EarthLink Forces Spammers to Dance Alone

HostReview.com
Wednesday, August 23, 2006; 01:58 AM

For the past decade, consumers and Internet service providers have been dancing the "spam two-step," implementing tools to keep junk mail out of personal inboxes - only to have spammers figure out a work-around. Thanks to EarthLink's new ProtectionPack(TM) featuring Anonymous Email, this online jig with spammers and other Internet predators is now as outdated as the Macarena or the Electric Slide.

EarthLink's Anonymous Email Addresses help the ISP's dial-up, high-speed and Wi-Fi subscribers safeguard their identities by providing email aliases that can be used in lieu of a primary email address to protect personal information, reduce spam and limit Inbox clutter.

"Most of us get about 200 emails a week, and some of it is still junk mail sneaking past our blocking tools - so it's no surprise that our customers are ready for spammers to dance their last dance," said Stephen Currie, EarthLink's director product management, communication products. "EarthLink's ProtectionPack featuring Anonymous Email adds another layer of protection that helps subscribers out-smart spammers and cut-down on the bogus email messages that clog inboxes and can lead to fraud."

EarthLink's Anonymous Email is just the latest protection tool to be introduced by EarthLink, as the ISP has been an innovator in creating and delivering security products for its customers over the past twelve years. The company was the first ISP to offer spamBlocker, a permission-based email solution that enables subscribers to better manage their inboxes, and ScamBlocker, which helps protect users from phishers.

What's So Different?

While many consumers have always used multiple email addresses to filter their inboxes, EarthLink's Anonymous Email Addresses simplify this experience by automatically generating email addresses and folders, so users don't have to take time to set-up new email accounts, remember new passwords, or define server-side filtering to have spam messages delivered to specific folders.

How Does It Work?

To activate this service, EarthLink subscribers can simply visit www.protectionpack.net and enter their EarthLink email address and password. After verifying the security code and clicking "submit," five new Anonymous Email Addresses will immediately be provided and linked to the subscriber's account.

A ProtectionPack folder will automatically be created in the subscriber's EarthLink Web Mail account, with a folder for each Anonymous Email Address. Subscribers will have immediate access to these separate addresses for Web site registrations, online shopping, or sending and receiving email without exposing their identity.

    EarthLink subscribers who use Anonymous Email Addresses will benefit from:
    * Increased privacy, email identity protection and spam defense
    * A single login to access Web Mail inbox and Anonymous Email Address
      folders
    * Automatically organized folders for emails to each Anonymous Email
      Address
    * Convenient use for website registration, online purchases, or sending
      and receiving email
    * Track marketers who sell email addresses and other information provided
      during online registration

For a demo of EarthLink's ProtectionPack featuring Anonymous Email Addresses or to sign up, visit www.protectionpack.net.

"EarthLink. We revolve around you(TM)." As the nation's next generation Internet service provider, Atlanta-based EarthLink has earned an award-winning reputation for outstanding customer service and its suite of online products and services. Serving over five million subscribers, EarthLink offers what every user should expect from their Internet experience: high-quality connectivity, minimal online intrusions and customizable features. Whether it's dial-up, high-speed, voice, web hosting, wireless or "EarthLink Extras" like home networking or security, EarthLink connects people to the power and possibilities of the Internet. Learn more about EarthLink by calling (800) EARTHLINK or visiting EarthLink's Web site at www.EarthLink.net.