Helpful tips to keep your email safe and secure:
What exactly is spam, and how did they get my email address?
Spam refers to unsolicited emails — also known as junk mail — that range from advertisements to inappropriate content. The person sending these unwanted emails is typically called a “spammer.”
Why did I receive the spam email?
Spammers might have obtained your email in several ways:
- – Blanket Spam: Spammers send mass emails to multiple addresses at once, hoping some will go through. Sparklight blocks these emails immediately, but spammers may still identify active addresses and pass them along to others.
- – Opt-In Spam: When you sign up for contests or request information online, your email address may be shared or sold. Be cautious with checkboxes that authorize sharing your email.
- – Web Bots: Automated programs (web bots) collect email addresses from publicly accessible websites and forums.
- – Other: Some websites quietly state in their privacy policies that they may share your information with third parties, leading to further spam.
Spamming continues because it’s profitable. Besides the nuisance, it can lead to fraudulent schemes, and your email address might end up on multiple spam lists, increasing the volume of unwanted mail.
Here are some quick tips to stay safe:
- -Don’t open attachments from unknown or suspicious senders.
- -Even if the email seems to come from a friend, confirm they actually sent the attachment. Some viruses spread by replicating themselves.
- -Avoid opening attachments if the subject line seems odd or unexpected.
- -Delete junk or chain emails and avoid forwarding or responding to them. These emails clog up inboxes and networks.
- -Never download files sent by strangers.
- -Be cautious when downloading files online — make sure they’re from a reputable and legitimate source and are virus-checked.
- -Keep your antivirus software updated regularly. Many security programs, like F-Secure, update automatically to keep you protected.
- -Regularly back up your files. In case of a virus, you’ll be able to restore your data easily. Store backups separately from your main files.
- -When unsure about an email or attachment, always err on the side of caution — avoid opening or downloading it. Regularly check for updates to your operating system, browser and email software from reputable sources, like Microsoft’s security site.
