Fighting Spam Before It Takes Over Your E-Mail
Computer Users Using More Spam-Fighting Software For Protection
POSTED: 2:39 p.m. EDT August 11, 2003
If e-mail spam has you ready to smash your computer, just wait -- it's getting worse. Spammers have a new way to attack, using your computer but there are ways computer users can find protection.
By now, you know about spam, unwanted solicitations that pour into your e-mail box. But you may not know about the spam-sender's newest weapon -- a way to use your e-mail address to send massive amounts of spam.
I receive "thousands of messages every hour [and] over the course of a couple of days," spam victim Chris Shipley said.
Shipley knows her home-based business was nearly shut down when spammers sent e-mail messages by hijacking her e-mail address.
"It makes me look like I'm sending ads for enhancing body parts and buying a house. That's certainly not the business I'm in," Shipley said.
It's far more than just a high-tech annoyance. A new spam tactic can destroy your -- or your businesses' -- good name in a matter of hours. Even Scott Banister, who founded Spam-Fighter Ironport Systems in San Bruno, Calif., said it happened to him.
"This is a very widespread problem. My personal name was used for a big spam flood," Banister said.
Monitoring e-mail 24 hours a day, Ironport makes e-mail gateways to track spam. They're big sellers among computer-driven businesses, according to Banister
But for home computer users, the best bet for protection is to contact Internet service providers and hold onto that spam -- your ISP may be able to track down the source for you. In fact, you may want to get to your e-mail provider before your provider has to get to you first.
"One guy had his Yahoo account shut down because Yahoo thought he was the spammer," Banister said.
Spam-fighting is now big business and Ironport just received $15 million worth of new venture capital funding.
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Previous Stories:
- August 11, 2003: Ohio Man Files 'Spam' Lawsuit
- August 7, 2003: 'Sporn' Is Next Generation Of 'Spam'
- August 5, 2003: Experts: 'Do-Not-Spam' Services Don't Work
- July 29, 2003: Your Name Could Be Used By Spammers
- July 30, 2003: Spam Senders Have A New Weapon
- July 25, 2003: Site Promotes Safe Computing
- July 23, 2003: How Spam E-Mailers Get Personal Info
- July 13, 2003: Spam-Blocking Software Sends Mail Back To Mailer
- July 1, 2003: Some Have Problems With 'Do-Not-Call' List
- June 18, 2003: Spam Hits Cell Phones
- June 16, 2003: Congress Moves To Establish Anti-Spam Registry
- May 13, 2003: Congress To Take On Spam
- April 15, 2003: AOL Files Lawsuits To Stop Spam
- September 16, 2002: Protect Yourself From Spam
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