5 Tips to Help Reduce Spam

Here are a few simple steps to help you reduce the chance of being targeted by spammers:

1. Use another e-mail address
When it’s compulsory to enter an e-mail address on a website, avoid using the main e-mail address that you usually send from. Instead, create a free web-based e-mail account (using a provider like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo etc.) and use that address instead, to keep your main account as spam-free as possible.

2. Educate your staff
To save the stress on your company e-mail system and staff productivity, encourage all staff members to also heed the advice in the previous point and not use their company e-mail address on websites.

3. Read the fine print
When you do supply your email address on a website, read the entire page very carefully before clicking any button that will submit your details. Some sites pre-tick boxes that say that you allow your address to be given to third party companies.

4. Don’t unsubscribe
Opening, replying to, or even clicking on bogus unsubscribe links in spam e-mail, only confirms to the spammers that your address is being actively used. This is a great way to stay on their lists. Only reply or unsubscribe to messages from companies that you know, or those which have anti-spam policies in place.

5. Use a spam-filter
Check if your Internet provider offers any spam-protection, or investigate a third-party solution. They range from ‘gateway’-type services (which catch the spam before it gets to your email systems), to software installed on your own computer.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about how good Internet habits and technology solutions can reduce the impact of spam on your Inbox and on your day.