People unknowingly provide addresses for spammers lists, pass on computer viruses, and gum-up the internet. Here's how.
We've all been there...."starving abused child"..."pass this around the world"...."free clothes"..."free computers".... "beta testing"..."Internet tax", "warning" etc. By circulating or forwarding email with all previous addy's included you are verifying addys are "live" because you send it to "10 of your closest friends"!
Often these forwards come from computer pals, but may also contain a virus which, of course, spreads as the email is passed around.
Hidden (invisible) in this "pass this on" mail are embedded codes that computer robots use for harvesting addys (yours and all your friends) which are collected and sold to spam houses.
To avoid being sold and selling out your friends to spammers (and to not spread viruses), do not participate! Regardless of how innocent they may appear, do not pass on forwards or chain anything.
The longer these forwards get, the more bandwidth space is used up. The more space they use, the more overloaded the servers get, jamming the internet and causing access frustration for everyone!
If you think what you receive is worth sharing, cut/copy/paste whatever you wish to share and then delete ALL the rest.
I ask that my E-Mail address not be added to your address book if the intent is to collect addresses for forwarding mass mailings.
Forwarding mass mailings exposes my address, along with many others, to Spam Collectors. If you have such a list, it is only common decency to ask permission of addressees prior to including their names on forwarded mass mailings. One on One messages are most welcome.