With spam protection you have to stay ahead to the trends. Because when spam started a crossposting tool was invented to block spam but spammers were quick to adopt crossposting as a tool of their trade. Now, they could send the same electronic message to thousands of newsgroup members at the one time. Not only could they target a larger audience with one posting, but they also did not have to differentiate between the interests and focus of the individual forums that they targeted. What's more it cost them next to nothing to spam these newsgroups.

The practice of sending out unsolicited, unwanted junk email and junk postings came to be called "spam." The term is commonly believed to have been derived from a British comedy skit by Monty Python, in which a restaurant serves each meal with a side of spam. As a waitress emphasizes to a couple the availability of spam with every dish, a group of Viking patrons break out in song, singing "SPAM, SPAM, SPAM... lovely SPAM! wonderful SPAM!" in a loud chorus. In the 80's, the term was adopted to refer to the junk emails and postings, and the name stuck.

Phishers bait

If there is any doubt as to whether or not the email is from who it purports to be, contact the company immediately to confirm and clarify the request for information. Be sure to call a phone number from your statement. Calling the phone number in the email is probably a direct line to the identity thief.

An email link can be "masked" in such a way that it displays a very official looking text-link to a legitimate company's website, but clicking on it will take you to the phisher's web site.

Always keep in mind that here are malicious people out there who do nothing more than think up creative, innovative ways to get at your personal information.

The spam blockers

A spam blocker is one way you can effectively cope with the deluge of spam that is targeted at your inbox each day. This type of anti-spam software works by blocking any unsolicited email from getting to your inbox. It is generally about 90% effective in blocking this spam, along with any viruses and other malicious code that may come with it.

A spam blocker frees up storage space. Most mailboxes have a very limited capacity to store email. Spam takes up space, and a spam blocker generally prevents large files from making it into your main folder.

Many email services offer spam blocker software. If, however, you choose to buy your own, make sure you get one that is compatible with your service. Also take into account the level of blockage it offers as well as flexibility it offers in letting you customize the settings to your own preferences.