Emails have become the standard form of communication these days. Since it is a public form of contact, it has certain disadvantages, with the most crucial being Spam Mail. What is a Spam Mail? Often considered as a form of electronic junk email or scrap newsgroup postings, these are considered as forms of unwanted emails. It is essential to understand that not all unsolicited email can be considered as Spam. For example, if you happen to receive an email from a long lost uncle it is not considered a Spam. Whereas an email can be suspicious only if it is for some unwanted product promotion like ‘Viagra’ or unwanted newsletters from sites you have never signed up for. With email abuse taking a toll, Spam has a tendency to consume a lot of bandwidth.
Identifying spam
It is extremely simple to identify Spam mail. A Spam mail can be defined as an email sent out in bulk from an unknown user for a product or service you have never signed up for. The rationale behind such a nasty form email thriving, is that there are people unlike you who actually believe in these products and services offered. Another reason why Spam works is because it is extremely cheap to send it out in bulk to people. Likewise, the risk of getting caught is significant and involves a heavy fine.
At times it gets quite risky, for organizations dealing in dubious activities tend to trick people into revealing credit card details and then in the long run swapping all the money. Sometimes even viruses are mail via these spam mails which corrupt the entire system.
Type of spams that may effect
There are two main types of Spam, which have a different effect on users of the internet. Cancellable Usenet Spam is an email containing message that can be sent out to ‘20 or more Usenet newsgroups’. This form of Spam tends to rob the user of the usefulness of a particular newsgroup by bombarding with an array of advertisements and nuisance posts.
On the other hand Email Spam tends to target individual users with direct mail postings. The list is created after carefully scanning ‘Usenet postings, stealing Internet mailing lists, or searching the Web for addresses.’ This kind of Spam cost users a lot of money for it reduces bandwidth speed and cost additional for ISPs and online services required to transmit these Spam emails.
Here are six tips to avoid/reduce Spam emails-
Never put your email id on any website
A recent study showed that email addresses available on public forums tend to attract more Spammers to mail, than otherwise. If you are running your personalised website that requires your customers and other associates to contact you, try the following:
- Come up with a query form where the customers can post their questions and you still get to view it and revert back.
- Come up with multiple email ids for your website communications. These email ids may be bombarded with Spam, but it will not be able to infringe upon your personal email.
- If you happen to be a frequent visitor of various sites that require your email id, never disclose your personal email id. Create a separate id dedicated to such subscriptions only.
Avoid clicking on the ‘unsubscribe’ option
Upon receipt of junk mails, most of the times we tend to click on the ‘unsubscribe’ option. This is the biggest mistake you can commit. By clicking on the ‘unsubscribe’ option you actually confirm to the Spammers that you have received the email. In the meanwhile your email id gets registered in the Spam mail box. At times despite of clicking the ‘unsubscribe option you still receive emails. This is because the option is invalid, as you have become a valid recipient of such emails.
Never opt for a preview option
If there is a preview option, never go for it. Rather it is better to turn it off. If you click the preview option, it actually tips the Spammer that your email id is valid and you will continue to receive such mails. Also there is a high chance of having a virus attack.
Email configuration
Configure your email address such that it is able to segregate emails which are assumed to be Spam in nature.
Purchase software if needed
Depending upon the size of your business, there are software available in the market that help in segregating Spam from your email.
Consider changing your email id
If you are receiving too many Spams, consider changing your email id.
To conclude, there will always be people all set to bring you down through Spams, your job is meander through the mess by using the above mentioned precautions. Spammers are also humans, so there is always a loop hole that can help you untie the web of Spams.
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