Spam Frequently Asked Questions 1 : What is Spam? 2 : Is Spam a Problem? 3 : How does the Spammer get my email address? 4 : How to distinguish Spam from legitimate email? 5 : What should marketer or business sending commercials email do? Click here for more information. Regulatory Approach to Spam 1 : Is sending Spam illegal in Malaysia? 2 : Will Malaysia be enacting new laws to make Spam illegal? 3 : The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's approach to tackling Spam 4 : Management of Spam 5 : Industry Codes Click here for more information. Spam Laws Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 - an overview of Section 233. Please click here if you are interested in legislation from around the world that deal with Spam. Complaint Procedure Guidelines for Complaints Handling The Guidelines for Complaints Handling provide information on making, receipt and handling of complaints from comsumers. Tips to Reduce Spam Here are some tips to reduce or prevent spam from reaching your inboxes. 1. Never buy anything advertised in Spam mail 2. Don't reply to Spam 3. Don't open Spam 4. Don't publicly divulge your e-mail address 5. Don't use "remove" option in Spam 6. Use Spam filters 7. Have two e-mail accounts 8. Check privacy policies and consent forms when signing up for anything online 9. Ask your Internet Access Service Provider what they are doing about Spam 10. Improve your computer's security by using Spam blocking software Click here for more. EVENTS The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has organized the following event: 3-5th May 2005 ASEAN Telecommunications Regulator’ Council (ATRC) Workshop on Anti-SPAM Strategies Related Publications The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia has issued the following publications on Spam: Discussion Paper on Regulating Unsolicited Commercial Messages The Discussion Paper, among others, suggests a possible definition of Spam, identifies the scope of Spam and its use as a marketing tool and the impact of Spam. Also highlighted in the Discussion Paper is the need to regulate and monitor spam via Internet e-mail and mobile short messaging (i.e. SMS), legal provisions in the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 that deal with the issue and the need for an action plan for service providers, Content Forum, Consumer Forum and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission in managing the issue. The Discussion Paper was released on 7th August 2003. A Report on Discussion Paper on Regulating Unsolicited Commercial Messages The report on the public consultation on regulating unsolicited commercial messages was published on 17th February 2004. The Report consolidated views and feedback from members of the public who had responded the Discussion Paper on Regulating Unsolicited Commercial Messages. In the Report the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission lines up several measures to fight spam. They include formulating a definitive definition of spam for regulatory purposes, imposing mandatory measures for service providers, and a multi-tier plan to resolve complaints and disputes on Spam. Anti-Spam Toolkit As part of its activities for developing education and awareness program in the area of information network security, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has published an Anti-Spam Toolkit (Toolkit), a product of the Commission’s collaboration with the Information Sharing Forum (ISF). The Toolkit is intended to be a “source book” containing the policy and regulatory framework and approach in curbing spam from the Regulator’s perspective and best practices and technical guidelines for organizations and users to take preventive and precautionary measures against spamming. To view the press release on the Anti-Spam Toolkit, please click here. Related Newspaper Articles Listed below are articles relevant to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's activities in handling spam. MCMC plans anti-spam regulations The Star 12 August 2003 Syor kuat kuasa peraturan urus aktiviti spam Berita Harian 19 August 2003 Spam perlu ditangani pada peringkat individu Berita Harian 15 March 2003 Stopping Spam New Straits Times 18 March 2004 Useful Links Listed below are links to other websites that provide more information on spam. NISER implements Computer Emergency Response activities, and addresses ICT security issues. It has conducted a survey on spam in Malaysia. Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email (CAUCE) is a voluntary organisation pursuing legislation solutions. Spamhaus tracks spammers, spam gangs and spam services and provides realtime anti-spam protection for Internet networks. Spamhaus works with Law Enforcement Authorities to identify and pursue spammers worldwide. You can check with Spamhaus to find out if your local ISP IP address is blocked. SpamCon Foundation is a public benefit corporation that advocates for the legitimate use of mass mailing for marketing purposes. It provides a forum for Internet users, administrators, marketers, anti-spam businesses and activists to collaborate and develop strategies that encourage responsible email marketing. Mail Abuse Protection System (MAPS) focuses on reducing spam at its source and delivers Spam blocking solutions. MAPS Transport Security Initiatives offers methods to secure your SMTP servers. Fight Spam on the Internet provides anti-spam links and resources on the World Wide Web. Anti-Spam Research Group (ASRG) investigates tools and techniques to mitigate the effects of spam. Its work is focused on technology solutions and it may consider tools and techniques to aid the implementation of legal and other non-technical anti-spam measures. Spam Links offers links to information on issues, tools, guides, filters and other tips. SPEWS lists areas on the Internet that system administrators, ISP postmaster and other service providers have assembled and used to deny email and other network traffic. Enquiries and Assistance For questions on ways to handle spam, you should contact the helpdesk or postmaster of your Internet Access Service Providers. For general enquiries about spam, you can contact us at: Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor. Telephone: +603 86888000 Facsimile: +603 86881003 E-mail: antispam-ins@cmc.gov.my		Legislation International Activities Spam Framework for Development Papers Public Enquiry Reports Glossary Contact Us Feedback Links