BB FANS

Never turn the computer on again - then you won't get any?

You only get 40 spam messages...? I have a lot of domain names for my businesses, plus 'look after' stray email for some clients as well - so I get hundreds of spam messages a day, quite often 40-50 of the same one at a time!

I use 'message rules' a lot, and can filter out the regular crud - anything with the words 'young' and 'girls', or 'viagra' goes straight to the deleted items folder. Likewise 'casino', 'cell phone', 'free business cards' and any which go to my spam trap email addresses - the details I give when I'm checking out a 'suspect' service, where I think I'll end up with tons of junk mail - I simply use a totally different email address, and then filter anything sent to 'joe.bloggs' to deleted items too!

I also have multiple folders set up in Outlook Express, so mail coming to a specific address, or domain, can drop straight into that folder - after the junk mail rule runs of course. I can see at a glance how many messages are for one thing or another.

The tip is to keep an eye on the junk mail, see if the same words get used over and over - and keep adding the short phrases to the junk mail filter. When I click 'recieve' I can see 350 messages downloading, and end up with the odd couple of dozen I actually want, neatly sorted into folders - and deleted items contains the rest, which get dumped as soon as I quite OE as well!

I'm on cable, and usually online most of the day. Email auto-runs every 12 minutes, so it's only first thing when I see 350+ messages coming in, and that's usually whilst I'm making a cuppa ! I've been the victim of spam avalanches too - one time I was targetted with some 18000+ emails to one of my domain names, I actually switched off the PC and called my web hosts, they called me back when the mail had stopped arriving, and even deleted all junk - it all came from one originating domain so was easy to filter out.

Thankfully, I don't use any of the 'free email address' services any more. I used to run a website that listed hundreds of these, and even recommended them - until the companies running these got silly and started selling their lists, resulting in spam arriving. Now I don't bother. For example, register for a new Hotmail name using some sequence of characters that does not make sense (like 'camtowin' ?) - within a couple of days you're getting tons of spam - why? Because they pass on details of all new accounts opened, even if you don't select any of the millions of opt-ins they throw at you!

The Internet used to be brilliant, then it went commercial - and we're all paying for it by getting all this junk mail...

I think the most depressing thing about spam is not how much there is, but that it must work and be profitable (meaning some goons actually answer the adverts!!!).

I have multiple email addresses. My main one I only give out to trusted people, who know I will torture them if I end up getting spam on that address!!

I also have one or two 'disposable' accounts (hotmail and similar) which I use more freely, as I can ditch them if the spam gets too thick...

If it's possible I would suggest you ditch your current email address and get a new one. It's a lot less hassle in the long run.

Some more security tips:
Someone suggested installing a firewall. Would you leave the front door of your house open all day? Not having a firewall is akin to doing exactly that. Personally I would recommend ZoneAlarm - generally regarded as one of the best free firewalls in many tests. Download from http://download.com.com/3000-2092-10211820.html?tag=lst-0-1. Once you have installed your firewall test it online at http://www.grc.com. When you install it obviously make sure you let your browser access the internet as well as your email program and anything else that needs the internet (MailWasher, for example).

A firewall doesn't prevent viruses (its job is to prevent unauthoried access to/from your computer to/from the internet). For viruses get a decent anti-virus scanner such as Norton or McAfee. You can download a free one from here: http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php.

And then there's spyware, that annoying stuff that tracks which websites you visit, and, in absolutely extreme cases, can hijack your browser or record keystroke movements including passwords. Spyware usualy comes bundled with certain downloads disguised as cool applications (a common one is Comet Cursor). For this you'll need AdAware (Free), however, I prefer Spybot S&D (also Free) which does a better job but is more geared for advanced users. Download all these from http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads.php

A good source of security information can be found at the excellent http://www.spywareinfo.com. He also has a good download page. Once you get into it all you can turn your PC into Fort Knox! But don't beome paranoid!

Cookies are annoying but most of them are harmless and don't really slow down your PC. You can restrict which cookies are installed on your machine by adjusting your browser settings. I use Internet Explorer 6. On the menu go to Tools -> Internet Options... and click on the security tab. Set the bar to Medium. Click on the Privacy tab and set this to Medium High. This should be sufficient.

