal or business associates of the spammers themselves. Some have suggested that so-called �cybersleuths� � persons with above-average technical skill and knowledge of computers and the Internet � could track down spammers, but the FTC concludes that is not likely. According to the report, cybersleuths may be able to employ their sometimes considerable talents and expertise to construct educated guesses linking seemingly unrelated spam to a common source. For example, it is sometimes possible for these individuals to identify similarities in factual patterns found in spam messages, Web sites, and header information. However, much of this sleuthing is based on intuition or other inadmissible perceptions, does not definitively identity the spammer, and would not constitute admissible evidence in an enforcement action. The report further explains that because cybersleuths do not have the power to issue or enforce subpoenas, in most instances they cannot legally obtain and supply to the Commission admissible evidence of a spammer�s identity, whereabouts, or level of illegal activity. Many of the critical pieces of information necessary to prove these issues are in the possession of third parties � banks, payment processors, Internet service providers, and others � that will not or cannot provide them to private citizens like cybersleuths who have no subpoena power. Insiders, however, are often privy to this kind of evidence and would not need compulsory process to obtain it.

You can read the full spammer bounty article at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/09/bounty.htm

This FTC Consumer Alert article says that there is not such thing as a national do not email registry. If you have signed up for a service such as this, you have likely been scammed. Forward the email to the U.S. governement

Have you heard radio advertisements or seen a Web site or email that claims to offer a “national do not email registry?” Don’t believe the hype, according to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) attorneys who are experts at fighting spam email.

Recently, the FTC reported that a national do not email registry would not be effective at this time for a number of reasons, including the high risk that it would result in more in-box clutter because illegal spammers would use the registry as a “do spam” list. The FTC advises consumers not to submit their email addresses to any organization that claims to be creating a do not spam list.

If you have already submitted your email address to a “national do not email registry” that promises to reduce the amount of spam you receive, you may be the victim of a scam. The FTC is concerned that some sites could be part of a high-tech scam to trick consumers into disclosing their email address or other sensitive personal information. The site may be a ruse to collect valid email addresses to sell to spammers. The result could be even more spam for consumers who sign up for the “registry.” Or, it may be even worse - some scammers have collected information through bogus Web sites that mimic those of legitimate organizations, and then use the information to commit identity theft.

Should you get an unsolicited email claiming to represent a “do not email registry,” an organization to stop spam, or even the FTC itself, forward it to the FTC at spam@uce.gov. If you believe you have been scammed, file your complaint at www.ftc.gov, then visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft to learn how to minimize your risk of damage from identity theft.

This come from http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/dnealrt.htm

Estimates vary, but here’s a quote from Newsweek - Crammed with Spam

“AT&T WorldNet says it rejects 10 million to 12 million e-mails a day because the addresses don’t match real users’–a sure sign that spammers are at work. “

Spam filter is the solution that most people resort to when they try to stem the flood of junk mails and spam.

However, there is a problem!

First: Some spam will still get through.
Second: Some legitimate mails will be stopped as spam.

And that legitimate messages get caught in the spam filters is a big problem. It is a big problem for both the sender and for the receiver. If you use POP accounts on your ISP or use free email accounts like Hotmail you will sometimes be forced to use their spam filters. You are often not even told that legitimate messages may be deleted.

Why will they get stopped?
There are several reasons!

Spam filters may give red flag to an email simply because it contains words which the filters also find in spam messages.

Often newsletters you sign up to get blocked because too many messages are sent out at the same time or some subscriber have complained accusing the sender of spamming. The rules of the spam filters changes over time as this is an ever going arms race between the spammers and the anti spam filter manufacturer.

So how can you stop the flood of spam hitting your email account?

Simple, you have to go stealth!

Look at email spamming as a war.

Using spam filters is like putting on armor. It gives you protection, but it will also cost you and give you less flexibility.

The spam sending gangs, there are estimated to be fewer than hundred worldwide, machine gun bombard only email accounts which they can find.
This means that if they can’t find your email address they can’t spam you.

So how do they find you?
Contrary to popular beliefs they don’t find your email address because you sign up to a newsletter or to legal product information.

Instead they collect or harvest email from web sites using spam boots. The spam boots works in a similar way as web content collecting search engine spiders except they only collect email addresses. They also collect email address from address books found inside email software like Outlook or Eudora. They do this by using viruses and spywares.

Your solution to avoid getting on their lists is to go stealth and become invisible to the spammers!
What do I mean by that?
Simple you hide your email address or addresses from the email harvesting spam boots. But at the same time if you have your own web site you want your viewers to be able to read or click on your contact email.

