Nobody likes receiving spam emails, but it happens all the time to every email account over and over and over again. Research shows that spam can equal at least 50% of your incoming emails. Imagine all the energy you waste mentally sorting through spam mail when you just need to access important messages. Spam is a huge time interruption and puts a big dent in productivity. Most people know the basics; if it sounds too good to be true, then trash it, but spam is never-ending, and the originators become more and more clever as they work to deceive the recipient and manipulate the reader.
One of the most basic but powerful steps to eliminating spam emails is to install Anti-Spam & Anti-Virus Software. In addition, every business and email account holder should also educate themselves on the best practices for handling and managing spam emails. Be proactive, think it through, and follow the key steps below to identify spam emails. Don’t let the spam clam up your system.
1. Get that anti-spam and anti-virus software installed or updated
Install your Anti-Spam and Anti-Virus software if you’ve been putting it off. Anti-Spam and Anti-Virus software is the most basic and most crucial step in protecting yourself and your systems from danger, blocking repeat offenders and dangerous malware, phishing attacks, email spoofing, and viruses. And don’t forget to keep your Anit-Spam/Anti-Virus Software up to date.
2. Be suspicious of fake email addresses
Fake or spoofed email addresses that look like they come from someone you know and trust are frequently used to trick the recipient. Look at the email address, not just the name. Is it really the sender’s email address? It is a simple process to change the header name or header information for emails so that the sender’s name and email address don’t match. Spammers will change the name to make it seem that it is coming from a familiar person or business. You can also google the sender’s name followed by ‘spam’ to see if this is a common scam making its way around the internet. Next, look at the email address; more importantly, look at the section after the @ symbol. Does it make sense? Does that email address include characters or symbols instead of actual letters? Would a big box retailer send emails from hotmail.com, for example? Would they use words that don’t connect to the business name? Google the business, and check out the contacts section to confirm.
3. Don’t open attachments
Unless you are 100% certain it comes from a trusted source or a legitimate email address, don’t click that link or open that attachment. A quick phone call, email, or text to the sender to confirm they sent an email with an attachment can save you and your business a lot of grief. If the email is from a retailer or other source that isn’t so quick and easy to check, go through all the steps we’ve outlined to protect yourself and your system.
4. Never send sensitive personal information over an email
Banks and legitimate businesses will never send you emails asking for credit card numbers, passwords, or other personal information. These emails are phishing scams designed to look like they come from your bank or familiar businesses but contain URLs linking to malicious sites asking for your personal information. So don’t do it, don’t click that link, and don’t enter your password, credit card number, or bank account number. Instead, go directly to the business or banking website and log in or call the bank or credit card company using the customer service number on the back of your card. Do not call any number shown in the email, as this will be a further attempt to convince you that it is a legitimate request.
5. Be suspicious
Is it too good to be true? Did you win a jackpot without ever buying a ticket? Will the government really give you cash for doing almost nothing? Is someone you don’t know and never met going to share millions with you? Promises of money are a sure sign that it is a phishing scam. So don’t click that link and don’t share your information.
6. Train your email filters
One of the most straightforward steps you can take is training your email filters to identify spam emails. It is as simple as moving the email to your spam folder or simply hitting the spam button. Both will train your spam filters to provide more effective spam protection. It isn’t immediate, but it works.
Protect yourself and your system on all levels. Keep your Anti-Virus and Anti-Spam software active and updated and be smart, think it through, and don’t get lured in or netted by spam and phishing scams.
