The Spam and Spam Nots - Who Gets Spam?

This article claims some 60% of 'North Americans' are using spam stoppers (SpamButcher probably accounts for about 18% of that) .

This number is probably a bit out of whack.

First - I suspect less than 60% of all North Americans actually have email accounts. Once you get past that - there's the question of what 'using' means. A very large percentage of ISP's use systems for spam prevention - but I suspect the actual number of people using desktop anti-spam software is much, much lower. The strange thing is that this article points out that 10% - 20% of people don't think they need antispam software - and then suggests that resellers need to help people change that mindset.

This would of course be good for sales - however - I suspect those people are right. I have several email accounts. One of which has a major spam problem, the others much less so.

It seems that if you "keep your head low" - you generally won't have a spam problem - and may not need a spam blocking software application.

With that in mind here's a few tips on keeping your account spam free: Don't post your email address on the web. If you have to - put the text in an image - that way the 'robots' can't get it. Don't let the robots get you!

If you participate on the usenet - get a "throw-away" address. That account is going to get spammed. Alternately - you can change your reply-to address to something like myaddressisjoeatspambutcherdotcom@screwyouspammer.com

Never sign up for any online sweepstakes / etc - on the other hand - if you actually do - you fully deserve the onslaught of spam which will follow.

Never, ever send someone one of those god-forsaken 'free' online greeting cards. You'll get spam, they'll get spam and your water heater will develop a leak.

Never give you real email address when signing up for a job fair or other event (unless you -really- want them to be able to contact you after the fact).

Do get a high quality spam email blocker like SpamButcher.

Try to pick at email that's not perfectly obvious. The downside of course is it's nice to be able to say "I'm steve@yahoo.com" to that attractive individual you just met - on the other hand spammers aren't as likely to hit stevieboy@yahoo.com at random.

When you do get spammed (and you might anyways) - don't, don't, don't 'unsubscribe'. That just tells them that they got a valid email address. If you're lucky - they'll sell it to all their spammer friends.

Don't sign up for one of those "opt-out" services. They are thieves and liars.

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