A new study has discovered that UK homes receive 107 million junk emails (SPAM) each day (30% more than in 2007) and 21% of broadband ISP customers do not have any kind of spam filtering system in place.

However, despite the fact that 79% of broadband users do have a spam filter, 83% of people with internet access still receive junk email and over a quarter (26%) are hassled by at least 10 unwanted mails every day.


Apparently 18% of uSwitch.com's survey respondents claimed to have experienced problems, such as virus infections, with their computer after receiving junk mail. This is perhaps because at least 7% actually open the messages before erasing them (unsurprising - some spam can spoof your existing contacts) and amazingly 1% have even responded to the messages :glee: ; this just invites further junk.


It's important to stress that most ISPs already offer spam filters and some enable these by default, while others provide an option. Sadly such filters are often so aggressive that they can wipe out legitimate emails by mistake, which is why customers should always be given a choice.

Ultimately there is no golden solution, except to avoid using email altogether, which isn't practical for everybody. Our 'Tips For Avoiding SPAM' article should also come in handy for some people. Stricter global laws, punishments and a more pro-active enforcement regime would also go a long way to reducing the problem.