TL, DR:
- Spam is an email, text, call, or any data-receiving method that receivers don’t want to receive.
- Scammers can steal one’s identity, money, and personal account and take advantage for illegal purposes.
- Spam links or emails may contain malware, which can take control, spy on electrical devices, or damage the system.
- If you receive spam, you had better not respond, click on links, or enclose data, but report and block the email/ phone number.
Intro
“Spam” has been a common topic for discussion in technology and privacy forums in the last few years. Many people have talked about how annoying it is and how it is dangerous for your security.
However, in short, it is still vague about what spam is, how many types of them, and how to avoid it effectively. This article will guide you through spamming and all related issues.
What is spamming?
According to Cambridge Dictionary, “spam” is a term to describe email, text, calls, or any type of data distribution that the receivers have no intention of getting. Typically, “spam” content serves advertising, marketing, and sales purposes.
In the 2010s, when mentioning “spam”, most people think about spam emails from Marketing campaigns. However, as time passes, the advertising technique has reached another level. You may get not only spam emails but also spam messages, spam calls, or spam social media comments.
Types of spam
There are many types of spam across the Internet. In short, we can categorize them into three types: email, text, and calls.
Email spam
Theoretically, spam email, or junk email, refers to commercial electronic mail sent in bulk that receivers don’t intend to get. Most of the time, they promote products and services, but sometimes junk emails can also contain scams or illegal content.
This is the most common spam content. Since the beginning of digital marketing, marketers have realized the positive effect of using email to connect with strangers and convert them into potential leads. Compared to other forms of communication like social media connections, direct calls, and text messages, email is considered more private and direct to customers.
Almost every business in this digital era uses email to communicate and promote its services, so it is impossible to categorize all spam emails into groups. However, according to Kaspersky’s research, 50% of spam emails worldwide fall into the following types:
- Adult content
- Healthcare
- IT-related
- Education
- Personal finance
Spam calls
Have you ever experienced a robocall? Many people receive unwanted calls from strangers with a weird and nonsense sound chain or robotic-alike guidance asking them to access an unknown link on a message. Usually, these spam calls go along with social media or SMS text messages.
Fortunately, spam calls are easier to detect than spam emails. If you receive calls with the mentioned signs, just block them and report the spam number immediately.
Spam text
Kaspersky defines spam texts as messages that are unsolicited and unwanted. Mostly, scammers will randomize the phone number through software, and send bulk texts to them. The process is fast and cheap, but the reach is incredibly high.
It is easy to recognize a spam text just as spam calls. However, as time goes on, scammers are increasingly skillful in their tricks. They use similar names and phone numbers as legitimate senders, using forceful words to pressure people to click on links and leak data.
What should you do when receiving spam?
Not reply
In general, if you receive text, calls, or emails from resources that you have never signed up for or have any encounter with, and it requires you to click on the link to provide information or download, that is definitely spam.
In those situations, the best resolution is to not reply. The more you respond, the easier it is for spammers to detect your behavior and customize their scheme to steal your data. You are also confirmed that your number is the active one that will read all text, even from strangers, which is harmful to your privacy.
Additionally, sometimes the scammers may ask you to reply “Stop” or “Unsubscribe” if you want them to, but in fact, they will never do that. They will approach you even denser.
Not click on any link
Most links included in spam text contain malware or similar virus that can take control of your device or account. If not, the links also navigate you to fake websites that are only set up for stealing your data or money. In some cases, the link can distribute spy malware to keep track of your private information, slowing down the phone in the long term.
Therefore, you should not click on any external links that show signs of collecting your data or requesting personal contacts. Sometimes you need to fill in your information for further purposes – in those situations, never enclose any top confidential personal information.
Report or block the scammer
When you identify a scammer’s phone number or email, block them immediately and then report the issue to relevant service providers. By using this tactic, you will decrease the chance of getting similar spam and help others not to receive either.
Closing Thoughts
In a nutshell, spam is receiving unwanted emails, texts, and calls that can lead to data privacy crises and further consequences. Everyone must be aware whenever they enclose private data or download exterior products for the best security protection.
