Frequently Asked Questions

Spam

Spam is unsolicited junk e-mail. Spam is sent in bulk, usually to a list gathered (by legal or illegal means) from subscribers to a Web site distribution list, or obtained by companies that specialize in e-mail distribution lists. Spam can also mean multiple postings of the same message to Newsgroups or listservers that are not related to the topic of the message. Other terms on the Internet for spam include UCE (Unsolicited Commercial E-Mail) and UBE (Unsolicited Bulk E-Mail).

It is NOT proper etiquette to send spam, and it DOES constitute inappropriate behavior and misuse of Towson's e-mail resources.

How do spammers get my name?

Free services. Many Web sites carry paid advertising as a way to generate revenue. But many web-based services also require that you register, by supplying your name and e-mail address, before you can use their "free" services. Selling the information they collect is part of their business plan. And guess who buys that information? (The correct answer is "spammers").

Newsgroups. Think twice before posting to a newsgroup. Spammers often release information-gathering programs called "bots" to collect the names and e-mail addresses of people who post to specific newsgroups. Bots can get this information from both recent and old posts. And, since many newsgroups are special-interest communities, spammers can learn what you're interested in — which makes you a better target for spam.

How can I avoid getting spam?

There is always a possibility of receiving spam, but you can reduce that possibility by following the advice below.

Here are some useful tips to avoid spam:

• Avoid agreements to receive postings about products or interests.
  Some people actually agree to receive unsolicited e-mail when they register with a particular Web site (perhaps by checking a box agreeing to receive postings about particular products or interests). When visiting sites on the Web, please be aware of any such agreements.
• Never reply to unsolicited e-mail with a "remove" request, or click an "unsubscribe" link, as this only validates to a spammer or "list broker" that your address is current.
  When you click to unsubscribe yourself from an e-mail list, or reply to a message asking to be unsubscribed, this often will confirm to the sender that your e-mail address is a valid one. Unfortunately, your e-mail address is then added to a list which can then continue to receive these unsolicited messages. In addition, senders of spam will often sell or distribute lists of valid e-mail addresses to other senders of spam, which can often cause an almost exponential increase in your volume of unsolicited mail.
• Avoid including yourself in an unprotected online service's member directory.
  OTS has protected its Web site directories from automated systems called "spiders," which will search throughout a site to find large lists of e-mail addresses. Some of our directories require a log-in, while others require an additional click to bring up a separate window with a person's e-mail address. These measures help prevent these "spiders" from acquiring Towson University e-mail addresses.
• Avoid posting to an Internet bulletin board, Usenet newsgroup or public listserve.
  Spammers can easily obtain a large quantity of valid e-mail addresses from such services.
• Avoid spending time in chat rooms or an online service that displays your address.
  Spammers can easily obtain a large quantity of valid e-mail addresses from such services.
• Set anti-spam filters with your mail program (this is possible via programs such as Microsoft Outlook).
  In Outlook, when you receive a spam e-mail, you can right-click on the message and choose to add it to the Junk Mail list.
• Use a non-university account for personal activity on the Internet.

If you do choose to post to a Web site or have to use your e-mail address on the Web, use a free Hotmail or Yahoo account to further protect your Towson University account from receiving unsolicited messages.

How to complain?

Should you be bothered incessantly by particular spammers, you may register a complaint with the postmaster of the domain from which that spam is being sent. A simple and polite message from you with a subject of "unsolicited mail" such as, "Here is a copy of the spam I have received" will suffice. With your statement, you will need to send an untitled copy of the junk mail you received with the complete message headers intact (you can do this by attaching, rather than forwarding, the spam message).

You can also report the more serious offenders to the Federal Trade Commission, by sending an e-mail with the spam attached to uce@ftc.gov. You can find helpful information on WHOA's resource page.
 

Information Security Office
Office of Technology Services
Cook Library, 4
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
E-mail: infosec@towson.edu