" E-mail users should not click on " opt out" links in spam e-mails , because they can download programs that can be used to send spam" [advice from a security company]
1) What are we being advised against? What is an "opt out" link? Is it simply checking a 'No' or 'Refuse' box in a Yes/No or Acccept /Refuse option?
2) How does the program get downloaded and why? What's the advantage to the spammer?
3) What should be done if spam e-mail is accidentally opened ?
Often, spams aren't specifically sent to your e-mail address. They're sent to millions of addresses, which were developed from random combinations of words, letters, numbers and phrases - those most commonly used.
An opt out link, if the user clicks on it, is simply used as a confirmation of a "hit". In other words, they know they've got a live address.
The software that "may get installed" is a result of the poor security with the most commonly used web browser (Internet Explorer). If security on the computer is set properly, clicking the link will do nothing more than draw a big red circle-target on your computer for spammers.
Thanks , Chris. So if spam is detected before opening the thing to do is not open it but delete or ignore it; if it is opened just pass on to the next e-mail ? Whatever you do don't answer it even by saying no to the 'offer'. Is that it?
The e-mail server/ address do I use? Both here and in France I use the local AOL (Why have two branches, two subsidiaries, and so two addresses from the same head company and not just the one? Because that way I get to complain twice over everything, eventually, and in two different languages It's kinda educational )
