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January 13th, 2007, 14:31 GMT · By Bogdan Popa

How to Protect Yourself against SMS Spam

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The Spam is definitely a problem for all the internet users because the e-mail account is full with advertising messages or even with infected attachments. That's why all the software developers are continuously working to design a powerful solution that can protect our systems against these unwanted messages. You should know that the Internet contains multiple ways for spamming, the e-mail being only one of the targets. Some time ago, I wrote an article about the blog spamming that attacked
blog owners with a lot of comments. At that time, bloggers used the captcha feature to block all the programs that posted the messages automatically so the issue was already fixed.

The latest spam alternative is the SMS spam that sends mobile messages to all clients of a specific operator without any way of blocking them being available. It seems like December was the month with the biggest number of SMS spam reports as F-Secure sustains. Imagine that this is one of the most annoying spam methods because the users are very vulnerable, without any solution to block the messages.

"We did talk briefly with couple of GSM operators about how to block this problem and avoid it bothering people. From what we have learned, if you as a customer of a cellular operator receive SMS spam and don't want to see more spam delivered to your mobile phone, you should report this to your operator's customer support. While we are very interested in getting reports about different SMS spam, we cannot as a third party report the abuse of the cellular operator's network. The cellular operators are able to control their networks, but they need to be informed by you, the customer, if their network is being abused against you," F-Secure said.

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READER COMMENTS:


Comment #1 by: Ezraeitan on 20 Apr 2007, 02:13 UTC reply to this comment

SMS Spam is a nuisance in the least and a menace in potential.

There is no known effective user or subscribers based SMS spam blocker or filter. The whole onus or capability shifts to the side of the network operator or 'telco'.

See www.powerpromo.com.my ; this is an example of an application service called 'text banner advertising' ; under trail by a telco in Malaysia. It proposes to alleviate ( not eliminate) SMS spamming for genuine advertisers by providing advertiser with an alternative SMS channel that avoids spamming their customer.

Introduced in concert with a network based Spam filter ( which exists!!! example see www.avmob.com for IMF) this would provide subscribers with an effective tool to block any form of spamming; be it nuisance or malicious whilst protecting genuine advertising channels.

Comment #1.1 by: maverick on 11 Nov 2011, 15:15 GMT

Well, this is an old post, but the problem is still relevant today inspite of attempts from regulatory agencies, Telco's etc. If you are from India then you probably understand how gigantic this problem is. As a smartphone user in India, I found my respite on Nokia Ovi store. The application is Phone Warrior and it filters spam very effectively for me.


Comment #2 by: Consumer Rights Activist on 24 Aug 2007, 03:14 UTC reply to this comment

If you were charged on your cell phone bill for ringtones or other mobile content that you never ordered or were sent unsolicited SMS text message spam, you might want to get in touch with some class action attorneys.

These guys are investigating unauthorized cell phone charges SMS spam and might be able to help you:

http://www.classactionconnect.com/?q=node/680


Comment #3 by: kenlac on 05 Mar 2008, 21:35 UTC reply to this comment

I just spoke to Verizon customer support -- they say they have no way to report spam texts.

Jackasses ruin yet another good thing in life.


Comment #4 by: Natalie on 11 Sep 2008, 08:49 UTC reply to this comment

I think you are all right, never respond th SPAM

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