When Internet users receive Spam, they often wonder why their e-mail address has been targeted. Be assured, Mediacom Broadband does not sell this information or provide it to outside parties. But there are other ways that your e-mail address can end up in the hands of spammers.

Here are some examples with tips to avoid being a victim of Spam:

1. You have posted in a newsgroup or public Bulletin Board on the Internet using your e-mail address. This is freely available to anyone who frequents these boards or newsgroups including spammers. To avoid this you can alter your e-mail address in the "From:" field. This can be done by putting a word such as "nospam" between your username and the @ symbol.
   
   Example: jondoenospam@example.net. Or you can spell your username out in such a fashion that it no longer becomes a valid e-mail address. Example: j-o-n-d-o-e@ex-ample.net. This will protect your true e-mail address from being captured and added to a spammer's database. If you want to correspond with others in the newsgroup via e-mail, you can always provide instructions in the body of the message stating how to reply to your correct e-mail address.



2. Your e-mail address appears on a Web page you own or administer. Unfortunately, there is really no way to protect your e-mail address if it is available to everyone who visits your Web site.



3. You register at a Web site and it asks you for your e-mail address in order to complete the registration. Note: Most major Web sites have Privacy Policies regarding the use of your personal information. Make sure you read and understand the terms before you subscribe.




4. You have signed up for a mailing list using your e-mail address. Be sure to read the terms and conditions of the mailing list regarding the privacy of your personal information before signing up.