10 Tips for Reducing Spam
Thursday, January 2, 2003 by Deriamis | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
I'm getting the feeling that people are getting upset with the SPAM situation. I have to admit that I don't get much spam anymore - because I learned a few lessons:
1. Do NOT use SpamCop! It's too aggressive (they say so). Most people can just delete SPAM or use blacklists.
2. Create a blacklist or get one from a public site. Search for them on Google...you'll find a good one.
3. Use SpamRecycle (www.spamrecycle.com). They have a special email address you can use in those sites which require you to give an email address to access a page.
4. Use your Address Lists. If you base your filters on them, you'll get a lot less SPAM to begin with.
5. Make up a code that people have to include in the subject line, and have a filter check for it. Those people who use your code are put in a special box where you can add them to your address list.
6. Filter out classic keywords. You can also get wordlists like this online.
7. If possible, give a reply message to those people who have not been filtered out saying they need a code included in the subject line of their message in order to get in contact with you. These emails should be kept in a Bulk bin or the like so you can check on whether they are people you want to talk to. Whatever you do, do NOT put the code in your reply message.
8. Do NOT publish your main email address! Use another account for this purpose, and use the code system.
9. NEVER NEVER NEVER use the "remove" link in spam emails. This only validates your email address and gets you even more spam!
10. If you can, get on a mail server that has spambusting capabilities. Even Yahoo is fairly good at this, but do NOT use Hotmail! MSN is OK (you like MSN?). Some real good ones are www.wackyb.co.nz and www.mailcircuit.com (recommended by SpamRecycle).
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other ideas on reducing SPAM!
1. Do NOT use SpamCop! It's too aggressive (they say so). Most people can just delete SPAM or use blacklists.
2. Create a blacklist or get one from a public site. Search for them on Google...you'll find a good one.
3. Use SpamRecycle (www.spamrecycle.com). They have a special email address you can use in those sites which require you to give an email address to access a page.
4. Use your Address Lists. If you base your filters on them, you'll get a lot less SPAM to begin with.
5. Make up a code that people have to include in the subject line, and have a filter check for it. Those people who use your code are put in a special box where you can add them to your address list.
6. Filter out classic keywords. You can also get wordlists like this online.
7. If possible, give a reply message to those people who have not been filtered out saying they need a code included in the subject line of their message in order to get in contact with you. These emails should be kept in a Bulk bin or the like so you can check on whether they are people you want to talk to. Whatever you do, do NOT put the code in your reply message.
8. Do NOT publish your main email address! Use another account for this purpose, and use the code system.
9. NEVER NEVER NEVER use the "remove" link in spam emails. This only validates your email address and gets you even more spam!
10. If you can, get on a mail server that has spambusting capabilities. Even Yahoo is fairly good at this, but do NOT use Hotmail! MSN is OK (you like MSN?). Some real good ones are www.wackyb.co.nz and www.mailcircuit.com (recommended by SpamRecycle).
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other ideas on reducing SPAM!
Aqua.
Reply #2 Thursday, January 2, 2003 6:56 PM
Reply #2 Thursday, January 2, 2003 6:56 PM
When it works, MainWasher ROCKS.
Unfortunately, it crashes on startup half the time, and crashes while checking half the remaining time, and crashes half of the remaining time of the remaining time while filtering the mail.
Unfortunately, it crashes on startup half the time, and crashes while checking half the remaining time, and crashes half of the remaining time of the remaining time while filtering the mail.
Koasati
Reply #3 Friday, January 3, 2003 12:05 AM
Reply #3 Friday, January 3, 2003 12:05 AM
Using the beta? 1.33 gives me no trouble. The beta gave me fits.... when it lost my blacklist, and friends list, I went back to 1.33. The beta has been resently updated.......... but I'm thinking I'll wait. 
ToeJo
Reply #4 Friday, January 3, 2003 12:12 AM
Reply #4 Friday, January 3, 2003 12:12 AM
MailWasher has virtually solved my problem. It's simple. Easy to setup and although I have had a few crashes, I am using the beta version. Good software is hard to find these days. Effective FREE software is nearly impossible. This is effective, free, easy to use software. And did I mention that it works? I think I'll go and make my $20 donation now! 
Jafo
Reply #5 Friday, January 3, 2003 12:19 AM
Reply #5 Friday, January 3, 2003 12:19 AM
ToeJoe...I may be sending him some money too....it looks like it may be an answer to that horrid problem of 'get a bigger penis' 'buy viagra now' etc....
craeonics
Reply #6 Friday, January 3, 2003 8:58 AM
Reply #6 Friday, January 3, 2003 8:58 AM
#12 - Get your ISP to install a spamfilter on the mailserver. Catches virtually all spam (and occasionally some non-spam as well).
werewolf
Reply #7 Friday, January 3, 2003 10:55 AM
Reply #7 Friday, January 3, 2003 10:55 AM
Craeonics, yeah that's a big problem with ISP installed spam filters. Mine was blocking all my tech newsletters.
Deriamis
Reply #8 Friday, January 3, 2003 2:13 PM
Reply #8 Friday, January 3, 2003 2:13 PM
Ahh, so I did forget to mention getting software that blocks SPAM locally, didn't I? I never have heard of MailWasher, but I have heard of some other SPAM-blockers. Of course, it's been a while since I was Ruler of the Entire Internet. It took me years to get that title...
Would you believe Emperor of Search Engines? No? Bother.
Anyway, I really do want to hear about any SPAM-reducing techniques you have. I'm building it into part of my website since I'll have a mailing list or two. Nothing to see yet, but when there is, I'll be sure to provide a link.
Would you believe Emperor of Search Engines? No? Bother.
Anyway, I really do want to hear about any SPAM-reducing techniques you have. I'm building it into part of my website since I'll have a mailing list or two. Nothing to see yet, but when there is, I'll be sure to provide a link.
deleted
Reply #9 Friday, January 3, 2003 7:47 PM
Reply #9 Friday, January 3, 2003 7:47 PM
One thing that I do is when I am required to give my e-mail address, I have a secondary address that I use to sign up with. I also enter my name as (for example: "David (RealOne Player)" That way I can tell where the spam is coming from when they email me with the name
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Reply #1 Thursday, January 2, 2003 5:25 PM