Spam Defense Basics
Spam Management
I ran across a client today that was just getting hammered by spam – like two hundred time-wasting messages every day. Just listening to his frustration with it all got me thinking…why are people still suffering with spam problems? Why don’t they just do something about it? I think the answer is that they don’t know that something can be done about it. Thankfully, today there are a number of effective options for combating spam. First, however, it’s important to establish a few truths about spam:
- Spam is expensive! It costs you time. It costs you money. It costs you business (ever accidentally delete that important e-mail in the midst of deleting all your spam?).
- For the foreseeable future, spam is here to stay. It is just part of the growing behemoth that is the Internet; one of the bad aspects of cheap, easy communications.
- Spam is a problem that can be significantly minimized, if not completely solved, without a ton of expense.
The good news is you don’t have to just sit there and take it. Here’s a good, basic blueprint for fighting the spammers…
- If you have a server, make sure it is set up properly (i.e. in a manner that does not allow the automatic relaying of messages). Getting spam in your inbox is bad. Allowing spam to go out through your server is much, much worse.
- Most antivirus programs like Trend Micro actually have a spam defense component built in. Use one.
- Purchase a spam defense service like MX Logic to stop the spam before it gets to your server. Spam defense services are one of the few bargains still available in technology today. Compared to the cost of spam, they’re a steal pure and simple.
- Utilize up-to-date antivirus and antispyware software. The ties between spam, spyware, and viruses are tightening – protection against one is no longer enough.
These four simple steps provide a “layered” defense against spam. Getting two spam e-mails a day? Not a problem. Getting 200? Invest in protection – it will save you money in the long run.
Tags: email defense, mx logic, spam
July 2, 2009 4:57 am 
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