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
- Donbt 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 such as log in name and password.
- If you doubt the authenticity of a message, verify it by
contacting the sender. Send a separate e-mail or call the
sender.
- Avoid spoofed sites by entering the Web address directly into
your browser's address bar or by using bookmarks you create.
- 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.
Or it can be reported to abuse@ndsu.edu
Spyware b What is it?
- Primarily used for gathering demographic information.
- Often piggybacks on "innocent" downloads of software from Web
sites b bundled with "free" stuff.
- Can be used for fraudulent purposes.
- Can control browserbs home page, pop-up ads, redirect you to
different Web sites.
- Can slow computersb 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
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Theresa Semmens, NDSU ITSO
Page updated May 18, 2009