World of spam

If you are active online, you have almost certainly received spam. Similar to junk mail, spam is any unsolicited communication sent in bulk but rather than being sent in the post, it is sent via the internet. Recently I have been dealing with a lot of spam posted to a social media group I manage. This has ranged from the annoying and irrelevant (people trying to sell products unrelated to the aims of the group), to the inappropriate and distressing (pornography and animal torture), so for this blog post, I am delving into the world of spam to learn what it is, how to recognise it and how to prevent it.

Image by Montri on Adobe Stock.

Why is spam called spam

The origin of the term spam for invasive bulk messaging refers to a Monty Python sketch in which a group of Viking diners repeatedly proclaim that everyone must eat spam whether they want it or not.

When spelled with a capital ‘S’ spam refers to the canned pork product that the Vikings in the sketch love so much. Spelled with a lower case ‘s’, spam means the unsolicited, disruptive emails and other messages that flood your inbox or social media pages. Spamming is the act of sending spam messages and any person who sends spam is a spammer.

Types of spam

Generally spam is harmless but sometimes it can be fraudulent or malicious. Below are the different types of spam you need to watch out for.

Spam emails

Spam emails are the most common type of spam you are likely to encounter. Most email providers allow you to report, filter and block spam emails but you also need to remember to check your spam/junk folder regularly for emails that have been filtered in error.

SEO (spamdexing)

SEO spam refers to the manipulation of search engine optimisation (SEO) methods to improve the rankings of a spammer’s website in search engines. It can be divided into two broad categories.

Content spam
This is where spammers cram their web pages full of popular keywords so when people search for those keywords, the web pages rank higher. Others will use existing content without permission to make their own pages seem more substantial and unique.
Link spam
This is where a spammer uses backlinking to drive traffic to their web page. If you have come across a comment on a blog or forum that is filled with irrelevant links, you have encountered link spam.

Social media spam

If you visit a social media page and see posts that look inappropriate or out of place chances are it is spam. Most social media spam contains links to commercial pages with the aim of increasing traffic or revenue for a spammer’s website.

Spam text messages and spam calls

Some spammers send text messages (SMS) or may even telephone or instant message you via apps such as WhatsApp, Skype and Snapchat to get your attention. It is best to block spam texts and calls from suspected spammers and not answer strange texts or calls from unknown callers (you can always use websites such as Who Called Me to ascertain if the caller is legitimate.) You may also find your telephone provider will alert you on your phone display if a caller is a suspected nuisance or spam call.

Tech support scams

Tech support scams usually begin with a phone call from someone pretending to be an IT professional. Tech support scammers will try to convince you there is something wrong with your computer and that if you give them remote access they can fix it.

Current events scams

Spammers may exploit headlines to capitalise on tragedies or political events, for instance you might receive spam asking you to contribute to a fundraising campaign that isn’t legitimate.

Malware spam (malspam)

Malware spam is spam that includes malware (software that is specifically designed to disrupt, damage or gain unauthorised access to a computer system.) It is usually delivered to your computer or mobile device via a text message or email. This type of spam can deliver almost any type of malware, from ransomware (a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid), to trojans (malware that can harm a device by disguising itself as a legitimate programme or file), to spyware (software that enables a user to obtain information about someone’s computer activities by transmitting data from their hard drive.)

Genres of spam

Most spam fits into one of a handful of genres.

Miracle cures
Weight loss shortcuts, dietary supplement and performance enhancers.
Dating and adult content
Online dating propositions, matchmaking agencies and adult websites.
Offers for tech goods or services
Spam that tries to take advantage of people who are not technically savvy.
Service enrolment
Spam that wants you to enrol for a service such as an educational programme.
Financial awards and services
Low interest loans, debt assistance and cash prizes.

Spammers that send fraudulent emails and messages often use long email addresses composed of random letters and numbers. This is intentional, because it helps hide the spammer’s identity. And spam emails often contain typing errors, spelling and grammatical mistakes but you need to remember that many legitimate companies send emails and messages that may feel spammy too, even though their commercial aims are legitimate. If you are unsure whether a particular email or message is real or dangerous, it is best to not interact with it.

Spamming versus phishing

The difference between spamming and phishing lies in its intent. Spammers are a nuisance but generally they do not want to hurt you, rather they have something to sell and have decided spamming is an effective way to do this. Phishing attacks on the other hand are carried out by cybercriminals who want to access your personal information or infect your device with malware and while phishing attacks that cast a wide net are a type of spam, their intent is often fraudulent.

Why am I getting spammed

Spammers send bulk emails because it is inexpensive and an easy way to conceal the identity of the sender. Even if only a handful of recipients respond to their spam campaign, the spammer will likely see a positive return. When I first started receiving spam messages I worried it was because of something I had done. Why me I asked myself? However spamming is widespread and it really is a case of learning how to manage it rather than being able to stop it altogether.

Image by Montri on Adobe Stock.

How to prevent spam

It is possible to prevent spam. Here a few ways to prevent spam emails and avoid other spam messages:

Use the spam reporting function
Most email providers enable users to report an email as spam. Reporting spam teaches your inbox to get better at detecting spam with any suspected spam emails detected and sent straight to your spam folder.
Mark emails that are not spam as ‘not spam’
If you find anything in your spam folder that does not belong there, mark it as ‘not spam’ and move it to your inbox. Again this teaches your spam filter to learn which emails to block and which to let through.
Sign up for services with an alternate email address
Lots of internet services require an email address for sign up. If it is not absolutely necessary that you do so, do not use your primary email for one time signups.
Do not interact with spam
When you receive spam emails or text messages, do not click any links as these may be infected or redirect you to fraudulent websites — if you do respond the spammer will likely send you more spam.
Do not publish your contact information
Spammers can and do find contacts online. Keep your online presence as private as possible for example using a contact form on your website rather than publishing your email address online.
Check for data leaks involving your email
Free tools are available online to see if your passwords have leaked, just search for ‘has my password leaked.’
If someone you know has sent you spam tell them
If you have received a spam message from a trusted contact, tell them their account has been hacked and is being used for spamming.
Stay up to date and use security software
Keep your devices, software and apps updated to protect yourself from spammers. Use antivirus software, strong passwords for all your accounts and two factor authentication (a security method that requires two forms of identification to access resources and data) when signing in to secure portals.

Spam may seem like it goes hand in hand with our online experience but by learning how to recognise and manage it, we can all help prevent it.

Image by Montri on Adobe Stock.

Humblebee

World of spam

Why is spam called spam