My Tech Fundas: Tips and Techniques

NoSpyMail is a utility that discovers SpyMail in your mailbox and alerts you to it, and then neutralizes it. NoSpyMail operates as a plug-in for Outlook 2000, XP, or 2003 running on Windows 2000 or later.

SpyMail refers to an email message sent to you that attempts to collect information about you, your computer, or your email habits without your permission. SpyMail is used by spammers to try to better target their marketing campaigns. They use this information to find out more about your computer and your email and web habits or to find out if you received their spam. Once they know you read their spam, they know that your email address is valid and current.

A good way to avoid SpyMail is to not have your email client display images by default. NoSpyMail detects images that contain tracking information, and forcibly removes the tracker with a 95% success rate. NoSpyMail does add a tab to the Outlook Options menu where you can control NoSpyMail's behavior. When you do receive a message that contains a Spy Message, a NoSpyMail will show a popup message (which can be turned off)