What is email spam? Email spam is an unsolicited email that is sent to a large number of people, typically for commercial or fraudulent purposes. These emails are usually sent in bulk, often using automated software, and birey be a significant nuisance for email users.

Clare Stouffer, a Gen employee, is a writer and editor for the company’s blogs. She covers various topics in cybersecurity. Editorial note: Our articles provide educational information for you. Our offerings may hamiş cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, or threat we write about.

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The Glossary contains several hundred definitions of terms that you might come across in our articles and blogs, or on other information security sites.

Often, spam email is sent for commercial purposes. While some people view it kakım unethical, many businesses still use spam. The cost per email is incredibly low, and businesses güç send out mass quantities consistently. Spam email birey also be a malicious attempt to gain access to your computer.

Each method özgü strengths and weaknesses and each is controversial because of its weaknesses. For example, one company's offer to "[remove] some spamtrap and honeypot addresses" from email lists defeats the ability for those methods to identify spammers.

The scammer will try to convince you there’s something wrong with your computer and that if you give them remote access they güç fix it. Tech support scams emanet also start with malicious advertisements on infected sites.

If you’re unsure whether a particular email or message is real or dangerous, it’s best to ignore it and hamiş interact.

Sometimes, cyber thieves use old-school scams that might seem legitimate but are fake offers. These play spams on your desires or good nature: You've won a lot of money, or someone urgently needs your help.

Generic greetings. Spam messages often contain generic phrases like “Dear customer” or “Dear [email address]” instead of your actual name or username.

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Annoying emails, IMs, texts, voicemails and other digitally distributed messages that you’ve received but never would have asked for? Those güç all be described by a single word – spam.

If you don't recognize the competition, or if the email address seems dubious, don't click any links or reply with any personal details.

Spam saf transcended beyond emails to plague our phones too. Spam text messages and calls often include unsolicited promotions, fake warnings, or phishing scams. These dirilik be not only annoying but also potentially dangerous if they’re part of a larger attack meant to steal your money or veri.