What is Spam?

Last Updated: 26/11/08

Information on what spam is and how to prevent it

Tips on how to generally prevent Spam

Never make a purchase from an unsolicited email as this funds future spam
Delete email from unknown senders
Never respond to spam even to unsubscribe from the mailing lists
Use the “bcc” field if you email many people at once. The “bcc” or blind copy field allows for the list of recipients to be hidden from other users.
Never publish email addresses on websites, newsgroups etc. Spammers use programs to surf the Internet and find addresses in such places.
Only provide main email addresses to trusted people and organisations.

Spam is unsolicited commercial email. Spam is profitable as spammers can send millions of emails in a single operation for a negligible cost. If even only one out of ten thousand makes a purchase then the spammer has profited.

Common types of spam include:

Qualifications – university degrees or professional titles available for purchase
Financial services – mortgages, loans or debt reducing schemes
Share price booster schemes.
On-line gambling
Cut price or pirate software

What is Spam?

Tips on how to generally prevent Spam

Common types of spam include:

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