FSU's University Computing Services

University Computing Services

Got Spam??! Fight Back!

Spam is Unsolicited Commercial Email (UCE). Spammers are moving targets, hiding behind fake email addresses. Filters at the mail server level can help, but they can be too tight to let legitimate email in, or too loose that spam still gets by. Also they have to be updated very frequently.

The most common spam can be blocked at the server level, but end users need to be trained on how to deal with spam that gets through.

Filtering spam on the client side, and good policies can help. End-users can take control by learning to set up their own filters or installing anti-spam software. Most email clients have the means to allow users to filter mail with certain words, or email addresses. Also, end-users should keep from signing up for e-mail newsletters with non-professional entities.

Above all, use the DELETE key... it is your best tool!

Some additional tips that can help:

Use your university email address for essential, educational-use only.
Use two email addresses, one for university email and another for other public usage.
Learn how spammers acquire email addresses.
Use steps to hide your email addresses from spammers.
Never click on deceptive unsubscribe and opt-out links in spam emails sent to you and never reply to spam email addresses.
Learn to use email filters. Look for key words in spam emails and add to filters.
Avoid publishing email addresses on your web site. Use a department form instead, or create your own using CGI wrap, or use this escrambler.
Remember that some spam is actually generated by a computer worm which has the ability to spoof the From: field (often set to an address found on the victim machine). Before complaining about someone sending you spam, you may want to expand and check the headers yourself to see where the email actually originated.
Disable Microsoft Outlook preview pane, and don't accept emails with HTML or Java scripts to keep from opening unwanted viruses and spam.
Purchase anti-spam filters such as "I Hate Spam" and McAfee SpamKiller

How did spam get it's name? Check out the Official Website for SPAM lunchmeat.

For more information on fighting spam, see:
http://www.nwfusion.com/research/2002/0513spam.html
http://spam.abuse.net/ - includes tips for end-users (email blocking and filtering software, reporting and tracing spams and hiding addresses)
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/ to purchase anti-spam software "I Hate Spam"
http://spamcop.net/
http://mail-abuse.org/

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about FSU Spam.

FSU Headlines - Spam (available 1/17/03)
* the links to these sites are for information purposes only, FSU/UCS does not recommend or endorse any of these products or services at this time.

A few articles of interest:
-- Brains gather to outsmart spam - 1/17/2003
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1106-981177.html

-- Spam: Has it become a stalemate? - 8/4/2002
http://www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/internet/08/04/spammed.overview.ap/index.html

-- Junk mail causing demand for anti-spam software - 8/5/2002
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2002-08-05-spam_x.htm

If you need additional help with tips above, please contact the OTI Technology Services Help Desk (644-HELP (644-4357)). If you have additional advice for others at FSU, email us with your comments.

~~ If your department would like more information on fighting spam, or like to schedule a presentation, please contact Joseph A. Lazor at (850) 644-0062 or jlazor(at)admin.fsu.edu. Joe is the Assistant Director for Information Resource Management (IRM) at FSU's Office of Technology Integration, FSU's Information Security Manager, and a member of the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) team at FSU.