Removal of Major Internet Spammer Results in Less Spam for UNM

The unplugging of McColo Corporation, an online host that served machines responsible for 75 percent of daily spam, contributed to a significant reduction in spam e-mail across the country, including at UNM. The host was unplugged the first week of November, and according to UNM’s ITS Department, there was a 60 percent drop in spam both received and filtered at UNM.

The unm.edu e-mail system serves approximately 70,000 users campus-wide, though it is likely users noticed little if any change in actual e-mails received.

“The spam filtering technology we use on campus is pretty effective in blocking most unwanted email,” said Mike Carr, UNM’s Director of Information Assurance. “Given that, last year, nearly 95 percent of all Internet e-mail was spam, the removal of a major spammer will definitely reduce the amount of work our filters do. Unfortunately, some off-shore company will likely pick up where McColo left off and more spam may return soon.”

Spam is not only a nuisance, it also has the potential to carry viruses and malware and to direct users to websites designed to steal personal information. Follow the tips below to limit spam in your e-mail box.

· Use different e-mail addresses for different things. Limiting who has your e-mail address effectively limits who can e-mail you… and send you spam.

· Know who is e-mailing you. Often, spam is filtered by tools on your system network that search for key words or phrases that are common to most spammers. However, some spammers cleverly create messages that appear legitimate or from a specific person, hoping you will see it and open it.

· Keep your UNM e-mail address for UNM-related business only, and give it only to people you know and trust

Media Contact: Vanessa Baca, (505) 277-0987; e-mail: vjbaca1@unm.edu