Tech Tuesdays @ Lamson Learning Commons – SPAM management

Abstract
Spam is annoying and often offensive, but it’s a fact of life for all of us. John Martin will lead a discussion about how we can limit the amount of spam we see using tools running on our campus mail server and in Outlook. He’ll also discuss what we can do to keep our email addresses out of spam lists in the first place and spam related issues such as phishing.

Introduction
Every new advance in technology, such as e-mail, comes with its own set of challenges. The same tool that streamlines and expedites our communications does the same for exploitations such as SPAM, worms and phishing. While mail-borne worms and phishing are a relatively new arrival, SPAM has been around since the inception of email. PSU’s ITS department has provided one tool to combat this nuisance but ultimately it falls upon us to develop personal management strategies.

Strategies for management

SPAM tools

• Spam Assassin via the Computing Resources channel in myPlymouth or by web at http://oz.plymouth.edu/spamkill/
• Outlook Junk mail folder
• Rules based management
• Avoid using PSU account for lists and downloads

1. Get and use a g-mail or Hotmail account

• Use images or alternative methods of displaying your email address on webpages(bots and culling engines)

1. Image format – http://mattshelton.net/2005/10/new-e-mail-link/
2. Rewrite- http://www.zephoria.org/thoughts/
3. Obfuscation- http://www.ez2ba.com/html/site-toys/obfuscate-email.html

Phishing Guidelines

• What is Phishing?
• How to protect yourself

1. Bottomline – never respond with any information that could impact your privacy. This includes user names, passwords, account numbers, social security numbers, etc.
2. If you are ever in doubt of the veracity of an email claim, pick up the phone and call your provider directly. Most services have a stated policy about asking for secure information via email.

E-mail Worms

• Your best defense against email borne worms is to install, run and keep up-to-date a full anti-virus program that scans incoming email.