How to report spam
The easiest way to report spam correctly is by using a third-party reporter. There is software available that will report spam for you, as well as websites that offer a reporting feature.
If you do not have spam reporting software or do not wish to purchase it, the easiest (and free) solution is to use the SpamCop website. It offers a free interface and will take care of reporting spam for you. Use the following link to sign up:
http://www.spamcop.net/anonsignup.shtml
Be sure you know what email program you are using (i.e. Outlook Express, Eudora, Incredimail) before attempting to report spam. Follow the instructions on the website to report the spam you receive.
In order to report spam on SpamCop or through another reporting service, you will need to obtain the header information of the spam email message. Here is a link to assist you in locating and copying the header information:
How to Obtain Message Header Information
Note: Reporting spam by relying on the information in the "Reply-to" line does not usually work. That information is easy to spoof, and most spammers put fake information there.
Here are several sites that offer additional information on reporting spam:
http://spam.abuse.net/userhelp
How to report firewall logs
If you have a firewall on your computer, you may have noticed that it warns you when an attempted intrusion has been blocked. You can actually report those attempts to the would-be intruder's Internet Service Provider to hopefully get them stopped. To do this, you will need to send your firewall logs which show date, time, IP address and the attempted intrusion type.
Note: PenTeleData requires that firewall logs be broken down by IP address. Firewall excerpts pertaining to PenTeleData IP addresses can be forwarded to abuse@ptd.net
Because not all firewall programs are the same, specific information on reporting firewall logs can be obtained from the help menu of your firewall software or by contacting the support department for the software vendor. Additional information can be found here:
http://www.ntlworld.com/helpsupport/security/internetabuse_firewall.php
For all reports:
When submitting complaints (spam, firewall, or otherwise) to PenTeleData please include the following information:
- The IP address used to commit the infraction
- The date that the infraction was committed
- The time that the infraction was committed
- The time zone relevant to when the infraction was committed
- Evidence of the alleged infraction
Email forwarded with full header information is normally sufficient. System or firewall logs will normally provide all of the above. Certain other situations may require additional information as determined by PenTeleData.
Note: All reports (spam or otherwise) forwarded to abuse@ptd.net must pertain to PenTeleData users. PenTeleData does not handle abuse for users of other providers.
If you have questions or need further assistance with these issues, please contact PenTeleData Customer service at the following telephone numbers:
High-Speed Broadband customers: (800) 281-3564 ext 7722
PenTeleData Dial-Up customers: (800) 281-3564 ext 7721
If you think you may have a virus on your computer please keep in mind that PenTeleData's technical support department does not offer support regarding removal of viruses. Please contact your anti-virus software manufacturer or PenTeleData's Professional services for an evaluation and assistance with virus removal and to discuss our services rates.
**Please note that PenTeleData is not affiliated with any of the above listed websites, and therefore we are not responsible for the content of those sites.
How to Obtain Message Header Information
If you are attempting to report information to our Abuse Department (abuse@corp.ptd.net) regarding phishing attempts, virus related attempts and other spam related messages originating from within the PenTeleData network; you will need to obtain the message header information. If you fail to provide this information, PenTeleData will not be able to assist you further. To report messages outside of the PenTeleData network, please forward the spam email to spam@uce.gov, be sure to include the message header along with your complaint. Reports will be generated for the Federal Trade Commission to investigate.
To obtain “Message header” information, please review the below instructions for your current email client:
Note: please be advised that all message submissions will be reviewed; however we do not guarantee a personal reply to messages received.
My PenTeleData Webmail:
1. Point your browser to ptd.net and select the "My PenTeleData Webmail" link.
2. Enter your user name and password and select "Log In".
3. In the message pane, locate the message that you would like to report.
4. Right click the message and select, "Show Original".
5. A new browser window will appear containing the message header information.
6. Copy the text from within this window.
7. When done, close out of properties window. While still on the existing message that you would like to report, choose "Forward". Next, paste the header information into that message by right-clicking again within the message area and choosing "Paste". Alternatively, you can do so by clicking "Edit" on the pull-down menu and select "Paste". When done, click "Send".
Microsoft Outlook 2000, 2002/XP, 2003:
1. To begin, open Microsoft Outlook.
2. Locate the message that you would like to report. Next, double click the message to open in a separate window.
3. In the message window, select the "View" menu. Next, click "Options".
4. Copy the text from within the "Internet Headers" window.
5. When done, close out of properties window. While still on the existing message that you would like to report, choose "Forward". Next, paste the header information into that message by right-clicking again within the message area and choosing "Paste". Alternatively, you can do so by clicking "Edit" on the pull-down menu and select "Paste". When done, click "Send".
Microsoft Outlook 2007/2010:
1. To begin, open Microsoft Outlook.
2. Locate the message that you would like to report. Next, double-click the message to open in a separate window.
3. In the message window, select the "File". Next, click "Properties".
4. Copy the text from within the "Internet Headers" window.
5. When done, close out of properties window. While still on the existing message that you would like to report, choose “Forward.” Next, paste the header information into that message by right-clicking again within the message area and choosing "Paste". Alternatively, you can do so by clicking "Edit" on the pull-down menu and select "Paste". When done, click "Send".
Windows Mail/Windows Live Mail:
1. To begin, open Windows Live Mail or Windows Mail.
2. Locate the message that you would like to report, right click the message and select "Properties."
3. The message “Properties” window will now appear, choose the "Details" tab.
4. Copy the text from within the "Internet Headers" window.
5. When done, close out of properties window. While still on the existing message that you would like to report, choose “Forward.” Next, paste the header information into that message by right-clicking again within the message area and choosing “Paste.” Alternatively, you can do so by clicking “Edit” on the pull-down menu and select “Paste.” When done, click “Send.”
Thunderbird:
1. To begin, open Thunderbird.
2. Locate the message that you would like to report. Next, double-click the message to open in a separate window.
3. In the message window, select the "View" menu. Next, click "Message Source".
4. Copy the “Message header” information that appears at the top of the properties window.
5. When done, close out of properties window. While still on the existing message that you would like to report, choose "Forward". Next, paste the header information into that message by right-clicking again within the message area and choosing "Paste". Alternatively, you can do so by clicking “Edit” on the pull-down menu and select “Paste.” When done, click "Send".
Mac Mail (OS X):
1. To begin, open Mail.
2. Locate the message that you would like to report. Next, double-click the message to open in a separate window.
3. In the message window, select the "View" menu. Next, click "Message Source", and finally "Raw Source".
4. Copy the "Message header" information that appears in this window.
5. When done, close out of properties window. While still on the existing message that you would like to report, choose "Forward". Next, paste the header information into that message by clicking "Edit" on the pull down menu and select "Paste". When done, click "Send".