Manage and reduce spam

Spam can clog up your email inbox, use up your monthly download allowance and can also hide viruses that infect your computer.

Spam is more than junk mail! Junk mail is generally harmless and sometimes useful.

Most spam advertises fraudulent, offensive or poor quality goods, or is trying to con you using get-rich-quick offers, fake prize or lottery wins or imitation requests from what appear to be real businesses in order to get your banking or personal details.

Being careful who you give your email address to in the first place is a good way to help reduce the spam you receive. Installing and activating up-to-date security software including spam filters will help reduce what actually gets through to you. Knowing how to recognise and deal with the spam that does get through will help ensure you don’t get conned or make the problem worse. Read more on avoiding scams and hoaxes

Top tips

Install and use anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Set them to scan your emails.
Activate any spam filtering function provided by the email program you use or that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) offers.
Don't give your email address out without needing to. Think about why you are providing it, what the benefit is for you and whether it will mean you are sent emails you don’t want.
Before giving your email address online read the website privacy policy. This should tell you how they will use the email address you provide.
If you use your email address online you may want to have a secondary email account. Use you primary email with friends and businesses you know and trust.
Don’t open or reply to emails from addresses you do not recognise, even to unsubscribe. Do not click on any links, open attachments or call any telephone number listed in a spam email.
Use privacy settings on social networking sites. Consider hiding your email account or changing the settings so that only people that you trust are able to see your address.
Don’t ever reply to spam even to unsubscribe from a mailing list. This will only confirm that your address is real and you will probably receive more spam as a result.

Don’t open attachments in any messages if the source of the message is unknown or is suspicious.

Fact sheets and resources

The spam section on the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) website offers a range of anti-spam resources for consumers, government and businesses.

The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy(DBCDE) has policy responsibility for spam. The Department's spam webpage contains further information on The Spam Act 2003.

The SCAMwatch website has information for consumers on recognising scams and common scams. You can report a scam or hoax on the website or to the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502.

Protect your email address

One important way to reduce spam is to be careful who you give out your email address to.

Don't give your email address out without really needing to. Think about why you are providing it, what the benefit is for you and whether it will mean you are sent emails you don’t want.
Before giving your email address online read the website privacy policy. This should tell you how they will use the email address you provide. Most reputable sites will have a link to their privacy policy from any form where you're asked to submit personal information.
When you sign up for some online accounts or services be aware of default options to receive additional email about other products and service.

Read more about protecting your email address

Consider opening a second email account

If you use your email address online you may want to have a secondary email account.

Use you primary email for communicating with friends and businesses you know and trust. Use your secondary email when using public mailing lists, social networking sites, blogs, and web forums.

If this account starts to fill up with spam, you can get rid of it and open a different one.

Use privacy settings on social networking sites

Social networking sites typically allow you to choose who has access to see your email address. Consider hiding your email account or changing the settings so that only people that you trust are able to see your address.

Be aware that when you use applications on these sites, you may be granting permission for them to access your personal information. Read more about safe social networking

Use spam filters

Activate any spam filtering function provided by the email program you use or that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) offers—check their website, or install a separate spam filter—you will find spam filters through your preferred search engine or your ISP may list effective spam filters on its website.

Dealing with the spam you receive

Always delete spam without opening it – this means not replying to spam ever – including asking to be unsubscribed from a mailing list.
Don’t reply to or forward long chain letters that you receive by email.
Don’t open attachments in any messages if the source of the message is unknown or is suspicious.
Add the spam address to 'junk senders'. Most email programs have the ability to add them to a 'junk senders' list which blocks them next time they try send email to you.

If the source seems genuine, and the message appears to promote a legitimate Australian business, contact the business and ask them to take you off their mailing list.

Reporting spam

Report spam to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) or install the SpamMATTERS reporting tool available from the ACMA website.

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