But in your browser just click on 'View Source Code' and search for letters 'http'. That will take you to spammer's affiliate link.

(2) Reporting to Web Hosts

If spam doesn't contain an affiliate link, its likely that it is coming from owner of domain name. In that case you'll have to report it to spammer's web host or their ISP.

To make a report to spammer's web host just go to Whois, directory of registered domain names: http://www.netsol.com/cgi-bin/whois/whois

Type in spammer's domain (the website address that appears in spam) together with extension (.com, .org, .net etc).

The host for that domain will usually be listed as Technical Contact in Whois record and there will be an email address for contacting them.

(3) Reporting to ISPs

To report a spammer to his Internet Service Provider, you'll have to look at spam's 'extended headers'.

Extended headers show servers that message passed through in order to get to you. The instructions for viewing extended headers will vary depending on what email client you are using.

=> In Pegasus Mail, open offending message and then right-click and choose 'Show raw message data'.

=> In Eudora Light, click on 'Tools' in top menu bar, and then 'Options', and then select checkbox option that says 'Show all headers (even ugly ones)' and click OK.

=> In Outlook Express, open offending message, select 'Properties' from File menu and then click 'Details' tab.

Reading and understanding extended headers is quite a detailed subject. Here's an excellent free tutorial on how to decipher extended headers: http://www.doughnut.demon.co.uk/SpamTracking101.html

As an alternative to these reporting techniques, you could use a web-based spam reporting service such as SpamCop (www.spamcop.net). SpamCop deciphers spam's message headers and traces mail back to its source.

However, SpamCop is known to generate complaints about innocent third parties, and as a result, many system administrators ignore complaints received from SpamCop.

There is one kind of spam that techniques in this article probably won't help you with: spam from China.

This is most peculiar spam you're ever likely to receive. For example I regularly get messages from a certain ChenHua of China-Lutong mechanical company asking me if I would like to order hydraulic heads for VE distributor pump.

Spam is not an issue in China so it's unlikely you would stop spammer by reporting him to a 3rd party. However, while doing research for this article I came across a web page that offers a very ingenious (though rather severe) solution to Chinese spam.

The Chinese government recently ordered all ISPs in China to start monitoring email for subversive phrases. This anti-spammer replies to Chinese spam with a message that includes subversive phrases, such as "weapons and ammunition", "Falung Gong" and "Free Tibet".

But I don't recommend you do this - Chinese spammer could end up spending years in a forced labor camp. Even worst spammer in world doesn't deserve that.

Good luck in your fight against spam!

It is also highly possible that someone is having fun subscribing you to things. Never count that one out, it happens all of time.

GOOD vs BAD Personally, I would much rather get NO spam, however if I had to choose, I would have to go with good spam. Bad spam demonstrates that sender KNOWS what is NOT acceptable and went to all of this trouble and expense to hide behind this long trail of fake addresses. These are malicious acts, and down right dirty. Do they really think that what they are trying to sell in this manner is actually worth it? These are people we should be upset with. These are people that we need to be telling, "I'll get you my pretty, and your little server too!"

So, whether you agree or disagree, just try to keep in mind that -1. The whole world is not out to get you. -2. Not every piece of spam is sent with same intent. And... -3. As world around us continues to change, we will be seeing more and more companies resorting to sending their junk mail through email rather then post office. (I think this is becoming a more desirable thing to us all, as it would be much safer, take less effort to get rid of, & is better for environment.)

Now is time to try to adjust our view and approach issue with a level head. If we don't we will drive ourselves mad, and for what purpose? The changes in our world cause internet to change. Soon you probably will find yourself saying, "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore".

Sara Hardy Publisher of The OnLine Exchange Ezine. We have been in circulation for over 3 years, with over 28,000 faithful subscribers. Go here to subscribe: http://marketingtrendz.com and start your FREE Membership to our Profit Zone, giving you unlimited access to FREE marketing tools, ebooks, resources and more!