Tips on How to Avoid Spam Before it Reaches Your Server

The following is a guest article submitted by Veronica Henry, on behalf of GFI Software, a leading software developer that produces network and messaging security solutions for SMBs. More information about GFI anti-spam solution can be found at http://www.gfi.com/mes.

Spam comes in two varieties: the more harmless advertising form, or the more malicious - released with the intent to pilfer data. In either instance though, service disruption is a real possibility. Precious network bandwidth may become clogged, bringing company operations to a standstill. And proprietary or customer sensitive data breach can result in additional financial and reputation damages.

The question of how to avoid spam begins with the discussion of how your email address winds up in the hands of spammers. There are a number of ways, from employee misuse to directory harvest attacks. The answer then, lies in first learning to protect your online identity.

For many end-users, how to prevent spam is an afterthought. They may have grown accustomed to clicking the "spam" button on their email clients and giving no further thought to how their own actions may contribute to the problem. Consequently, corporations should consider employee education a critical component to their spam eradication policies.

Simple steps like not clicking on suspicious links or not copying other employees on chain emails could go a long way towards not introducing the problem into the work environment.

While a good initial strategy, in truth, these steps are often not enough. Sooner or later, an offender will appear in your inbox. So, in order to address the issue in the most efficient manner, a software-based solution is called for.

There are two forms of anti-spam software in this category: host (or pc) or server based. For the enterprise, a server solution, managed by skilled system administrators, is probably best. It works by identifying potential spam and filtering such that only legitimate emails are forwarded to the intended recipient on the corporate network. This can alleviate employees of the productivity-sapping task of managing spam, and can ease the strain on already taxed server resources.

Spam is a problem that doesn't show any signs of waning, so having a solid software-based solution, that is customizable, will ensure that your corporate network will become less susceptible to spam and its associated risks.

Additional readings:

Bayesian Spam Filtering
Why spamming is an easy business - and the problems it causes

This guest post was provided by Veronica Henry on behalf of GFI Software, a leading software developer that produces network and messaging security solutions for SMBs. More information about GFI anti-spam solution can be found at http://www.gfi.com/mes

All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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