Click a spammer's link, and you may risk downloading a virus or software that could be used to track your Web activity. And spam isn't limited to e-mail—it has spilled over to instant messages (IM) as well, where it has become enough of a problem for instant messaging spam to warrant its own word, spim.
What is spam?
Spam in this context is unsolicited commercial e-mail (as opposed to solicited commercial e-mail; often, when you sign up on a Web site or buy something online, you agree to receive commercial e-mail).
There’s non-commercial spam, too. While it might be appealing to forward that funny chain e-mail message to all your friends, resist the temptation to become a small-scale spammer. Not only do you lose control over who sees your e-mail address (it could fall into the hands of a commercial spammer), but you also may be furthering a hoax or aiding in the delivery of a virus.
What do I do when I get spam?
Many Internet service providers (ISPs) and e-mail programs provide junk e-mail filters that can serve as the first line of defense against spam. Here are some more things that you can do to protect yourself:
- Delete junk e-mail messages without opening them. Sometimes just opening a spam message can alert the spammer that your e-mail address is a valid one.Don't reply to spam unless you're certain that the message comes from a legitimate source. This includes not responding to such messages that offer an option to “remove me from your list.”
- Don't give personal information in an e-mail or instant message. Most companies won't ask for personal information by e-mail. If a company you trust, such as your credit card company or bank, appears to ask for personal information, call the company using a number you retrieve yourself from another source, such as the back of your credit card, a bill, or the phone book. Do not use a number from the e-mail message.
- Think twice before opening attachments or clicking links in e-mail or instant messages, even if you know the sender. If you cannot confirm with the sender that an attachment or link is safe, delete the message.
- Don't buy anything or give to any charity promoted through spam. Spammers often swap or sell the e-mail addresses of those who have bought from them, so buying something through spam may result in even more spam. If you receive an e-mail request from a charity you'd like to support, avoid donation scams by calling the organization directly to find out how to contribute.
- Don't forward chain e-mail messages. Not only do you lose control over who sees your e-mail address, but you may also end up furthering a hoax or spreading a virus.
- Report abusive, harassing, or threatening e-mail messages to your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
- Report phishing scams and other fraudulent e-mail to the company that has been misrepresented. Contact the organization directly and not through the e-mail you received.