How to Reduce the Number of Spam and Phishing Emails You Get

Spam and phishing emails are a nuisance, and they can also be dangerous. Spam emails are unsolicited messages that are sent to a large number of people, often for advertising purposes. Phishing emails are fraudulent messages that are designed to trick you into providing personal information, such as your passwords or credit card numbers.

There are a number of things you can do to reduce the number of spam and phishing emails you get. Here are a few tips:

• Use a strong spam filter. Most email providers have a spam filter built in, but you may want to consider using a third-party spam filter as well. A good spam filter will help to block most spam emails from reaching your inbox.
• Be careful about what information you share online. Don’t give out your email address on websites that you don’t trust. If you do have to give out your email address, make sure to check the website’s privacy policy to see how they will use your information.
• Don’t reply to spam emails. Even if you think you’re just replying to unsubscribe from a mailing list, replying to a spam email can confirm to the sender that your email address is active. This can lead to even more spam emails being sent to you.
• Report spam emails. Most email providers have a way to report spam emails. When you report a spam email, it helps the email provider to improve its spam filtering.
• Use an email alias. If you’re worried about getting spam emails, you can use an email alias when signing up for new websites or services. This way, you can keep your main email address safe from spam.
• Be suspicious of emails that look like they’re from a legitimate company. Phishing emails are often very good at mimicking the look and feel of legitimate emails. If you get an email from a company that you do business with, but the email looks strange, don’t click on any links in the email or reply to it. Instead, go directly to the company’s website and log in to your account to see if there’s anything there that needs your attention.
• Install anti-phishing software. Anti-phishing software can help to protect you from phishing attacks. This software will scan emails for phishing content and warn you if it finds anything suspicious.

By following these tips, you can reduce the number of spam and phishing emails you get. This will help to keep your inbox clean and prevent you from becoming a victim of a scam.

See Scam and Fraud Protection for 2023 for more information and make sure to Sign Up for our Scam Prevention Newsletter.