Spam Belongs In Sandwiches
And Monty Python Sketches
- Not In Your Inbox!
Click here for FREE Junk Filter for Outlook, Express and Mozilla Firefox.
Some Spam may contain genuine offers but often it is just bad marketing. If you don't respond you can help stamp it out. Apart from being a nuisance it poses a potential security threat.
NEVER open attachments or follow links in suspect emails.
Spam can infect your computer and network with harmful viruses. They could also lead you to bogus websites, which can look pretty convincing. The email (and website) can look as if it's originated from your bank, a charity, even your telecoms provider. These scam emails are sent out as part of a criminal activity called 'phishing'. Sounds like 'fishing' but no one is going to let you off the hook if you take the bait. Typically they will tell you that your bank or utility provider has upgraded it's security system and that you need to contact them via a link in the email to confirm your password and personal information. They may even threaten to suspend your account! Click on the link and you'll be taken to a bogus website that may look like the real thing - but it isn't. Even if they don't get your details you may unwittingly download a Trojan, which can snoop around and take control of your computer. Your bank, building society or any bona fide institution will NEVER ask you to follow a link in an email to confirm your security details. If you ever get an email request to follow a link and confirm your password security details online it will be from a cybercriminal! A good junk filter or blocker will help you avoid many of these threats – but it still pays to be on your guard.
You can download and try the excellent
SPAMfighter Pro
free for 30 days.
After the free 30-day trial, home users will have the option to continue using PRO for $29 (€25 Euro, or £17 GBP), or they'll be automatically downgraded to the free SPAMfighter Standard, so there's no risk. Business users can continue to use PRO after paying $29.
How you can help to stop the Junk!
Scam Spam, Junk, Hoax and the curse of Chain Mail
Phishing Filters
Many anti-virus packages now contain a 'phishing filter' which should identify websites which are not actually what they appear or claim to be.
Internet Explorer 7 includes a phishing filter, intended to make browsing safer. If you're using an older version of Internet Explorer, consider upgrading to the latest version. It's FREE.
Use your junk filter, as well as your anti-virus software and firewall and you should be well protected. But if an email looks suspicious don't let curiosity get the better of you. Delete it!
And don't follow any 'unsubscribe' or 'remove' links in suspect emails. All this does is confirm to the spammers that they've found a working email address and you'll get more.
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