One common solution is to rewrite the email address on the web site.
Let’s say you email is: info@mysite.com
You can rewrite the address as info@REMOVEmysite.com, info @ mysite.com, infoATmysite.com or something similar. The email address is then readable by human viewers, not by the spammers. The downside of this method is that the email address is not clickable from your web site.

Another method which is preferred by commercial web sites is to use a contact form that also hides the address from the spammers.

One solution which I use and have found to work well is to hide the address from the spam boots with java script. The address then becomes clickable for the viewers. You can learn how to use java script and hide your email addresses from the spammers at http://www.data-backup-and-storage.com/stop-spam.html

You should also use firewall and anti virus software as a protection so that spammers don’t get access to the email addresses from within your computer. As an extra precaution you should also use spyware removal software. This will remove possible spyware from your computer. All this measures should protect you from spammers and their spying eyes.

However, be careful! With this method in order to work you should adopt a strict email discipline and limit the number of people with access to your email addresses and not spread them around.

But, what if your emails already have been spread into the spammers mailing lists?

It is important to understand that the spammers want new and fresh email addresses.
Therefore they continuously harvest the Internet for addresses.

The answer is, use Google!
With Google you will find the web pages on which your email addresses are located. Just perform consecutive searches using Google typing in one of your email address in the search box.

You can then contact the owners of those sites and ask them to remove the email address.

Result:
The spam will not stop immediately, but after a couple of months the flow will start to recede.

The author, Per Strandberg, works with computer security and he also manage an information site dealing with data backup technology. Learn working data backup strategies at ==> http://www.data-backup-and-storage.com/computer-backup.html

Discover different ways to get rid of spam at ==> http://www.data-backup-and-storage.com/stop-spam.html

Summary: Excellent ideas on how to eliminate spam from your inbox.

Email is the standard means of communication among businesses, associates, and even friends. While many people have now been using the internet and email for years, there are thousands of new users on the internet each day. With inexpensive web hosting, free email services, and the blog burst upon us, getting your own slice of the internet pie has never been easier.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for a refresher course, or you’re new to the internet and email and want to start off right, here are some easy steps to follow to reduce the amount of spam you receive.

(1) Don’t choose an obvious email address. Spammers will generate lists of email addresses based on common names. A common list would be something like: nick@yahoo.com, nick1@yahoo.com, nick2@yahoo.com, etc. If you create an email account with less obvious combinations of your name plus some numbers, chances are better that you won’t find your way onto one of these lists.

(2) Treat your personal email address with care. Only give out your personal email address to close friends and family who you trust. Give your direct business email only to clients and other contacts you trust to only use your address for legitimate business purposes.

(3) Use different accounts for different functions. Create different aliases with your business’s domain name or create a few free accounts from free email servers like Hotmail, Yahoo!, Excite, etc. Use one account that you don’t care about for posting to forums or discussion groups. Use another to subscribe to newsletters and newsgroups. When any of these addresses starts to get spammed too heavily, simply delete the account and switch to a different one.

(4) Remove your email address from your website. Between blogs and cheap web space, it seems everyone has their own piece of cyberspace. Before you put a link to your email address on your site, remember that spammers have bots that harvest these addresses. They will even find addresses printed in plain text. Consider using a web-based form for communication from you website, or place your address as a gif or jpeg.

(5) Do NOT open, respond to, or purchase from spam. Interacting with spam in any of these ways indicates to the spammer that not only is your address valid, it’s also active. Do not respond with “unsubscribe” in the subject line, or click on any links to remove your name out of the database, as both of these are common ploys to confirm your email address. Remember, because sending email is so inexpensive, spamming can be profitable even if only a small percentage of people purchase what they’re selling. Don’t support what you’re trying to stop.

(6) Finally, Filter your incoming email using filtering software. Even if you guard your email address religiously, you’ll likely still receive spam. Filtering software is usually inexpensive and effective, but there are some important features to consider with any filtering package:

* Make sure you can control what comes to your inbox and what gets deleted. The best programs create a spam folder for you to review before permanently deleting emails.

* The software should block images from incoming emails. Many jpegs in spam actually hide code that notifies the spammer when the email is viewed. Blocking images will not only keep offensive content off your screen but will also help prevent more spam in the future.

* Choose software that provides you with updates - as new spamming techniques are created and proliferated, filtering software should keep up.

While eliminating spam from coming to your email address is next to impossible, following these simple steps will mean you’ll have to spend less time deleting spam from your inbox, giving you more time for the important things of life –- like reading this article.

Nick Smith is a client account specialist with 10xMarketing.com - More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. Find more information about how to filter spam at http://www.contentwatch.com/features/filter-spam.php.

We all have it and we all hate it. It’s something that is part of our online experience almost every single day.

Spam.

Let’s get rid of it.