|
Spam Filter Expert >> Block Email Spam >> Handling Your Existing Spam
What to do with the spam you have
Despite your best efforts, you no doubt have received e-mail and instant messages you didn't ask for. Here's what you can do about all that junk.
- Delete junk e-mail messages without opening them.
- Don't reply to spam unless. This includes not responding to such messages that offer an option to "Remove me from your list." Do not “unsubscribe” unless the mail is from a known or trusted sender.
- Think twice before opening attachments or clicking links in e-mail or instant messages, even if you know the sender. If you cannot confirm with the sender that an attachment or link is safe, delete the message. If you must open an attachment that you're less than sure about, save it to your hard disk first so that your antivirus software can check it before you open it.
- Don't buy anything from sites or give to any charity that is promoted by spam - if spam is profitable they will continue to do it! Spammers often swap or sell the e-mail addresses of those who have bought from them, so buying something through spam may result in even more spam.
- Don't forward chain e-mail messages. Not only do you lose control over who sees your e-mail address, but you also may be furthering a hoax or aiding in the delivery of a virus.
Plus, there are a number of reports that spammers start chain letters expressly to gather e-mail addresses.
|
