Amsterdam, 1 August 2007 - Don’t want to return to a spam-filled inbox after a summer break? McAfee, Inc. (NYSE: MFE) released tips today to help e-mail users unsubscribe and block unwanted e-mail.
According to research from McAfee® SiteAdvisor™, registering an e-mail address with just one Web site can result in hundreds of junk e-mails a week, demonstrating how easy it can be to become the target of unsolicited mail.
“While today’s spam filters have improved to catch a larger percentage of junk mail, the threat of spam never really goes away,” said Jeff Green, senior vice president of McAfee Avert® Labs. “We hope that users can benefit from our tips to help in their battle against the removal and blocking of unwanted mail.”
To help prevent spam, McAfee is recommending that users do the following:
- Don’t publish your e-mail address on any Web site or discussion forum.
- Use a separate e-mail address to sign up for newsletters, online postings and trade shows. Then, if the mailbox starts receiving an overabundance of spam, you can delete the mailbox or more aggressively filter it.
- If you didn’t originally sign up to receive the e-mail, or if you don’t recognize the sender, then don’t unsubscribe. This shows the spammer that your e-mail address is active.
- If you use Web-based e-mail services, report spam to the service provider. This helps the provider more accurately determine which messages are spam.
- Purchase anti-spam software, which blocks 97 percent to 99 percent of spam to significantly reduce the amount of spam received.
- Keep a collection of mail you want to stop receiving to determine which e-mail addresses or phrases in the messages don’t change and can be used to block further mail.
- Do not reply to spam and most important, don’t buy anything from spammers.
More details on the spam-busting tips are available in a whitepaper titled, “Say ‘No, Thanks’ to Unwanted E-mail,” which is available for download through the McAfee Threat Center at:
www.mcafee.com/us/threat_center/default.asp.
For Internet users who want to learn just how spam savvy they are, the McAfee SiteAdvisor Spam quiz is available at
www.mcafee.com/spamquiz.
About McAfee Avert Labs
McAfee Avert Labs maintains a top-ranked global security threat and research organization, employing researchers in 16 countries around the globe. The Labs combine world-class malicious-code and anti-virus research with intrusion prevention and vulnerability research expertise.
About McAfee, Inc.
McAfee, Inc. is the leading dedicated security technology company. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, McAfee delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that secure systems and networks around the world. With its unmatched security expertise and commitment to innovation, McAfee empowers home users, businesses, the public sector, and service providers with the ability to block attacks, prevent disruptions, and continuously track and improve their security.
www.mcafee.com.
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NOTE: McAfee and Avert are registered trademarks of McAfee, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. McAfee Red in connection with security is distinctive of McAfee-brand products. All other registered and unregistered trademarks herein are the sole property of their respective owners. © 2007 McAfee, Inc. All Rights Reserved.