Spam

Gmail Tips and Tricks 2010-06-07 03:47:01
Geek Tip

Geek Tip: Pre-Label Your Gmail Addy to Sort Out Spam

Although my spam folder isn't totally out of control, it does fill up faster than I'd like it to.
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Although my spam folder isn't totally out of control, it does fill up faster than I'd like it to. It seems that no matter how hard you try at keeping your email private — only giving it out on a need-to-know, or sign-up basis — it can end up in the wrong (read: unsolicited) hands.

This little trick is modified from a tip I gave you a while back: you can add the plus sign at the end of your gmail address to sort email into specified folders. This is not only great for organization, but it can also alert you when someone has sold your email address for unsolicited spam. Find out how after the break.

New Facebook Scam Asks You to Download an Attachment
Spam

Beware of the Latest Facebook Scam

I've already told you how to avoid getting hacked on Twitter, but there's a new Facebook scam out there that's not only hacking into your accounts, it's also downloading a virus onto your computer.
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I've already told you how to avoid getting hacked on Twitter, but there's a new Facebook scam out there that's not only hacking into your accounts, it's also downloading a virus onto your computer. If you receive an email with the following message, beware — it's a scam:

Because of the measures taken to provide safety to our clients, your password has been changed. You can find your new password in the attached document.

Sneaky little scammers, right? Whatever you do, don't download the attachment! This one could fool you because the email is coming from help@facebook.com, but trust me, it's not from the Facebook team. Facebook will never send you an email with an attachment or ask you to reset your password anywhere off of the site. Pass the warning around to your friends, and if you do end up getting hacked, head to the Facebook help page to see what to do next.

Do You Get Spam Text Messages?
Poll

Do You Get Spam Texts?

I consider myself one of the lucky ones whose phone number hasn't ended up on too many random telemarketer lists — besides that annoying one earlier this year telling me the warranty on my non-existent car was going to expire.
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I consider myself one of the lucky ones whose phone number hasn't ended up on too many random telemarketer lists — besides that annoying one earlier this year telling me the warranty on my non-existent car was going to expire. But bright and early this morning I was woken up by my iPhone's text message alert. When I picked up the phone to see who was texting me so early, I saw what is basically a commercial for a debt settlement program. No, I don't have $10,000 in credit card debt, thanks.

I have no idea how these people got my number; but I hope it doesn't happen again. I can't deal with an inbox full of spammy text messages on top of all of the email spam I receive. What's next, text message spam filters? Has this ever happened to you? Is there a way to get them to stop?

How to Report Spam Twitter Accounts
Geek Tip

Geek Tip: Report Shady Twitter Accounts to @spam

Isn't it a total disappointment when you net a new Twitter follower, but when you go look at their page to see if they're worth following back, there's just bot-like messages and a creepy profile pic?
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Isn't it a total disappointment when you net a new Twitter follower, but when you go look at their page to see if they're worth following back, there's just bot-like messages and a creepy profile pic?

Spam followers bum you out, but you don't have to just sit back and do nothing. User Nanimo commented on last week's post about blocking unwanted Twitter followers with a great tip: next time you suspect a Twitter user is a spammer, tweet their handle to @spam, Twitter's spam watcher. @spam checks out the account and removes it if is just a spammer.

Like Nanimo said, just reporting them is "quite satisfying." I have to agree!

From Alan Wong to 7-Eleven, Here's a Taste of Oahu
Travel

From Alan Wong to 7-Eleven, Here's a Taste of Oahu

While I have been enjoying staycations, it was nice to recently have a real vacation in Oahu!
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From Alan Wong to 7-Eleven, Here's a Taste of Oahu

While I have been enjoying staycations, it was nice to recently have a real vacation in Oahu! Sure the beaches are outstanding, but the food is even better. The Hawaiian islands have experienced a bit of a food revolution: Gone are the days when everything was shipped from the mainland. Now the islands make use of their own resources from both the land and sea. The results are wildly delicious. Here, you'll find a taste of my favorites.

