Geek Spot Number 7 By Jeff Timm

Hi! I’m Jeff Timm, personal computer user since 1983. My wife Holly insisted I share my knowledge and answer your basic computer hardware questions.

SPAM: 1. Canned meat 2. Unsolicited E-mail usually advertising major swindles looking for victims.

Bologna: Solicited E-mail advertisements you were silly enough to ask for.

Most asked question: How do I stop this SPAM?

First, it’s not your fault. Spam is generated by programs, which cruise the web hunting E-mail addresses. Rules:

1. NEVER reply to Spam. This just confirms a good address and you will get even more Spam.
2. NEVER follow the instructions to be removed from the Spam list. See above.
3. NEVER call any phone numbers even if the Spam promises to remove you from the mailing list. These numbers are usually charge back services which will send a bill to your phone company, which will put it on your phone bill and it is exceedingly difficult to get a refund from the phone company, because they get a cut of the action.
4. NEVER purchase goods or services, no matter how inviting, from a Spammer. At best they are dirty rotten scoundrels.

What can be done?

1. Start with your ISP. Check out the homepage of your Internet Service Provider and start forwarding your Spam to the appropriate authority. Almost every ISP has someone to complain to, you just have to find it under customer service.
2. Write your congresscritter, I have mixed feelings about this, and various states have Spam laws being fought through the court system. I really don’t think government intervention is a good or logical solution. Ignoring the crooks is the best policy, eventually they will go away.
3. http://spamcop.net/ This is a site dedicated to stopping Spam. Check it out and see if you want to spend the time and effort required. They also have paid services, which can filter your mail.

Remember: Killing Spammers is bound to get you talked about, and a decent defense team will start at $250,000.