Tiscali: Email Security

Read on for tips on tackling spam and safeguarding your email.

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Email encryption, spam filters and email anti-virus

We've prepared a checklist of do's and dont's to help you tackle most spam issues. The best protection against spam, viruses, snoopers and the like is adequate security protection.

1. Set up a separate email address for visiting sites on the internet such as social networks like Facebook, MySpace and Bebo or message boards and chat rooms. Get tips on how to add new email accounts with Tiscali.

2. Never reply to junk mail. Doing so confirms to the sender that your email is valid. Unsubscribing from the mailing list could verify that your email address is active.

3. Make a complaint: Don't waste your time complaining to the person who sent the spam. Try and find who is providing the spammer with internet access, complain to them. You may be able to find this information by looking at any website or email addresses the spammer uses in the body of the mail.

4. Never, ever give out personal information such as bank details in response to an email request - you could be a victim of what's known as phishing. If in doubt, telephone the company that is asking you for your details and find out whether the email is genuine.

5. When registering with a new site, make sure you do not give that site permission to sell your address on to potential spammers. Look for check boxes that opt you out of future communications by third parties.

6. Set up filters on your mailbox in order to file or reject incoming messages. Here's a guide on how to do this with your Tiscali mail.

7. Sending spam from a Tiscali Internet Account is a breach of our Acceptable Use Policy. So tell the abuse team at abuse@tiscali.co.uk and we will take action. If the spam comes from a non-Tiscali address, you should still complain about it.

8. Never forward a chain email. Many spammers use hoax emails to gather addresses for future spamming. Plus, you may be unwittingly forwarding on a computer virus.

9. Before clicking on a link in an email or opening an attachment, have a think about how genuine it is. Often spammers can identify those who've actively engaged with emails and use those addresses for further targeting. If you do want to open an attachment, save it to your desktop first and have your anti-virus software check it out.

10. Finally, if you have your own website don't put your e-mail address in a 'mailto' tag. Spammers have special programs that can scan the internet for addresses. Instead, use a webform or some other means of enabling people to contact you.

What is email encryption and why do you need it? Email is like a postcard. Anyone with the inclination or the tools to do so, can read it. What could this mean for you? It could mean data loss, identity theft or even worse. Read on to find out how email encryption can help you.