The Australian Communications and Media Authority has implemented the SpamMATTERS reporting and forensic analysis system to help fight spam. This program was initialised in May 2006 and by 31 August 2006, over 102,000 members of the general public had submitted in excess of 7.3 million items of spam. That's alot of spam.
A SpamMATTERS reporting ‘button’ is available for download and installation into the Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express email programs. Once installed, users can simultaneously delete their spam and report it to ACMA with one click of their mouse. You can also submit spam anonymously via ACMA’s anonymous online spam submission form.
Spam reported using the button is forensically intact and contains the information that ACMA needs to track down spammers and take action against them. All information gathered by ACMA is passed on to the police for further action. I haven't noticed any reduction in spam, and if anything it's gotten worse, so I'm not sure how effective this fight against spam is.
If we all participate it might make a difference.
I have less than a year now to give up smoking, I promised the kids I'd give up before I turn 50. The count-down has begun.