Avoiding Spam

SpamAssassin

SpamAssassin is currently the best weapon against spam for many campus e-mail addresses. Any mail delivered to an @bama.ua.edu address can be automatically scanned through SpamAssassin, even if the message is sent to an @ua.edu alias and/or forwarded to another address.

Online configuration tool - Turn on SpamAssassin and adjust the scoring of junk e-mail. If you read your mail directly on bama.ua.edu (it isn't forwarded), you can also specify a Junk e-mail folder to hold spam.
Mail client configuration - If you forward your bama.ua.edu e-mail, you can set up your mail client to filter based on SpamAssassin's decisions.
Bayesian classification with SpamAssassin

Other Methods

There are very few reliable ways of keeping your University e-mail account spam-free. These suggestions may help, however.

Never reply to spam, or click the infamous "removal" link. This simply tells spammers that your address is valid! Even if you get removed from one list, you will get added to others.
See if your mail client has a way to block images, especially images loaded from outside servers. Many times these images are actually generated by programs that simply log who requests them. Once again, this lets spammers know that your address is valid.
Don't use your University e-mail account for online shopping. In addition to receipts, many vendors will send you newsletters from themselves and their "affiliates."
When you do give your information to vendors (both on- and off-line), don't give your e-mail address unless it is required.

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	Avoiding Spam SpamAssassin SpamAssassin is currently the best weapon against spam for many campus e-mail addresses. Any mail delivered to an @bama.ua.edu address can be automatically scanned through SpamAssassin, even if the message is sent to an @ua.edu alias and/or forwarded to another address. Online configuration tool - Turn on SpamAssassin and adjust the scoring of junk e-mail. If you read your mail directly on bama.ua.edu (it isn't forwarded), you can also specify a Junk e-mail folder to hold spam. Mail client configuration - If you forward your bama.ua.edu e-mail, you can set up your mail client to filter based on SpamAssassin's decisions. Bayesian classification with SpamAssassin Other Methods There are very few reliable ways of keeping your University e-mail account spam-free. These suggestions may help, however. Never reply to spam, or click the infamous "removal" link. This simply tells spammers that your address is valid! Even if you get removed from one list, you will get added to others. See if your mail client has a way to block images, especially images loaded from outside servers. Many times these images are actually generated by programs that simply log who requests them. Once again, this lets spammers know that your address is valid. Don't use your University e-mail account for online shopping. In addition to receipts, many vendors will send you newsletters from themselves and their "affiliates." When you do give your information to vendors (both on- and off-line), don't give your e-mail address unless it is required.
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