Avoiding spam and viruses
 

 

Spam, or unwanted and unsolicited emails, is not only irritating but it can have potentially serious consequences.
 
  • Most spam involves either advertising for things you might not want your children to know about (like Viagra, for example), or it's a scam designed to get recipients to spend money on non-existent products. They can clog up your inbox and occassionally contain viruses that could damage your computer.
  • The best way to stop spam is not to give your personal email address out over the net. Get a separate email address for joining newsletters and the like. When you sign up for any service, always check their Privacy Policy and be sure to check the box that says you don't want your details passed on to a third party. If you're in any doubt, don't sign up
  • Your ISP may be able to help. Most offer 'spam filters' that can elimate most unsolicited correspondence. They might also offer scanning software that will destroy emails containing viruses. However, these aren't perfect, so if you're really concerned, then it might always be an idea to log on with your child, and check the mail before leaving your child alone.
  • Although it might be tempting, never reply to a spam, even to unsubscribe, as this can be a ruse to get you to confirm your details. Likewise, if spam comes with an attachment - no matter how innocent, tempting or funny it might seem, never open it as this is way most viruses infect computers.
 
Checklist
  1. Ask your ISP to include spam filtering and virus scanning software on your email account. They can also block senders by limiting incoming messages to only those on from a defined list.
  2. Use an email address that doesn't reveal your child's sex, area you live in, age, or any other information of this nature. For example, susie1992@domain.com will be more likely to receive spam than eisus@domain.com.
  3. Create a separate family email address that you and your child use for entering competitions or joining mailing lists.
  4. Make sure your child knows never to pass on personal information, including email addresses without your permission - and never to passwords to anyone else.
  5. Never open attachments from an unknown sender.
  6. Never respond to spam, even to unsubscribe - this will only confirm that an address is live.