Spam Control
Spam is unwanted, unsolicited junk e-mail sent to a large number of recipients usually promoting a product or service. It reduces productivity because users have to wade through a large number of unwanted messages. Spam burdens NIU equipment by having to deliver the mail and take up valuable storage space. Some spam can be very offensive to the recipient. Additionally, it is sometimes used to spread worms and viruses that wreak havoc on the NIU network and destroy your data.
NIU Fights Spam
ITS blocks mail from known spammers from entering the NIU network. CanIt-Pro®, an enterprise spam-filtering software, is installed at the edge of the NIU network to block unwanted e-mail before it reaches the mail server to lighten the spam load on servers, system managers, and end users.
All NIU students are automatically opted into spam filtering. The application allows students to set individual spam preferences. For more information, visit go.et.niu.edu/canspamhelp or contact the ITS Helpdesk at helpdesk@niu.edu or 753-8100.
Best Practices to Fight Spam
Using your NIU e-mail account for purposes other than university communication will greatly increase the amount of spam you receive.
- Web Postings
Avoid publicizing your e-mail address on websites (such as MySpaceTM and FaceBookTM), public bulletin boards, newsgroups, and chat rooms. Consider creating and using an e-mail address from one of the free e-mail address providers for these purposes.
- Do Not Reply to Spam or an Unsubscribe Request
Never reply to a piece of spam or request to be unsubscribed unless the message comes from a company or organization you recognize and know. Your reply confirms that your address is active.
- Never Buy Anything Offered in Spam
Spammers’ sole purpose is to make money. If people don’t buy from them, the companies will quit using this form of advertising.
- Product Registration
Review all pre-selected options for any products you may register online. The default setting is to send updates on product information as well as to register for other topics. The original company may sell their mailing list to other marketers.
- Blind Copy Field
Use the blind copy (bc) field to conceal e-mail addresses when sending a message to a large number of people. This protects their identities if the message is forwarded or responded to by one of the recipients.
- Disguise Your Address on Your Website
Spammers use software that searches websites for mail to links that use the conventional text addresses such as name@something.something. Try spelling out the punctuation. Use name at niu dot edu in the source code instead of name@niu.edu or use the actual html code of the dot or @ symbols: (dot= .); (Commercial at, @ = @). HTML code would be name @ niu . edu.
