What is Spam and How Can You Protect Yourself From It?
Tired of constant spam messages, robocalls, and junk mail? At best, they're annoying. At worst, they're dangerous, infecting your device with malware and viruses. So, what is spam? And how can you prevent it?
What is Spam?
In digital communication, spam refers to emails, messages, or texts that are unsolicited and sent in bulk. Advertisers use spam emails to promote their products and services, hoping that a wide reach will lead to enough conversions. But it's also used by hackers to distribute phishing emails and malware, making it not just annoying but dangerous. The term "spam" is believed to have originated from a 1970s episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus. In it, a couple tries to order breakfast, but every item on the menu includes Spam (a brand of canned meat). At one point, a group of Vikings starts singing a song that repeatedly includes the word "spam," drowning out all other conversation. This concept of inescapability made its way into the digital world in the early days of the internet. In chat rooms and early online games, people would flood the conversation with nonsensical messages, which was likened to the repetitive and inescapable nature of the word "spam" in the Monty Python sketch. Over time, the term "spam" came to be associated with any kind of unwanted, repetitive online content, especially unsolicited emails sent in bulk.
How to Identify Spam
Identifying spam, whether in the form of emails, text messages, or calls, is crucial in protecting yourself from scams and potential threats. How can you tell if a message is legitimate or if you're one of thousands of unfortunate souls who received the same email?
Here are some signs to look out for:
Unsolicited Contact
If you receive a message from an unknown source or unexpectedly, especially if it requests personal information or action, be cautious.
Too Good to Be True
Offers that seem overly generous or promise something for nothing are often scams. This includes winning lotteries you didn't enter or offers of large sums of money in exchange for a $50 gift card.
Urgent or Threatening Language
Spammers often create a sense of urgency using threatening language—they want to provoke immediate action. Phrases like "act now," "urgent response needed," or "your account will be terminated" are their favorites.
Request for Personal Information
Legitimate companies will never ask for sensitive information through email or text messages.
Generic Greetings
Spam messages often contain generic phrases like "Dear customer" or "Dear [email address]" instead of your real name or username.
Poor Design and Copy
Many spam messages contain noticeable spelling and grammar mistakes and sound like they were written by a robot—because they most likely were. Spam emails rely on quantity, not quality.
Mismatched URLs
Hover over any links in the email (without clicking) to see if the URL matches the text or the supposed website of the sender. Mismatched URLs are a huge red flag — never click on them.
What Types of Spam Exist?
Spam is constantly evolving and has taken on many forms. Let's explore some of the most common types of spam you might encounter in your daily digital life.
Email Phishing
This involves sending emails with a forged sender address. They often appear to come from someone you know or trust—like your bank, a popular clothing brand, or your boss. The purpose of these scams can range from stealing personal information to spreading malware. Email phishing can be particularly dangerous because it exploits your inherent trust and, if enough effort is put into it, doesn’t have any signs of a traditional scam.
Malware Spam
Used to distribute malware, these emails typically contain attachments or links that, once clicked, will download malicious software onto your device. It remains the most effective and popular method for delivering malware.
Text and Call
Spam Spam has gone beyond emails to bother us on our phones too. Text message and call spam often include unsolicited promotions, fake warnings, or phishing scams.
Sweepstakes Winners
Contacts claiming you've won a prize. Scammers will most likely request personal information or payment to "release" your prize. It's an old trick but still surprisingly effective.
Tech Support Scams
Scammers pose as tech support representatives from companies like Apple or Microsoft, claiming there's a virus or problem with your computer that requires immediate attention. They may ask for remote access to your device or for payment to "fix" a non-existent problem.
Money Scams
Promising large returns for a small initial investment or requesting help in transferring large sums of money, promising a cut in return. These scams play on greed and trust, leading to significant financial losses.
