Youre probably used to getting plenty of junk mail delivered to your physical mailbox.
Fliers you dont want, coupons you dont need, and endless catalogs show up on a daily basis.
Online spam is any unwanted or malicious communication that takes place on the Internet.
Fake social media accounts that send you links to adult websites?
Comments on blogs that link to strange websites?
Yep those are spam.
Heres our guide to identifying the different kinds of spam and how you might see less of it online.
Not even Gchat users are completely safe from messaging spam.
Phishing Spam
Phishingspam deserves its own mention because of its massive consequences.
From there, they can use that information to steal your identity.
Whats The Difference Between Spam and Advertising?
The line between spam messages that promote products and legitimate advertising has become extremely blurry.
Is that email from Amazon spam, or an ad?
Is a pop-up ad spam?
In a sense, the term is subjective.
If you dont want to see it, its spam to you!
However, there are a few key points to keep in mind that differentiate the two:
Solicited vs. You voluntarily handed over your information and likely agreed to their terms spelled out in the fine print.
Thats not spam, thats email marketing.
A key differentiator between legitimate advertising and spam is whether you’ve got the option to opt out.
You likely wont get that option from more malicious senders.
Get free cash now!
Spend the night with beautiful singles in your area!
This supplement cures cancer!
Is Spam Illegal?
Online advertising, even aggressive forms of it, are not illegal.
Though they certainly can be annoying!
3 Tips for Preventing Spam
Its really hard to completely avoid seeing any spam online.
Its illegal, but they do it anyway thats what makes them criminals!
Keep yours hidden whenever possible.
Dont post it publicly unless its absolutely necessary.
Thebest antiviruseson the market will include protection from phishing, ransomware, and other extremely malicious attacks.
Delete it and report it as spam to your email provider, if possible.
Online spam is relentlessly annoying, at best, and extremely dangerous at worst.
Dont engage with it, dont punch it, dont even look at it!
Without eyeballs and attention, professional spammers have no incentive to continue their aggravating work.
