Spam Has Officially Influenced My Online Decision Making
Tuesday I filled out an online form, requesting more information on residential solar power systems. I've filled out numerous Web forms in the past, but for the first time I left the e-mail field blank and filled in my home address and phone number.
In a million years I never thought I'd leave this field blank (and actually provide my phone number), but as I filled out the form it hit me. The onslaught of spam I've received to my personal e-mail account usually occurs a couple of days after I fill out an online form.
For the first time, I actually decided, rationally or irrationally, that I'd prefer literature in the mail or a phone call; the possibility of a company selling my phone number and mailing address; and a bite from a spider hiding in my mailbox than system infection through a virus hiding in an e-mail.
Boy, how times have changed.