A majority of consumers surveyed by e-mail services provider Bigfoot Interactive say that the volume of spam in their inboxes has lessened and that the e-mail they get from companies they do business with has become more targeted and relevant over the past year.
The poll of more than 1,000 online consumers determined that 57% strongly agreed or somewhat agreed that they’re receiving less spam, while 39% disagreed and 4% said they didn’t know. 57% said they’re getting more relevant e-mail from companies than they did from the same companies a year ago, while 35% disagreed with that statement and 8% had no response.
The survey determined that consumers are finding it difficult to recognize phishing attacks. Only 32% were confident that they could detect a fraudulent e-mail designed to look like a legitimate communication from a business or financial institution. The use of anti-spam software among consumers is high, the survey found: 65% of those polled are using such protection. Spyware was another identified issue – 82% of those polled say they are concerned about spyware as it relates to their privacy online, and 55% believe their computer has been infected with a spyware program.
To further reduce spam and boost online security, consumers polled showed an interest in verification systems from their Internet service provider or e-mail provider. 89% said they would like their ISP/e-mail provider to attach icons to incoming e-mail to verify it’s from a trusted source, while 86% strongly or somewhat agreed they would like their ISP/e-mail provider to offer an unsubscribe option that would safely remove them from e-mail lists.
“It is official: the industry’s hard work is paying off and consumers are seeing less spam and clutter in the inbox for the first time in years,” says Al DiGuido, CEO of Bigfoot Interactive. “At the same time, legitimate marketers are becoming much smarter about crafting e-mail communications that meet the needs, interests, and preferences of their customers.” DiGuido adds that staying on top of the spam problem will require continuing efforts on the technological front, including authentication, accreditation and reputation-based solutions, as well as continued education of consumers and marketers.
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