Question about encoding e-mail addresses

[Larry Launstein Jr]

One of my clients has a question about encoding e-mail addresses on his website so web bots cannot read it.

I don't know if it is possible, but if it is, please advise me on whether it would be a good thing or not, and if so, how to go about doing it.

[simonbg]

I think this is well worth doing. Basically, as long as you can't see it when you do "View", "Source", then the bots won't see it.

I would suggest having a simple inquiry form. Users can enter their name, e-mail and query and click send. This has the advantage that you can see that their query was as a result of using the website. If they send you a regular e-mail, you won't be able to tell (unless they say so).

You could also put the e-mail address as a .gif image, so someone can type it in to an e-mail if they prefer.

Personally, I dislike "mailto:" links anyway - so many people use services like Hotmail, in which ase it's annoying to click on one of these links to find some dusty old copy of Outlook Express cranking up on your machine, when you don't even use it!

[paulhiles]

Here's a page that will do the necessary encoding (to Unicode) for you:
Unicode encoder converter (http://www.pinnacledisplays.com/unicode-converter.htm)

The above link comes from a previous discussion that included a number of alternative solutions for reducing the spam harvesting of email addresses.
Spam Prevention Tip (http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=26037)

Hope that helps!

Paul

[Larry Launstein Jr]

I bookmarked the Unicode converter, and one of the other converters listed on the Spam Prevention Tip thread.

I would like to thank everyone for their kind assistance.

I will use these converters from now on for all clients.

[cyanide]

A form would be the better way to go.
If someone doesn't have an email client on the computer their viewing your site with, they won't be able to contact you.

[kre8tor69]

This is the link to the best email encrypter I have found. The next best part it is FREE! You download this small program and use it off line. It will take you back online to check your finished code if you want though.[http://www.tcfb.com/encryptemail.html][/url]