What does slow down your PC is a slow dial-up internet connection (especially in evenings and weekends) - get broadband if you can, it makes sense and it frees up your phone line; low RAM (anything less than 32MB should be made illegal - ideally you want at least 128MB RAM); and a clogged up Hard Disk Drive.

Hope this has been of help.

Just a follow up on getting broadband - it's certainly faster in some cases, but many sites still takes ages to load up - even here at BBFans I can wait ages for a message to post, or a page to load...

Although the link between my ISP and home is via a cable modem, and the cable company run the ISP - I am still restricted by page load times, and that can be annoying

I clear out my 'temporary internet files' area regularly, I check what cookies are in there and delete most of them, leaving the ones I want to keep intact. I clear down the temporary files area, and - because I'm using XP, have to do that multiple times for the accounts we have set up - I'm not the only one using this computer, there are 7 login names! Only I have admin rights so I avoid the kids installing crud by accepting 'free' downloads.
I also defrag the drive at least once a fortnight - which may sound a bit OTT, but the longer you leave it, the longer it takes !
The machine itself if a 2.4Ghz, 512Mb whizz with a 120Gb hard disk, and it can still be slowed to a crawl at times! It's amazing how much junk gets left in temporary folders - I do it the hard way and delete manually, but the options in browsers to remove unwanted files can work pretty well too.
I'm firewalled, have a spyware tracker active, anti-virus and all that - but because it's a permanent connection I'm also a target for those idiots who like to try and access my PC - so I simply switch off if I get a warning, wait a while then go back on!
And to think - I started on computers where all the end users had was a dumb terminal, no processing power or anything - a green (or white, or amber) display on black, a four inch thick keyboard and no Internet access 'cos it wasn't around then!

Thanks for the information. Much appreciated!

Maybe we should have a place here for those of us who aren't that savvy on technology to ask question to those who do. I am one of those who will panick a lot when it comes to computers.

We could do, although if I have a problem I usually enter it into Google. When I was at Uni, I lost 3000 words of my dissertation because I didn't understand the difference between a Hard Drive, a floppy, and a temporary storage drive (that got wiped after you powered off). I vowed never to work with computers again and here I am, a systems analyst! What I'm trying to say is that it's not the rocket science you might think it to be, and if its any help you can pick up quite a lot fairly quickly.

Try Google, also the forum at web-user.co.uk is pretty useful.

Listen, thanks a million for all your advice Tastyfish, BB Victim and BB4. Unfortunately, I did respond once to be removed from the mailing list-on advice from my cousin who knows Sweet Fanny Adams about computers. I still can't believe I listened to her because, I think my overall general knowledge about computers isn't that bad after having read your advice. I did have Mailwasher but it interferes with my Incredimail. I have also done what BB4 suggested about adding things to message rules, but the little buggers still appear. Maybe I just won't get rid of them. I should thank my lucky stars when I read how many BB4 gets!!!

Ah - there are other little tricks to look at there, make sure the folder it's scanning for bad mail is set to the Inbox, I've seen people set the rule to a folder - and then wonder why the mail isn't dealt with properly.

Don't want to go into the very fine detail, but always remember you can get help on basic things within the program itself. I spent a while setting my first rules up - and I've just added the latest one to the list, 'cos I don't really want to know about pills that improve my bust ! (should I forward those to you RR?)

Cheeky monkey!! I do not need any pills to improve my bust. I am very happy with my knockers and they don't need adjusting/improved/tinkered with.

I know little bits of certain applications but I have to admit there is a lot I don't know. I wouldn't mind taking a course to learn more.

I don't know much either Michelle and have been toying with the idea of doing the European Computer Driving License. Would anyone recommend that as a course?

Evidence required !! You have my email addresss ...

I work on hospital radio sometimes, we've been running adverts for 'Learn Direct' which provides, often free, courses on several subjects. A lot depends on the area you live in but try their website. http://www.learndirect.co.uk

Local colleges are also a useful resource, but perhaps more rigid in when you can go along.

http://www.ecdl.com/ is the site for the European Computer Driving License. They do not provide training in the skills required to pass the course, they only test and issue the certificate, if you pass of course.

Dream on............