The Shrimp Trucks of North Shore Spicy Hot Shrimp Mai Tai on Waikiki Beach Roy’s Original Blackened Island Ahi Kona Brewing Co. McDonald's Taro Pie Nico's Pier 38
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Cool Idea: Spam Mail Wallpaper
wallpaper

Cool Idea: Spam Mail Wallpaper

When I spotted Linzie Hunter's Spam One-Liners, I thought, "Why didn't I think of that?"
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When I spotted Linzie Hunter's Spam One-Liners, I thought, "Why didn't I think of that?" Well, apparently Hunter wasn't the only one inspired by her spam box: Italian design studio ToDo created this Spam Ghetto Junk Mail Wallcovering (inquire for price) after being roused by the bizarre subjects and unsolicited offers that flooded their mailboxes everyday. Look closely at the seaweed-like word bubbles and you'll read phrases like "$99.95 100mg x 30 pills buy now," "Save on generic drugs," "Your wife need your attention," and "Britney strikes again" — have you ever seen a more entertaining wallpaper? What's more is that if you provide the studio your room's dimensions, they can produce a unique design that wraps and folds around all the objects that sit on your wall's surface, making mass mailings one-off. To see closeups of the wallpaper, read more

How to Complain About the Vehicle Factory Warranty Spam Calls
How To

How to Complain About Those Factory Warranty Spam Calls

I turn into an angry she-Hulk every time my cell phone rings and I dive for it, only to hear "This is the second notice that the factory warranty on your vehicle is about to expire."
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I turn into an angry she-Hulk every time my cell phone rings and I dive for it, only to hear "This is the second notice that the factory warranty on your vehicle is about to expire." I all but explode to the recording "But I don't even have a car!"

These spammy calls seem to affect everyone I know — and we're all sick of it. What's the deal? Even if you're on the Do Not Call Registry, these extended warranty companies can still get to you. So what can you do to stop the madness?

You can wait to be connected to someone after the recording, and tell them you'd like to be taken off their list. If you're guffawing right now, that's because you, like me, have already done that and continue to get calls.

To see a solution to end the calls posted on the sharing site Reddit, just read more

National Food Festivals and Food Events, Apr. 21-28, 2009
beer

Noteworthy Nibbles — Apr. 21-28, 2009

If you thought last week was jam-packed with food events, then get excited for this week, as the festivals just get better.
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If you thought last week was jam-packed with food events, then get excited for this week, as the festivals just get better. If I could teleport myself around the world, there's no question I'd hit up the nation's celebrations, from pickles to pie to asparagus to spam.

We will, however, be supporting the cause to end childhood hunger at Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation series (if you're signed up to go to the San Francisco event, perhaps we'll see you there!). If you know of any other events we've left off the list, chime in below!

To see the rest, read more

Gmail "Spams" Me — WTF?!
Spam

Gmail "Spams" Me — WTF?!

My love for Gmail is kind of ridiculous: I've got it pimped out with a colorful theme, video functionality and useful Labs, so why does it repay me with scary Spam web clips?
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My love for Gmail is kind of ridiculous: I've got it pimped out with a colorful theme, video functionality and useful Labs, so why does it repay me with scary Spam web clips?

I subscribed to some fun clips, and I know Gmail often throws up the odd Google Sponsored Link or Gmail tip, but c'mon — Spam clips?

I don't eat Spam, and I've never talked about buying it, eating it, or cooking with it in ANY of my emails or chats. OK, so maybe I've said the word Spam a few times in reference to emails, but why is Gmail so excited to send me some recipes for making Spam casseroles?

Is this happening to anyone else? Is it a sponsored link?

Flashback: Spam Gift Catalog
Spam

Flashback: Spam Gift Catalog

Click to ReadFlashback: Spam Gift Catalog The folks at Hormel thought that their customers would like a more constant reminder by enticing them to wear Spam sweatshirts and accessories and using Spam kitchen gadgets from the Spam catalog.
by Click to Read

Flashback: Spam Gift Catalog The folks at Hormel thought that their customers would like a more constant reminder by enticing them to wear Spam sweatshirts and accessories and using Spam kitchen gadgets from the Spam catalog.