CAN THE spam!
What Is spam?
Spam is any mass electronic mailing you did not ask for. It generates the most complaints from U-M IT users, and unfortunately the volume of spam is rapidly increasing.
Spam can come from two sources:
From inside the University
(the sender's address ends in @umich.edu)
There are a variety of ways the User Advocate can address spam originating from within the University. However, unwanted messages from an acquaintance (including someone you previously dated) do not constitute spam, and the User Advocate cannot do anything about them unless the messages are threatening or harassing.
BUT WHO IS IT REALLY FROM?
Forged e-mail (or spoofing) makes messages appear to be sent by someone at U-M when it actually comes from a spammer unrelated to the University. For more information, please read What Is Forged E-Mail?
If you do require assistance from ITUA, please forward the spam message with full headers to abuse@umich.edu.
From outside the University
(the sender's address does not end in @umich.edu)
These are commercial messages generated by both misguided advertisers as well as genuinely unscrupulous ones. Typical offerings include low-rate mortgages, cosmetic surgery, XXX-rated materials, and promises of wealth.
Since commercial spammers use technical forgery methods, tracking them down is almost impossible.
The best way to deal with this type of e-mail is to delete it. There is currently no foolproof way for system administrators to configure the campuswide e-mail system to determine what is spam and what is valid e-mail.
Information Technology User Advocate at the University of Michigan
abuse@umich.edu
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