How to identify spam

It’s not new. Our inboxes are often bombarded by spam. We often receive e-mails that demand to be forwarded!

When should one forward an e-mail, and how can one make sure to not forward spam?

The internet has given us a wonderful tool, Google. Each time you receive an e-mail that request that you forward it, use this tool to research the subject of the e-mail or certain phrases within it. If Google finds a match, visit the sites matching your search. This way, you can see immediately if it’s spam or not. Generally if Google finds a match, you can often tell right away if the message is unwanted.

You can also make use of specific sites that keep records of spam. One Francophone website which tracks spam is called "HOAXBUSTER.com". At this site you can select any part of the e-mail you’ve received and search their database to see if the message has been previously reported. Here you can also consult the complete list of all recorded Francophone spam since 1995, and also see messages that were questioned and found to be true e-mails. There is also the Anglophone equivalent of this site, "HOAX-SLAYER.com" which contains even more information.

On February 2, 2011 the University of Montreal through the DGTIC has published a very interesting article on this subject. I invite you to visit the following link:

http://www.dgtic.umontreal.ca/courriel/pourriel.html

Here are several pertinent links:

- http://arretezlepourrielici.ca/spam-f.html

- http://www.logiciel-antispam.com/

- http://www.hoaxbuster.com/

- http://www.hoax-slayer.com/

- http://www.microsoft.com/canada/fr/proteger/

So, before forwarding a message, even if it comes from someone you know, take a few seconds to verify the origin and the nature of the message. Don’t forget that the majority of spam is sent, after all, by people you know! By forwarding a spam e-mail, you become a tool of the spammers. Think twice!