I hadn’t fully realized the extent of the computer hacking 
problem until I began receiving feedback from the article I 
recently wrote.  Apparently, lots of others have had similar 
– and some much more upsetting experiences.  Web sites that 
legitimate individuals worked hard to create and optimize have 
been “visited and changed”, and e-mails have gone out, supposedly
from their address, but in actuality from some computer spewing 
fraudulent messages – and very likely to millions of recipients 
they don’t even know about.

I’ve had that dreaded experience a number of times.  Since 
I write frequently and send out lots of articles, I decided 
to use a distribution service, the Phantom Writers 
(http://www.thephantomwriters.com) to try and eliminate some 
of these problems.  It’s helped enormously.  Now, the only 
e-mail account I need worry about is my “throw-away” one, 
where all the junk mail goes.

Actually, since I’ve begun using private messaging, I’ve found 
that spam and junk mail are a thing of the past.  With private 
messaging, there is no spam – it’s a closed environment – and 
the only people who are sending me messages are my friends and 
family.  These are people I want to hear from, and look forward 
to hearing from.  There’s no advertising, and I don’t have to 
be afraid of receiving computer viruses – that doesn’t happen.  
I know that whenever I send or receive using this service, my 
communication will be private and secure.  And I find it easier 
than e-mail.

So for the most part, my e-mail situation is under control.  
The major issue now is unscrupulous companies – and they know 
who they are – who plant their unwanted advertising and spyware 
on computers.  To my mind, this is trespass.  They are unwelcome 
intruders.  Are they so desperate, and is their product or 
service so poor, that they must advertise in such questionable 
ways?  Breaking into someone’s computer doesn’t seem the best 
way to gain trust.

Anyone who even takes the time to read these offers is only 
contributing to the problem.  Perhaps if they find that no 
one is paying attention, and that this form of advertising is 
counter-productive, (which in my case it is), they will find 
another way to hawk their wares.

Those sending spam have been put on notice that this won’t be 
tolerated.   Perhaps we should do the same for those who want 
to gain control of our computers without our consent.