Email spoofing is the unauthorized use of a third-party domain name as the sender's name in an e-mail message. A user receives email that appears to have originated from one source when it actually was sent from another. Email spoofing is often an attempt to trick the user into making a damaging statement or releasing sensitive information (such as passwords).

You may be alerted that your domain or email address has been spoofed by reports or complaints from your users or by investigating bounced email error messages. If your email address is a "catchall" set up to catch any and all email sent to your domain name, you could be inundated with bounce reports.

Bizland.com describes how spoofing works:

Spoofing is possibly the most frustrating abuse issue to deal with, simply because it cannot be stopped. You can read about my own frustration when I was spoofed in my blog posts "Email Spoofing - I Hate It!!!" and "Apologizing for something I didn't do."

Unfortunately spoofing is incredibly hard to trace, and the general suggested way to deal with it is to ignore the problem. Spoofing is similar to sending out many letters, signing someone else's name and using someone else's return address. You can imagine how difficult that would be to trace.

These are some favorite tools we use in our business, or are recommended by our clients and associates. Some are FREE, some include free trials, and some have a small fee. Whatever the cost, they may be just the thing your business needs.

iStockPhoto.com
A client turned me onto iStockphoto a few years ago. They're not the absolute best photos ever, but you can't beat the prices. This collection of member-generated royalty-free images, come with no subscription fees or extra costs. You'll find Stock Photography, Vector illustrations, and Flash files online, at prices for everyone.

Google Reader
There are a lot of feed readers for getting the latest entries from your favorite blogs. Google Reader is free and user friendly. It's easy to subscribe to blogs or search for new blogs by category or keywords. You can keep up on friends and family by adding MySpace or Flickr pages. I've got Google Reader set as my browser's home page to make it easier to keep up on posts I might want to include in my own blog.

Spy Sweeper
Dangerous and annoying spyware can infect your system in many different ways when you use the Internet. Spy Sweeper's powerful Smart Shields block known and emerging spyware threats as you browse - before they ever reach your computer and personal information. If your PC is already infected, Spy Sweeper's advanced discovery methods find and destroy malicious spyware that hides within your PC. If you've got kids who like to share files or download music and videos, you can't afford to be without Spysweeper's protection. This product has received rave reviews from PC Magazine, Download.com, PC World, and more. Webroot Software is a Boulder, Colorado company.

LogMeIn
Here's another product I couldn't live without, and if you're on the go and need to access your computer remotely and securely, you won't want to live without it either. LogMeIn lets you access your Windows PC from anywhere in the world. All you need is a computer connected to the Internet. The 256-bit SSL encryption provides powerful security you won't find with other remote access systems. Although I've opted to upgrade to LogMeIn Pro version for more features, you can try the 100% Free version now.

If you want more customers to "stick" with you, John Jantsch's book, Duct Tape Marketing: The World's Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide, may have exactly what you've been looking for.

Not only has Jantsch produced a great book, but he also has a valuable and entertaining blog: Duct Tape Marketing. Recent posts include interviews with other marketing gurus, networking tips, and business news. Don't miss the post on how small businesses can use video.

"CAREFUL! Duct tape is a serious tool... it sticks where you put it. So are the ideas in this book. If you're ready to make a commitment and are willing to make something happen, John's book is a great place to start."
--Seth Godin, author of Unleashing the Ideavirus

"John Jantsch has provided small businesses with the perfect perspective for maximizing all marketing activities - offline and on. Jantsch has the plan to help you thrive in the world of business today. Read it, all your competitors will."
--John Battelle, cofounding editor or Wired and author of The Search: How Google and Its Rivals Rewrote the Rules of Business and Transformed Our Culture

Kayda, the News Hound, has been busy sniffing out and digging up some tasty treats. When we found her at the CIA (Canine Intelligence Agency), we knew she was the pick of the litter.

Email Marketing Seminars
The Power of Email Marketing
Tuesday, May 8, 9:00-noon
Getting Started with Constant Contact
Tuesday, May 22, 9:00-noon
More coming in June!

Smart Ads Media
If you're looking for a new, cutting-edge, experiential way to get your message out, outdoor advertising on pedicabs may be just the ticket for you. This new division of Whole Brain Tech, Smart Ads offers a fresh new way to create buzz on city streets.

Postage Increase
On May 14 the cost to snail-mail a letter increases to $.41. And yet another reason to use e-mail and pay bills online. For other updated postage rates, visit the US Postal Service website.

Brain Fact: Peripheral Night-Vision

At night, our peripheral vision is better than our foveal (straight on) vision. Hikers at night do better when they look slightly above the trail, and airplane pilots are taught to look for traffic out of the sides of their eyes. This is because our rod cells, photoreceptors that respond best to dim light, are located mostly in the periphery of the retina.