What is spam?
Spam is any email message that contains commercial advertising. In most cases, spam is unsolicited, sent on an extremely large scale, and is a nuisance to email users. It is estimated that up to 95% of all email messages sent are spam of some kind.
Spammers, as senders are called, often buy email recipient lists or collect email addresses from various places on the web, including feedback forms and public sites with email lists. In addition, spammers may also use computer programs that also “guess” random email addresses.
Effects of spam
In addition to cluttering up your inbox and being a waste of time and a nuisance, there are other reasons why spam needs to 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. Second, spam is often used as a weapon of theft, fraud, or scam. Emails that imitate real companies asking for your login information, personal details or payment information cost unsuspecting consumers every day.
Avoid spam
The easiest way to protect yourself from the headaches associated with spam is to know how to avoid it altogether. These are some of the most effective techniques!
Use a spam filter: Most email accounts will offer some type of spam filter. However, it is up to the user to enable this feature and set the parameters of the feature. Take the time to make sure there is a spam filter for all email accounts, and review or adjust your settings to make sure it’s effective. Also, as an email shows up in your inbox that you identify as spam, take the time to mark it as spam instead of just deleting it.
Create a disposable email address: If you must give your email to sources that will list it publicly, sell it, or are just generally questionable, it’s a great idea to have a disposable email account for this purpose. Basically, this is an email that is only used for spam or registrations, and not for important or personal emails.
Have a unique email address: As mentioned above, many spammers use programs that randomly generate email addresses based on “guess.” These are usually common use emails (such as [email protected]). To prevent your account from being “guessed”, use a combination of letters and numbers and make it as uncommon as possible.
Drop out: When you sign up for various things on the web, you are often given the opportunity to uncheck an email opt-in box. Get in the habit of doing this on every record you make. Also, many online stores, merchants, and advertisers will have instructions at the bottom of the emails on how to unsubscribe if you wish. Doing this will help remove your email address from many spam lists.
Hide your identity/email address: Many people become targets of spam because they post to the web, chat, and perform other online functions with their email address visible. When commenting on blog posts, posting in forums, chat or other public communications, 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.
