What Is Spam?
Spam is any email
messages that contains commercial advertising. In most cases, spam is
unsolicited, sent out on an extremely large scale and a nuisance to email
users. It is estimated that as much as 95% of all email messages sent are spam
of some type.
Spammers, as those who
send the messages are called, typically purchase lists of email recipients or
collect email addresses from various places on the web, including information
forms as well as public sites with email listings. Additionally, spammers also
may use computer programs that randomly "guess" email addresses as
well.
Effects of Spam
Aside from cluttering up
your inbox and being a time waster and a nuisance, there are other reasons that
spam should be controlled. First of all, spam is often a source of computer
viruses. Malicious people who create viruses often disguise them as emails from
legitimate advertising sources to encourage users to open or download content.
Secondly, spam is often used as a weapon of theft, fraud, or scams. Emails that
mimic real companies asking for your login information, personal data, or
payment information cost innocent consumers' everyday.
Avoiding Spam
The easiest way to
protect yourself from the headaches associated with spam is to know how to
avoid it altogether. Here are some of the most effective techniques!
Use a Spam Filter: Most
email accounts will offer some sort of spam filter. However, it is up to the
user to activate this feature and set the parameters of it. Take the time to
ensure that a spam filter is in place for all email accounts and review and or
adjust the settings to ensure they are effective. Also, as email shows up in
your inbox that you identify as spam, take time to mark it as spam instead of
just deleting it.
Create A Disposable
Email Address: If you must give out your email to sources that will list
it publicly, sell it, or that are just questionable in general, it is a great
idea to have a disposable email account for this purpose. Basically, this is an
email that is only used for spam or sign-ups, and not for important or personal
emails.
Have a Unique Email
Address: As mentioned earlier, many spammers use programs that
randomly generate email addresses based on "guesses". These are
typically commonly used emails (like john.smith@emailserver.com). To avoid
having your account to be "guessed", use a combination of letters and
numbers and make it as uncommon as possible.
Unsubscribe: When
you sign up for various things around the web, you are often given a chance to
uncheck a subscription box for email. Make it a habit to do this at each signup
you perform. Also, many online stores, merchants, and advertisers will have
directions at the bottom of emails on how to unsubscribe if you desire. Doing
this will help to remove your email address from many spamming lists.
Hide Your Identity/Email
Address: Many people become a target for spam because they post to
the web, chat, and perform other online functions with their email address
visible. When making comments on blog posts, posting in forums, chatting, or
other communications that are public, do not publish your email address, use it
in a signature, or create a screen name that is identical to your email
address. If you must tell someone your email address on a public site, use a
disposable email address instead of your primary email.
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