Dealing With "Spam"

If you use email, you have likely received unwanted "spam". "spam", also known as Unsolicited Commercial Email (UCE), is the junk mail of the Internet. "spam" is not just a problem here at UW-Whitewater; it is a huge problem across the Internet. There is no way to completely avoid "spam". In most cases, the best way to deal with "spam" is to simply delete it. However, there are some actions you can take to reduce the amount of "spam" you receive.

Filter incoming messages.
UWW faculty, staff and students can take advantage of several tools to help filter spam and junk emails. To learn more, see Junk Email & Spam Filtering Options.

Check your 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 "spam".
Do not reply to "spam" asking to unsubscribe or be removed. "spam"mers use replies to verify that an email address is active. If you reply to "spam", you are asking to receive more "spam". Many "spam"mers also include a link to a website where you are asked to supply your email address to stop receiving messages. By supplying your email address, "spam"mers know your email address is valid and you will receive more "spam".

Create an email account for shopping.
Shopping on the Internet registers your email address in lists that can be sold by vendors to "spam"mers. Get a web-based email account that you intend to use specifically for "spam"; they are free and easy to set up. By using a separate account for shopping, it will help keep your university account clear of "spam".

Don't give out your real email address.
Be selective on where you register your email address when online. Whenever possible, use your "spam" email address or leave the email address blank when filling out online forms. Limit your subscriptions to online newsletters, bulletins, and contests. Do not participate in email chain letters. Anytime you give out your email address, there is a chance it may be used by a "spam"mer.

Don't open messages you know are "spam".
If you know an email message is "spam", delete it without opening it. Some "spam" messages are programmed to notify the sender that the message has been opened. By simply opening the message, you are informaing the "spam"mer that your 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.

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.

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.

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