Spam is troubling Internet users more and more. But what is spam? And what are its consequences? Can something be done to really solve the spam problem?

Spam is unwanted email people receive in their mailboxes. It is often sent in bulk and is always unsolicited. The content of spam is often harmful. Spam messages are used to sell medicines, sex related products or services and other (often illegal) products. Spam is also used for fraudulent purposes, such as phishing.

Spammers make use of the openness of internet and the email infrastructure, and are able to reach millions of people with one single email shot. These spammers pose a big threat to the usability of email.

Statistics show that currently more than 70% of all e-mail is spam. This results in huge data flows on the internet. Email systems and networks of internet service providers, companies and consumers computers are flooded with unwanted email data. This not only costs a lot of money and poses potential dangers such as viruses, but it can also makes people reluctant to use email and the internet.

New technologies are being developed to stop spam. One of these is challenge/response mechanism which changes the openness of email: the door to the mailbox is closed unless the protected user gives consent to senders. In the near future a lot of European consumers will be using and receiving these "challenge" messages.

Jeroen de Rooij, PrioCon

New system responds to challenge of spam
A new service will allow email users to stop unwanted emails ever reaching their inboxes. Unknown senders are introduced and need to be approved before mail is delivered.
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EU confronts spam problem
Many of the European Union's member states are working together to combat unsolicited emails. The EU itself has taken legal steps to prohibit spam, and also works with the OECD and ITU on the issue.
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NetAlert supports anti-spyware initiative
NetAlert supports a national campaign in Australia to help rid the nation’s computers from the dangers of spyware. The campaign was launched in September by the Internet Industry Association (IIA) and is directed at all Australian internet users - corporate, small business and home users alike.
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Slovenian storytellers awarded prizes
The Slovenian National Story-telling award ceremony was held on 15 September at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Ljubljana.
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Children experience the magic of media
MAGIC – Media Activities and Good Ideas by, with and for Children – is a Unicef website addressed to kids, parents, teachers and all those involved in studying, developing and monitoring the relationship between children and the media.
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You've got spam! - soon to be history
Spam is one of the greatest nuisances of the internet user. Now, a code of conduct for internet providers has been launched in Denmark.
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Hungary campaigns against spam
Member organizations of Friendly Internet Forum (BIF) have recently signed a contract with the Hungarian National Telecommunications Authority to launch a wide-ranging campaign against spam.
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Irish internet advisory board urges parents to 'Get with IT'
The Irish Internet Advisory Board (IAB) has called on parents to get involved in the new media world of their children, to share it and enjoy it.
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New Italian node joins Insafe network
EDEN becomes the second Italian awareness node in the awareness-raising network. The consortium is composed of two institutes of the Italian National Research Council (CNR), three schools and the division of the Italian Police dedicated to cyber-crime.
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Dutch publish brochures on spyware and phishing
Surf op Safe, the Dutch safer internet awareness campaign, has published two brochures on internet related risks. The brochures address spyware and phishing.
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Launch of S-Days campaign
20 October 2005
Belgium
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SECURE 2005 conference
25-26 October 2005
Warsaw, Poland
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About Insafe
Insafe is a European network of 21 countries, dedicated to raising awareness of Internet safety. The network includes a broad range of organisations, including charities, universities and media councils.

The Insafe network is coordinated by European Schoolnet, and supported by the European Commission’s Safer Internet Programme.

Further information about the Insafe network and its members is available on the Insafe Portal.