The World of Grandpa Don

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Tips for handling Spam
From the Symantec web site.

Do not respond to suspicious spammed emails. A response only confirms the accuracy of your email address, and may result in even more messages filling up your In-box.

If you are suspicious, do not click on the link asking to be taken off the sender's list, as the senders often use that as a ploy to confirm the recipient's address, resulting in even more spammed email.

Never submit your credit card details or other personal information to non-secure Web sites (there should be a locked padlock icon that appears in yellow, or in a yellow box, on the bottom bar of the order form Web browser).

Use spam filtering or spam blocking software

Do not send your email address through chat rooms, instant message services or Internet bulletin boards and newsgroups

Report suspicious online promotions of Symantec/Norton branded software by e-mail to spamwatch@symantec.com. You may also connect with the local contact of the Business Software Alliance (check the contacts list at www.bsa.org). In the US, you can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about a spam email that you have received. Visit the FTC online to file a complaint, or forward the spam email to the FTC for investigation.

Do not give out your primary email address for online registration or on e-commerce sites. Have another free email address to use more publicly.

Do not forward chain email. This special type of email is considered spam. It is unsolicited, intrusive and may clog up email servers and slow down Internet traffic.

My Comments

As you may know, I do not do "chain mail". I have not, however considered it as spam. Those who send it to me usually have the best intentions and very often the message itself is worthwhile. 

My problem with it is that it promotes, ... or is a form of, ... superstition. "If you send this to X people something good will happen." "If you don't send this, something bad will happen." "If you send this back to me, I will know you care for me." RUBISH!

If there is a meaningful message, or even if it is just cute, I will send it on to others. BUT, I will strip off the superstitious part. If something is worth sending to my friends, I'll do it but I will not impose conditions on them. I value their friendship too much. This does require a little more time but there are two things to consider. I do not forward everything. I try to be selective. Secondly, I am retired, use my computer a lot and have the time to do this. Others do not have that luxury or are so inclined. 

And, ... if I want my friends to have it, I do not force them to dig through a long series of forwards in order to get to it. I value them enough to take the time to select and send just the message. It is not difficult to do this.