self-sending spam
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self-sending spam


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DEFINITION - Self-sending spam is unsolicited e-mail that looks like you sent it to yourself: your name appears on the "from" line as well as the "to" line. For example, Benjamin Googol might receive a message addressed to "bengoogol@yourisp.net" that purports to be from "bengoogol@superfantasticdeals.com." In some cases (especially if you use one of the most common e-mail services, such as Hotmail or Yahoo) a message may appear to be sent from your exact e-mail address.

Self-sending spam is one version of e-mail spoofing (disguising a message's "from" address so that it appears to be from someone other than the actual sender). The sender manually constructs a message header with their chosen information in it. E-mail spoofing is often sometimes used legitimately, for example, by someone spoofing their own address to manage their e-mail. However, spoofing anyone other than yourself is illegal.

Senders rely upon two factors - curiosity and a positive emotional response - that make the recipient more likely to open or even respond to a message that seems to be from someone with their name. A recent study at McMaster University found that people respond more positively to e-mail messages sent (at least apparently) from people with names similar or identical to their own. Researchers, who sent out thousands of requests for simple information, found that the response rate was over 10 per cent higher for messages sent using the exact name of the recipient as the sender. Even if only one name matched that of the recipient, the response rate was higher than for messages from someone with a different first and last name. However, as people receive more of these messages and the novelty wears off, it is unlikely that self-sending spam will continue to elicit any positive response.

Learn more about Spam and virus protection
Securing your Exchange Server 2007 journaling archives: With work, journaling can be used to archive email in Exchange Server 2007. Get an understanding of how to create a tamper-resistant journaling mailbox.
Microsoft Exchange Server security dos and don'ts: Securing Exchange Server against spam and viruses is a challenge. Follow these security practices to protect Exchange from various email security threats.
Controlling spam in Exchange 2007 at the edge transport server level: There are many ways to control spam and viruses in Exchange 2007. Do you know how they work? Eliminating spam at the right server level is essential.
Securing your Exchange Server 2007 journaling archives: With work, journaling can be used to archive email in Exchange Server 2007. Get an understanding of how to create a tamper-resistant journaling mailbox.
Microsoft Exchange Server security dos and don'ts: Securing Exchange Server against spam and viruses is a challenge. Follow these security practices to protect Exchange from various email security threats.
Secure Edge Transport servers using the Security Configuration Wizard: Find out how to extend Windows Server 2003's Security Configuration Wizard in Exchange 2007 to protect Edge Transport servers from email viruses and spam.
The six-layered secret of effective Exchange Server email filtering: Discover the six key message-filtering layers that best block spam and viruses and keep unwanted email out of your Exchange 2003 or Exchange 2007 system.

LAST UPDATED: 21 Mar 2005

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More resources from around the web:
- SearchSecurity.com has a tip on practical uses for spam.
- McMaster researchers find shared names make e-mail kindred spirits.
- SearchSecurity.com has compiled a variety of resources on combatting spam.





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