An interesting article I read today titled ‘Millions continue to click on spam‘ provides some good insight into why we continue to get so much spam. This article is well worth the brief read, but here are some points of interest:
Even though over 80% of email users are aware of the existence of bots, tens of millions respond to spam in ways that could leave them vulnerable to a malware infection, according to a Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group (MAAWG) survey.
[...]
Less than half of the consumers surveyed saw themselves as the entity who should be most responsible for stopping the spread of viruses. Yet, only 36% of consumers believe they might get a virus and 46% of those who opened spam did so intentionally.
[...]
Almost half of those who opened spam did so intentionally. Many wanted to unsubscribe or complain to the sender (25%), to see what would happen (18%) or were interested in the product (15%).
[...]
Consumers are most likely to hold their Internet or email service provider most responsible for stopping viruses and malware.
Simply put: spam is effective and as long as it continues to be, there will be no end in sight. Most users in this survey feel avoiding/ignoring spam this is not their responsibility, but in reality this attitude is simply perpetuating the problem.
I have repeatedly said education is the best form of security. Be it virus or spam prevention, knowing the basics of what to avoid is key to stopping it.
Like what you read?
If so, please join over 28,000 people who receive our exclusive weekly newsletter and computer tips, and get FREE COPIES of 5 eBooks we created, as our gift to you for subscribing. Just enter your name and email below:
Spam usually goes to Junk Mail, but I still open it enough to get address to block. I only get to block 500, so the list is constantly reviewed and old blocks removed. Suggsetions welcome on how to get rid of mail and junk mail wanting to sell improved-personal-drive remedies. Thank you for letting me vent.
Don’t open it; view the source. In many cases, opening it causes info to be sent back to the spammer that yours is a valid e-mail address, so opening it results in you receiving more spam.
set your e-mail program to not support HTML by default except for the addresses you relly trust. You can then open anything you want and as long as you don’t click on links it won’t send anything back to the sender or do anything to your computer.