Cara- Of course "someone" (a spider) grabs the admin and list and request addresses off the list index pages -- those addresses are not encrypted there. Your PERSONAL email address isn't exposed in this manner in the list archives (it is encrypted). So you are probably getting the spam as the list admin. It doesn't have anything to do with the list being idle...it has everything to do with the addresses being "out there" on the index pages. I'm assuming you are NOT referring to any spam actually hitting your list or any spam that you can delete from Pending Requests but rather with the mail to the admin address that comes to you inbox. If so, just delete it unread OR send it to abuse@rootsweb.com. Do NOT report it anywhere else (to your ISP for example) as spam. Let RootsWeb handle it. Joan In a message dated 5/7/2012 6:29:28 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, cara_links@bigpond.com writes: I know these questions have been asked a million times, but I need to ask again myself about the latest issues I am dealing with. An Old list that has been taken over by myself and a co admin, is receiving so much spam mail, all addressed either personally ( which worries me) or to the rootsweb admin. Questions:- Would it be that the list was idle for well over 2 years that we are receiving so much spam, and is their any suggestions to ease it off real fast, any known methods would be gratefully received. I do wonder if someone does take these addresses that are out there and sells them on, there has got to be an easier way to stop this via Rootsweb, but that is another issue and one I am just making an observation on, not wishing it to become a topic the above part is my worry right now. Thankyou all for any ideas, suggestions and such you may have Cara ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to LISTOWNERS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message