6 Steps to Minimise Spam Unsolicited email is littering our Inbox every day. Spam is unsolicited email that is sent to your email address. It is used by many companies around the world as it is an inexpensive way to advertise. Unfortunately, it costs time and money for people to retrieve this unsolicited email - which can number hundreds in a day at its worst. We look at 6 steps to minimise the spam you receive. 1. Be aware of downloaded software Do not install third party software from companies that you have not heard of. Many spyware programs now attach themselves to web pages, asking if you would like to add a date book, precise atomic clock or other helpful programs to your computer. 2. Install anti-spam Software There are a lot of programs on the Internet which claim they can reduce your spam. Some work, and some don't. A recommended program that you can install on your computer is Mail Washer Pro. While you can download the program for a free 30 day trial, to continue using it, there is a subscription fee. To find out more go to http://www.mailwasher.net/. 3. Request a Spam Filter on your Email Address ISP's and Web Hosting providers can implement a spam filter on your email address, however they usually charge an additional monthly fee. Our Coral Hosting service provides you with a virus and spam filter for no additional cost. This is a service we happily offer to our clients to reduce the incidence of spam and viruses. 4. Setup rules in your Email Program Most email programs allow you to identify email as 'Spam', or add senders to a Blocked Senders List. This can be ineffective, as spam is often sent from different accounts over time, and once you add one spam email address, another one pops up in its place. However, if you have a spam filter on your email address you can set up rules to send these messages straight to the Deleted Items folder. Message rules can also be setup to delete items that contain certain words found in spam. Another alternative is to setup a 'white' list in your email program using rules. This white list will only deliver email from recipients you have nominated to your inbox, and delete all the rest. However this must be used with caution, as emails from senders who are not on your 'white' list will be sent straight to the Deleted Items. It is recommended that you periodically check your deleted items list before permanently deleting them. Call or email us to find out how to setup a 'white' list in your email program. 5. Guard Your Details Keep your main email address off any websites, chat rooms, or lists from unknown companies. Once your email address makes it to a spam list, it is very difficult to have it removed. Do not, under any circumstances, respond to "Remove me from your list". The responses are more commonly then on-sold to other Internet Marketers, providing you with more spam down the track. Consider creating a free email account to use for posting in forums or registering at websites, and use your main email address for answering correspondence for business associates, friends and family. 6. Change Your Email Address If all else fails and you are continually receiving spam, the only other recourse is to change your email address. Talk to your ISP or Web Hosting provider about how to change to a different email address. If you haven't already got your own domain name, consider changing to your new and improved email address, yourname@yourcompany.com.au. It really makes a good first impression with clients. A common misconception is that a domain name is expensive. |
Tips to make using a computer easier: If you don't have a mouse with a scroll button in the middle - it may be time to buy one. Scrolling through documents and websites is made quicker and easier! Floppy disks are a thing of the past. Now a great way to transfer files from one computer to another quickly is using a USB thumb drive. It stores a lot more than you can ever fit onto a Floppy Disk, and it's much more reliable. LCD screens are becoming more and more cost effective - and they are much easier on the eyes. Invest in an LCD monitor instead of new reading glasses. Have you run out of USB ports on your computer? A USB Hub is the answer. Computers can have up to 127 USB devices connected, and now it seems we need them, with all the printers, digital cameras and thumb drives now available. However you can use a USB Hub conveniently located on your desk to connect all your USB devices. |
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