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How to Avoid
Spam
by
Claire Siskin
"Spam" is unwanted
and unsolicited email. Not only can it be intrusive and
distracting, but
it is often of questionable content. Here are some tips on how to avoid
it:
- Notify your
Internet service
provider (ISP), which may be able to block certain
addresses.
- Never respond
to spam, regardless
of the temptation. Your response only serves to confirm your email
address.
- Do not permit your name
and email address to be used in public web-based
directories.
- When you register for a
product or service online, uncheck the box that says you will be sent
email (unless you really want to be notified by that
company or organization).
- Use a primary
email address
for associates, family, and friends. Use another email
address for listservs
(electronic mailing lists) and chat rooms.This will make it
easier for
you to separate your legitimate messages from spam.
- Set up filters
if your email
software has this capability. Messages with objectionable words can
be filtered into a separate mailbox and discarded.
- Use an email
address with
a combination of letters or numbers. This will lessen the likelihood
that spammers will send you messages aimed at
electronically-generated
email addresses.
Even if you
follow the above
steps, you may not be able to prevent spam altogether. But you should
be able to reduce it by a significant amount.
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