Dealing With Junk email
If you use email, you have likely received unwanted messages. Such messages, also known as Unsolicited Commercial Email (UCE), are the junk mail of the Internet. Junk email is not just a problem at UW-Whitewater; it is a huge problem across the Internet. There is no way to completely avoid it, but in most cases, the best way to deal with junk email is to simply delete it. However, there are some actions users can take to reduce the amount of junk email they receive.
Filter incoming messages
UW-W faculty, staff and students can take advantage of several tools to help filter junk email messages. To learn more, see Junk Email Filtering.
Check the email package for any filtering utilities. Some email packages offer the ability to filter incoming messages and to reject unwanted email based on email address or keywords.
Never reply to junk email
Do not reply to junk email asking to unsubscribe or be removed. Junk emailers use replies to verify that an email address is active. If a person replies to junk email, they are asking to receive more junk email. Many junk email messages also include a link to a Web site where the recipient is asked to supply an email address to stop receiving messages. By supplying an email address, the email account user validates that address and then is liable to receive more junk email.
Create an email account for shopping
Shopping on the Internet registers your email address in lists that can be sold by vendors to junk emailers. Get a Web-based email account to use specifically for shopping; they are free and easy to set up. By using a separate account for shopping, it will help keep a university account clear of junk email.
Don't give out the real email address
Be selective on where an email address is registered when online. Whenever possible, use a junk email address or leave the email address blank when filling out online forms. Limit subscriptions to online newsletters, bulletins, and contests. Do not participate in email chain letters. Anytime a user gives out an email address, there is a chance it may be used by a junk emailer.
Don't open messages known to be junk email
Users who know an email message is junk should delete it without opening it. Some junk messages are programmed to notify the sender that the message has been opened. By simply opening the message, the user informs the junk emailer that the email address is active.
Microsoft Exchange Intelligent Message Filter (IMF)
UW-Whitewater uses Microsoft Exchange Intelligent Message Filter (IMF). IMF analyzes email messages from the internet and evaluates the content of the messages for recognizable patterns. IMF then assigns the message a Spam Confidence Level (SCL) based on the probability that the message is unsolicited commercial e-mail or spam. SCL's range from 1 to 9, with 9 being the most obvious spam. UW-Whitewater filters messages with an SCL of 8 or 9.
Spamhaus Block List (SBL)
UW-Whitewater uses the Spamhaus Block List (SBL). The SBL is a realtime database of IP addresses of verified spam sources (including spammers, spam gangs and spam support services), maintained by the Spamhaus Project team and supplied as a free service to help fight spam.
Spamhaus Exploits Block List (XBL)
UW-Whitewater uses the Spamhaus Exploits Block List (XBL). The XBL is a realtime database of IP addresses of illegal 3rd party exploits, including open proxies, worms/viruses with built-in spam engines, and other types of trojan-horse exploits.
