virtualkeeper.com

SPAM is a persistant problem on the web and clogs it up by using valuable traffic space, not to mention the valuable time of those who receive it. Honestly, who would buy a product that is preceded by 250 unrelated keywords and then an advertisement for some pharmacy in Siberia? It still amazes us that it apparently works or they would quit doing it.

There are three steps to limiting SPAM:

1. Install the RBL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNSBL) option on your server through your control panel and also install SPAM Assassin using your control panel if you are hosted with our servers.

2. Use your rules tool in your e-mail client. For instance, if you keep getting SPAM that mentions a certain type of medication then make a rule that any e-mail containing that word automatically goes to the deleted or trash folders. For those with SPAM Assassin, make a rule that all e-mail containing ***SPAM*** in the subject line goes to the delete folder. Proper use of an e-mail client can drastically reduce your incidence of SPAM but do be careful to scan your deleted items folder before emptying it in case a good or wanted e-mail has been placed there by mistake. Try arranging by name in order to better scan the senders.

3. Sign up with a site like Project Honeypot and help catch SPAM harvesters in the act. It's easy to do and whether or not it helps, it is a good thing to at least fight back and show others that you are fed up with it. Here's a link via the button that will take you straight there.

 Finally, don't reply to SPAM and demand that you are to be taken off their list unless you know for sure it is a company that is "real" and even then check the sender's e-mail for a legit domain. When you reply to SPAM and ask to be taken off, illegitimate companies then will resell the address as being a good, known address. Also, use care in where you advertise your e-mail such as forums, e-mail lists or newsgroups (which usually archive to a web page) or guest boards. Use something like sales AT virtualkeeper DOT com or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . This last process is called "munging" and is useful in at least making a SPAMbot send things to the wrong address.