Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
In this guide, you will learn:
- What is a Spam Email?
- Why do I receive Spam Emails?
- How to Spot a Spam Email
- How to Get Rid of Spam Emails
- How to Report Spammers
- How to Avoid Being Phished
- How to Stop Receiving Spam Emails
What is a Spam Email?
A Spam email, is a type of unsolicited email sent in bulk to a large number of recipients. It is best to avoid opening or responding to spam mail, as it can be both annoying and potentially dangerous. Most email providers have spam filters in place that can help to automatically identify and remove these types of messages, so it is important to make sure that these filters are enabled and functioning properly.
Why do I receive Spam Emails?
Spam emails often promote a product or service, but it may also contain phishing links or malware designed to steal personal information. It may also contain deceptive subject lines or misleading information to lure the recipient to open the email.
How to Spot a Spam Email
As they are tricky to spot, these common characteristics may help you identify a spam email:
- The sender's email address does not match the claimed company or person.
- It has spelling, grammar errors, and awkward phrasing.
- It has vague or sensational subject lines.
- Offers products and services that are too good to be true.
- Urges you to act fast, such as threatening to close an account or offering a limited-time deal.
It is essential to prevent spam mail from clogging your inbox and possibly putting your device at risk.
How to Get Rid of Spam Emails
Here are some tips to reduce the impact of spam mails:
- Instead of responding to spam emails, simply delete them.
- Utilize your email service's spam filters that automatically identify and separate spam messages.
- To stop future spam, click the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email.
- To keep your personal inbox free from spam, create a separate email address for online shopping, newsletters, and other online activities.
- Avoid sharing it publicly or signing up for every website or service that asks for it to prevent it from being picked up by spammers.
How to Report Spammers
Reporting spammers is a crucial step in combating spam and protecting yourself and others from unwanted and potentially harmful messages. Here are some tips on how to report spammers:
- Report the spam to your email provider to flag all incoming emails from them as spam.
- If you receive spam that is fraudulent, deceptive, or violates the CAN-SPAM Act, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://www.ftc.gov/complaint.
- Report phishing scams to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) at reportphishing@apwg.org, a global coalition fighting phishing scams.
- Using their abuse desk or email address, report the spam to the sender's Internet Service Provider (ISP) if you can identify it.
- Report threatening, harassing, or illegal spam to the appropriate authorities, such as the police or your local Internet Crimes Task Force, and keep a record of the spam and related information.
How to Avoid Being Phished
Always practice good email hygiene. Here are some email hygiene best practices you can do:
- Be skeptical of unexpected emails.
- Check the sender's email address.
- Never disclose sensitive or confidential information through email.
- Think before you click.
- Avoid opening links and attachments from unknown senders.
- Hover over links first to check the website it will go.
- Create a strong and unique email account password. Use Trend Micro Password Generator to help you generate better passwords for your accounts.
- Change your passwords regularly. Trend Micro recommends you update them at least every three months.
- Set up Two-Factor Authentication for your online accounts.
How to Stop Receiving Spam Emails
- Turn ON and set your email provider's spam filter. This automatically moves spam messages to a separate folder or deletes them altogether.
- Unsubscribe from unwanted emails to remove yourself from their mailing list.
- Create a dedicated email address for online purchases, newsletter subscriptions, and similar activities that can result in spam, to keep your primary email address less exposed to unwanted emails.
- Never respond to spam emails. Replying to them confirms that your email address is active and could lead to more spam.
- Be careful about sharing your email address online. Spammers often search the web for email addresses to add to their lists, and the more you expose your email address, the more likely you are to receive spam.
Avoid Spam emails with Trend Micro
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If You Have Trend Micro Security Installed
Enable the best Trend Micro settings to protect yourself from online scams by following our guides for Windows, Android and iOS.
If You're Not Yet a Trend Micro User
Install Trend Micro Maximum Security to safeguard your PC and online accounts from malware, fraud, phishing, email hacking, and other targeted attacks. Get the same protection for your mobile devices with Trend Micro Mobile Security for Android and iOS.
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