coursmod

Instructional Web Activity created by JoAnn Floyd

Spam can

Objective	Students will explore several Websites to determine the definition of spam and to review the current federal legislation regarding it.
Objective	Students will identify tips to help minimize the amount of spam one receives and review information about the different types of SPAM filters

Introduction

Spam, it's not just for breakfast anymore! We hear about spam all the time, but are we all talking the same language? It's said that one person's junk is another person's treasure. Does the same rule apply to junk mail on the internet? Most of my friends consider unsolicited email to be a real nuisance. In my house, we do everything in our power to keep it from gracing our inboxes. Even with all our efforts to rid our computers of this nasty stuff, a few savvy spammers manage to sneak their messages through almost every day. Maybe, I'm not using the right filter, or maybe the perfect filter just hasn't been created yet. There are a variety of things that internet users can do to reduce the amount of spam they receive. Many Websites are devoted to helping people better understand spam and what they can do to keep it out of their inboxes.

Activity

Spend some time visiting these Websites to learn more about spam. Check out the numerous definitions for spam. There's almost as many definitions as there were spam emails in my inbox last week! There are several good tips out there to ensure that you won't become a spam magnet. Learn what you can do to keep your computer (almost) spam-free. If that's not enough, find out about the different types of spam filters you can install. Last, but not least, know your rights as an Internet user. Read and think about the current anti-spam legislation.

Defining Spam

         There are many definitions on the Web. Explore some of them, and then determine your own definition for spam.
         isp.webopedia.com
         http://isp.webopedia.com/TERM/s/spam.html
         Spam Defined
         http://www.monkeys.com/spam-defined/
         The Spamhaus Project
         http://www.spamhaus.org/definition.html

Minimizing Spam

        There are some simple and inexpensive (free) things you can do to minimize the amount of spam you receive.             Check out the information at these Websites to learn more.
Dealing with Spam
http://www.whichspamfilter.com/DealingWithSpam.htm
Spam at University of Hartford
        http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/www/spam.htm
        CNS: Web Page Spam
        http://cns.utoronto.ca/UTORprotect/spam.html

Spam Filters

Many email programs, like Netscape Messenger and Microsoft Outlook Express, provide spam filtering services for free. If your provider doesn't offer this service or additional filtering is warranted, there are several types of spam filters available for purchase. Learn about content-based, whitelist/blacklist, challenge/response, community, and Bayesian filters at WHICHSPAMFILTER.COM http://www.whichspamfilter.com/TypesOfFilters.htm
This site also provides product reviews. For additional product reviews, read Logan Harbaugh's article in the June 2004 issue of PC World magazine, "Spam-proof Your In-Box."
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,115885,00.asp

Federal and State Laws

Since 1999, several spam oriented bills have been introduced to Congress. In 2003, the Federal government enacted legislation known as the CAN-SPAM act of 2003. In addition , 37 states have also enacted legislation. For more information about these laws and a summary of the federal law, visit Spam Laws: United States
http://www.spamlaws.com/us.shtml

Assignment

Go to the Discussion section on Blackboard entitled "Spam" and in approximately 300 words, provide your definition of spam and at least 4 tips to minimize its influx. Choose three types of spam filters and briefly explain how each of them works. Select one or two commercially available filters to reccommend for purchase and support your choice with evidence from the online reviews. Share your opinion of the federal law regarding spam. Do you think it is sufficient or not? Explain your rationale.

After you have posted your entry, feel free to read and respond to other entries.

Submit - Notify your instructor by email that you have posted your entry on the discussion board.

Other
Sites

Only My Email
http://www.onlymyemail.com/faqs/spam_defined/

Newfangled Web Factory
http://www.newfangled.com/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/3521

Rubric	1	2	3
Definition	brief statement that reflects only a minimal understanding of the Web definitions	Statement demonstrates an understanding of the Web definitions and provides student's own perspective	Well crafted definition demonstrates a thorough understanding of the Web definitions and a synthesis that includes the student's own perspective
Tips	tips are unclear and ambiguous and/or there are less than 4 tips	4 or more easy to follow tips	4 or more clear tips are provided and a brief description which details the reasoning behind each suggestion
Filters	brief statement about each of 3 types of filters is given	each type of filter is described and a product is reccommended	a description which demonstrates a complete understanding of each filter is given A product is reccommended and rationale is is established to support the choice
Laws	opinion is unclear	opinion clearly states an agreement with or opposition to the federal law.	clear opinion is given and a brief explanation is provided

ISTE
Standards

This course activity addresses the following ISTE Standards.

I. TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS AND CONCEPTS.
Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations and concepts. Teachers:

demonstrate introductory knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts related to technology (as described in the ISTE National Education Technology Standards for Students)
demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies.

V. PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE.
Teachers use technology to enhance their productivity and professional practice. Teachers:

use technology resources to engage in ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.