Definitions of Spam, Spim, and Spyware
- Obvious spam : That gunk that clogs your e-mail's inbox
- Not so obvious spam - Aka: Phishing: The gunk that will try to extract personally identifiable
information from you such as a login and password or an account number.
- Spim: The gunk that clogs your instant messaging service.
- Spyware: The gunk you pick up when you browse the Internet. It can cause identity theft and
"computer flu."
Key Tips to Avoid Spam and Spim
- Don't reply to spam or click on its "unsubscribe" link. This tells them they have a valid e-mail
address.
- Disable the preview pane in your e-mail client.
- Use one e-mail address for family and friends, one for business, and another for everyone else.
- Don't post your e-mail address in its normal form on a publicly accessible Web page.
- Don't open the message if you don't know who it's from, delete it.
- Subscribe the NDSU Spam Filter; this can found at http://enroll.nodak.edu under user services.
- Keep your anti virus software current and up to date with patches
- Be careful of downloading pictures and other things your IM friends may send you. Check with them
first to make sure they have sent you something.
Six Ways to Outwit ID Thieves "Phishers"
- Never directly respond to an e-mail asking for personal information.
- If you doubt the authenticity of a message, verify it by contacting the sender.
- Avoid spoofed sites by entering the Web address directly into your browser's address bar or by using
bookmarks you create.
- When prompted for a password, give an incorrect one first. A phishing site will accept it, a
legitimate one won't.
- Make sure the Web site is secure: look for a lock that is in a closed position; it can be found in
right bottom of your monitor's screen, or the URL will start with https.
- Forward fraudulent spam to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov and the Anti-Phishing Working
Group at reportphishing@antiphishing.org.
Spyware - What is it?
- Primarily used for gathering demographic information.
- Often piggybacks on "innocent" downloads of software from Web sites - bundled with "free" stuff.
- Can be used for fraudulent purposes.
- Can control browser's home page, pop-up ads, redirect you to different Web sites.
- Can slow computers' performance and cause system and software crashes.
Avoiding Sneaky Spyware
- Download and install software only from trusted sources.
- When installing software, read the End User License Agreement (EULA .
- Adjust your Web browser security settings. Keep at medium or higher to block unauthorized downloads
and prevent Web pages from automatically running Windows active scripts.
- Install and use updated anti-spyware software to scan your hard drive regularly.
- Learn more about spyware at
-
Theresa Semmens, NDSU ITSO