While using e-mail, have you ever received a message from a foreign e-mail address offering you a large-rewarded product or gift?
If you don't know, these messages are usually called spam messages. But what exactly is meant by spam?
In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about spam. Starting from the definition, types, and how to overcome them.
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What is Spam?
The word spam stands for Sending and Posting Advertisements in Mass. This means that one of the hallmarks of spam messages is that they are mass-delivered promotional messages.
Spam messages are often found in your email inbox and even your phone's inbox. Typically, these messages contain advertising content that the recipient of the message does not want.
The main motive of spam is to promote a product or service. In fact, Spamlaws shows that 36% of all spam messages sent each day contain advertisements.
However, sometimes spam messages also contain malicious content such as malware, viruses, and also scams. In fact, spam can also be used by hackers to steal personal information such as your bank account details.
If you frequently receive messages from unknown email addresses or numbers, it means that your number and email address are at a high risk of spamming.
But guess why you can get spam messages? And where do spammers get your emails from? Here are some of the reasons why your email and number often get spam messages:
- A data leak has occurred. If you have entered your cellphone number and email in an application on the internet and there is a data leak on that platform, your data can be used by irresponsible parties.
- Your number and email are found randomly. Spammers can also find your phone number and email by guessing your email address manually.
- You often enter your personal data on online platforms. Not all online applications can be trusted, irresponsible platforms can sell your data to spammers.
Be careful in entering your personal data online to avoid spam messages.
Types of Spam Messages
After knowing the meaning of spam, it's time for you to know the types of spam messages that are often encountered.
Apart from advertising, there are many other motives that encourage spammers to send spam messages. Here are some types of spam that are categorized according to their purpose.
1. Promotional Spam
The first type of spam is promotional spam which has the purpose of promoting a product or service offered by a brand. This type of spam is relatively harmless and poses no threat to the recipient.
2. Malware Spam
The second type of spam that is often encountered is malware spam. Malware spam messages usually contain malicious files that aim to spread viruses and infect the operating system of the recipient's device.
The main purpose of this malware virus also varies. Often, this type of spam is used to steal recipient data or to corrupt device data.
The method used to get malware onto a device is usually in the form of a download, an image, or an external link that the recipient will open.
3. Phishing Spam
In fact, phishing scams are a subset of spam malware. Phishing is a fraudulent practice where spammers pretend to be well-known brands that provide promotions and gifts.
The main purpose of phishing spam is to get victims to be willing to provide important information to spammers without suspecting it.
Typically, a phishing spam message will look exactly like the brand it's impersonating. Starting from the headline, the subject of the message, to the name of the sender.
However, if you pay close attention, the number and email address of the phishing spammer do not usually come from a valid business number or email.
4. Scam Spam
Fraudulent spam can be considered as one of the most dangerous types of spam for recipients. The main purpose of this message is to deceive the recipient with a sizable gift offer.
Spammers will send messages containing announcements of prize draw events or the like.
Later, when the recipient replies to the message, the spammer will ask the recipient to send personal data and an amount of money before they can get the prize won.
Another method of fraudulent spam can be in the form of “mama asks for credit” which went viral a few years ago.
Spammers will pretend to be a close person who is trusted by the victim and they will ask for help in the form of money.
Usually, the spammer will pretend to be in big trouble to get the victim to send the money right away.
How to Overcome Spam
Here are some ways you can overcome spam messages that you might receive later.
1. Never Open Spam Messages
One of the first rules of spam messages is not to open them. If you find a spam message in your email inbox or on your phone, there's no need to panic!
You just need to refrain from opening the email. If you open the message, spammers will know that the number or email address they are referring to is active and will continue to send more messages in the future.
2. Mark Mysterious Messages As Spam
So, after not opening spam messages, what do you think you need to do after that?
If you receive the message in your phone's inbox, the easiest solution is to delete the email right away.
However, if you get an email spam message, it would be even better if you deal with it by marking the email or message as spam.
This way, the email will be detected as an unknown message. So, if the spammer sends another spam email, your email platform will automatically detect the message right away.
3. Use Antivirus / Antimalware
Antivirus and antimalware can also prevent and protect you from all kinds of spam. By using antimalware, the system will automatically delete and mark the message as spam.
For email, you can install an antivirus on your computer. As for mobile devices, you can use free anti-malware apps on the Playstore and App Store to add another layer of security.
Conclusion
Today, spam is one of the biggest threats on the Internet. Apart from being annoying, spam can also be very detrimental to the recipient. Especially if the recipient replies and responds to the spam message.
That is why a layered security strategy or layer approach is very important for internet users. Equip your device or network with multiple layers of security such as a virtual private network and powerful anti-malware.
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