Published April 2002
Tools
are out there to filter spam from electronic mailbox
Unfortunately,
electronic mail over the Internet — for all its marvelous usefulness in
the business world — is fast becoming a giant liability that demands better
management.
All users recognize
the main advantages: providing amazingly fast, simple and low-cost global
communications.
But each day the
positive aspects of e-mail are being eroded by spam — from the annoying
promotions for legitimate businesses, services and products to spam-scams
that rip people off and embarrassing pornography pitches with repulsive
language and images.
Internet research
firms estimate spam messages accounted for 25 percent of the billions
of e-mails sent in 2001. Spam e-mails have been involved in anti-harassment
lawsuits against employers. Waves of spam once shut down AT&T WorldNet’s
servers. Even just deleting each day’s spam reduces employee productivity.
But there is help
available. Along with off-the-shelf filtering software for offices and
homes, users of Microsoft Outlook can set up a variety of filters to block
spam and pornography by using the “Tools-Rule Wizard” to screen out unwanted
messages.
Also, Verizon Online
now provides its customers a new, free anti-spam weapon — Brightmail’s
Spam Detector software — that sweeps e-mail boxes and moves suspected
spam into a separate e-mail folder on Verizon’s server instead of the
customer’s hard drive. More than 90 percent of Verizon Online’s customers
have opted to use Spam Detector.
Giving up e-mail
in today’s fast-paced business world isn’t an option for most people.
But you can begin taking more precautions. Now.
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