Microsoft® Windows® XP Networking and Security Inside Out: Also Covers Windows 2000

Chapter 16. Blocking Spam

What Is Spam? 528

Basic Spam-Blocking Techniques 536

Using Filters 540

Third-Party Spam-Busting Solutions 559

Fighting Back Against Spam 560

Sooner or later, everyone who uses electronic mail begins receiving unsolicited commercial e-mail, often referred to as UCE or, simply, spam. Because e-mail is incredibly inexpensive, unscrupulous senders can blast out messages by the millions. As a result, junk e-mail can proliferate at a rate much faster than junk mail delivered by the postal service.

Make no mistake about it: Spam is a scourge, and it represents a threat to your computer's security. Unchecked, spam can literally overwhelm legitimate messages, making it impossible for you to find important mail from business associates, ...