Why Do I Get So Much Disgusting Spam?

Why Do I Get So Much Disgusting Spam?

Unfortunately, spam is a fact of life online. But it doesn’t have to rule your inbox. If you receive a lot more spam than others, here are some of the reasons that your email address has become a spam magnet.

Email address exposure: If your email address has been exposed or leaked through various sources, such as online forums, social media, or data breaches, it is more likely to end up on spam mailing lists. Spammers often collect email addresses from different sources to send unsolicited messages.

Email activity: If you frequently use your email address for online registrations, sign-ups, or subscriptions, it increases the chances of your email address being captured by spammers. Some websites or services may sell or share user information with third parties, potentially leading to increased spam.

Malware or phishing attacks: If your computer or device becomes infected with malware, it can compromise your email security. Attackers may gain access to your email account and use it to send spam emails to your contacts and beyond. Use a good antivirus/anti-malware like Emsisoft.

Poor email security practices: Weak passwords, not using two-factor authentication, or failing to update your email client or operating system can make your account vulnerable to unauthorized access. Spammers may hijack your account and use it to send spam messages.

Unsubscribing from questionable emails: Sometimes, when you unsubscribe from some spam emails, it doesn’t unsubscribe you – it actually confirms that your email address is active and monitored, which can make it even more valuable to spammers.

Random targeting: Spam emails are often sent randomly to a large number of email addresses, hoping that some will be valid and receptive to their messages. If you have a common email address format (e.g., john.smith@example.com), spammers may target addresses similar to yours, resulting in more spam for you. Don’t use your name in your email address especially if it’s a common name.

And there are other reasons too, perhaps you can add some to this list.

To minimize spam, consider some of the following measures:

• Be cautious about sharing your email address online.
• Never post your email address on social media or forums.
• Use strong and unique passwords for your email accounts.
• Enable two-factor authentication for added security when available.
• Regularly update your email client and operating system.
• Use a disposable email address when subscribing to newsletters and services you’re not familiar with.
• Be selective about subscribing to newsletters or online services.
• Never click suspicious links or download attachments from unknown sources.
• Educate yourself and keep updated about phishing scams so you don’t become a victim. 

Limiting your email address’s exposure online can greatly reduce the amount of spam you receive. If you’re receiving a barrage of spam every day, it may be time for the nuclear option and start over by getting a new email address. When deciding to get a new email address, remember you’ll need to notify those in your address book as well as the newsletters and the online services you trust and want to keep in contact with. Don’t delete your old email address until you’re sure everyone who should have your new email address has it.

We have found Gmail to be particularly good at filtering spam emails from good emails. But if your email address has already been exposed online or is included on spam lists of verified email addresses that are sold online, even Gmail might not be able to keep up and keep your inbox relatively free of spam.