Spam is not only annoying but can also pose a serious security risk to your devices and data. Spam is unwanted content that often clogs email inboxes—not only as unsolicited advertising but also as harmful attacks. In this article, we’ll introduce different types of spam and practical ways to protect yourself against it, from basic measures to advanced techniques that help you stay safe in the digital world.

What is spam?

Spam is unsolicited or unwanted electronic mail sent in large volumes. It can take many forms, from commercial offers to malicious content.

• Definition of spam – spam is a message sent without the recipient’s consent and typically aims to promote products, services, or other content.
• History of spam – the first spam appeared as early as 1978, when a mass email was sent on ARPANET, the predecessor of today’s internet. This led to the development of rules and tools to protect against spam.

Spam is not only bothersome but can also be dangerous. Some forms attempt to fraudulently obtain personal data or infect computers with malicious software.

What types of spam are there?

Spam can be divided into several main categories based on its content and purpose. Understanding these categories helps you better identify and protect against each type.

• Advertising spam – the most common form, consisting of unsolicited commercial offers promoting products, services, or websites. The goal is often to attract customers or increase website traffic.
• Phishing spam – this type targets the theft of personal data. Messages may appear to come from banks, services, or other trusted organizations to trick recipients into entering login credentials or other sensitive information.
• Malware spam – messages containing links or attachments with malicious software. This type can infect computers and cause problems such as data theft or device misuse.
• Comment spam – used on websites and forums to add unsolicited comments with links to other sites. The goal is to improve those sites’ SEO (search engine optimization).

How to protect yourself against spam?

There are many ways to protect yourself from unsolicited messages and their potentially dangerous consequences. Prevention and proper behavior when using email and the internet are key.

• Use anti-spam filters – most modern email services and clients offer built-in anti-spam tools that can filter unwanted messages. It’s important to enable these filters and keep them updated for maximum protection.
• Verify the sender – trusted emails often have verified domains or digital signatures. Before opening a message from an unknown sender, check the email address and verify its authenticity.
• Don’t click suspicious links or attachments – one of the simplest yet most important steps is to avoid clicking links or opening attachments in messages from unknown senders. This helps prevent malware infections and phishing attacks.
• Education and awareness – understanding the common techniques spammers use helps you recognize risks and respond correctly. Cybersecurity training and awareness can significantly improve your ability to spot spam and protect yourself.

Why do people create spam?

Motives vary, but financial gain is common. Spammers exploit email inboxes to promote illegal products, conduct phishing attacks, or distribute malware. The goal is to obtain personal data that can be used for fraud or identity theft. Some spammers aim to boost website traffic and ad revenue, while others try to gain access to corporate networks or sensitive information for espionage or data theft.

What to do if you fall victim to spam

Protection against spam keeps improving, but unwanted emails can still reach your inbox. It’s important to know how to respond properly to minimize the risk of repeat spam.

Basic steps to take

• Mark the email as spam – most email services let you mark messages as spam, which helps improve filtering systems.
• Do not reply to spam messages – replying can confirm your activity and lead to more spam.

Additional protection options

• Block the sender – if spam from a particular sender keeps recurring, block them so future messages automatically go to the spam folder.
• Report spam to your email provider – some services allow you to report spam directly to the provider, helping develop more effective filters.

For a deeper understanding of spam and effective protection methods, consult specialist literature.

• The Art of Deception (Kevin Mitnick) – although it focuses on social engineering techniques, it offers insight into methods attackers use, including spam, and how to defend against them.
• Cybersecurity and Cyberwar: What Everyone Needs to Know (P.W. Singer and Allan Friedman) – provides foundational knowledge of cyber threats, including spam, and protection methods.
• Spam: A Shadow History of the Internet (G.T. Reinhard) – a detailed look at the evolution of spam and its impact on internet culture.

Useful links:

1. https://www.malwarebytes.com/spam
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spamming
3. https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/learn/topics/security/what-is-spam.html