Spam

What is spam?

According to About.com, Spam is unsolicited email sent to you by an individual or company that you have never dealt with before. It is also a mass mailing sent to a group or online forum, regardless of the topic or focus of that group. The term spam comes from an old comedy sketch where the waitress serves her customers spam, regardless of what they want, the same way that spam senders send you their messages even though it isn’t what you want. About.com does mention that when speaking about Spam (the canned meat), a capital S is used. When talking about spam (the junk mail), a lower case s is used.

For a complete definition of spam, check out the Spam Abuse web site at: What is spam? http://spam.abuse.net/overview/whatisspam.shtml

How Spam a problem?

Spam is a problem for a number of reasons. The first of these is that spam costs the sender nothing, which costs the consumer even more. AOL and other internet service providers have to find some way to compensate for the costs of handling the “average of 10 million spam emails sent” a day. (AOL.com). The receiver of spam therefor does not only lose time dealing with these unwanted messages, but hard earned money as well. Spam is also a problem because dealing with this huge volume of unwanted mail also creates a drag on all emails being sent. Think of it as a highway. The roads are built to accommodate so many cars. As more and more people start driving those roads, the heavier traffic becomes, and the slower we move. The more and more companies and individuals that send spam, the more the roads are clogged and the slower our wanted emails move. Spam is also a problem because many messages are inappropriate for most audiences. I cannot check my AOL account at school for fear of the subject lines alone in the spam sent to me. I’ve never actually opened any of these messages, but can only imagine the links or even pictures I might find if I ever did. Finally, spam wastes resources as well. Often times, to avoid hassles, spam senders bounce their mail off of other, innocent companies. These companies then have to use their resources to get this practice to end and to field the many complaints they receive from the receivers.

To read more about the problems of spam, go to the About.com website: http://netforbeginners.about.com/library/101/spam/bl_spam_whybad.htm

How can you avoid Spam?

Spam can be avoided. There are a number of ways to avoid spam and to lessen the number of spam messages you already receive. First of all, be cautious before joining discussion lists, mailing lists, and shopping online. Check the site’s security information before putting your name on list. Searching for these lists is a major way that spammers get your email address. Investigating in a filter program, or an ISP with a filter program can also help. Filter programs go through your mail for you, getting rid of the spam so you don’t have to. Adjusting the security settings on your web browser may serve the same purpose as well.

What can I do about Spam?

Youv’e been spammed. Now what? Try these ways to help you get rid of the spam. Create a dummy account can help you to prevent spam. If there are groups and list that you would like to join, get a free email address that you wouldn’t mind the spam coming to. Also, work with your ISP. On AOL, you can report and block spam. It just takes a few clicks and AOL is informed of the spam. This helps to really diminish the volume of spam in your in box. Just remember, stay within the law and use caution. Some of the “requests to take name off of mailing list” are bogus, and will only lead to more trouble.

What does the law say?

As of now, the law has not come very far in the battle against spam. The state of Maryland created a law in 2002 making it illegal “to send a commercial email message that uses a third party’s domain name without permission; that contains false or misleading subject line.” In other words, spammers cannot bounce their messages off of another companies system anymore. The fine for this is $500, a slap on the wrist, if they get caught. The Federal Government is currently working on Legislation as well. The Can-Spam act would mimic the National Do Not Call Registry if approved and would also require spam message to contain honest instructions as to how to take your name off of their lists.

For more information on what the law has to say, go to the Spam Laws websites: http://spamlaws.com/us.html