Posted: 18th May, 2011 By: MarkJ

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.
uSwitch.com's Technology Expert, Ernest Doku, comments:
"Spam is the great bug-bear of the internet age. Unfortunately, as we’ve become more dependent on our internet connections, so spam has spiralled to epidemic proportions. And the problem is no longer isolated to computer users - 17 million mobile users are now troubled by spam text messages too. The rise of smartphones, storing huge amounts of personal data, is presenting an enticing and exciting opportunity for spammers.
80% of spam comes from ‘spam gangs’ operating outside of the EU and so are out of range of European law. Unfortunately, that means the onus is on the consumer to take action to protect themselves, but there are still too many computer users not using spam filters. People are running a risk. When you consider the potential loss of all the information on your computer, a filter is a simple step, but a vital measure."
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.
uSwitch.com's Technology Expert, Ernest Doku, added:
"We urge the Government to introduce stronger rules to govern spam, and to put pressure on mobile networks and internet providers to work harder to stop the problem. Unfortunately, although consumers can take positive steps to filter out email spam, there is currently less technology available for mobiles. If spam texts follows the same pattern as email spam, this problem is set to plague us all for some time to come."
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.