How can we block spam emails
Introduction
Spam emails or junk messages are irrelevant messages sent in bulk by bots or scammers to many users clogging inboxes with promotions, cam, or malicious content. Such emails not only take up your space but can also pose serious threats like financial fraud, identity theft, loss of privacy and system vulnerabilities.
How can we recognize spam emails
They usually have generic greetings for example, Dear User instead of the name or spelling & grammar mistakes, urgency, unfamiliar senders and mostly too good to be true.
‘You have won $1,000,000!’
How can we block spam emails
There can be a lot of ways to block spam emails.
Enabling Email Filter
Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook come with a built-in spam filter that automatically detects and diverts unwanted messages. Enabling these filters can reduce spam emails. These filters analyze email content, sender reputation, and other criteria to identify potential spam. Ensure the enabling of the filter for optimal performance.
Reporting spam
Do not ignore or delete the suspicious message; rather, mark it as spam using ‘Report Spam.’ Reporting spam refines the provider’s algorithms which makes the filtering more effective. Moreover, regularly visit the spam folder to ensure legitimate emails were not mistakenly filtered.
Unsubscribe from legitimate mailing lists
This is an effective way to reduce the influx of unwanted emails. Many email marketing regulations like CAN-SPAM require users to include an unsubscribe link in their emails. This link allows you to opt out of future communications with a few clicks. By using this feature, the inbox is cleaned, and the only wanted information is received.
Caution!: Spammers often disguise their messages as legitimate offers with fake unsubscribe links. Hence, clicking on these links can have opposite effects, confirming spammers that your address is active and opening a gate for more spam. Therefore, verify the sender before clicking on the unsubscribe link.
Block unwanted sender
Many email platforms provide a straightforward process to block specific email addresses. Once a sender is blocked their future messages are automatically diverted to the spam folder depending on the provider’s settings.
How to block a sender
Navigate to the options menu represented by three dots and select the Block option. Some platforms allow to blocking of multiple addresses at once. This feature is beneficial for persistent spammers. It is essential to review spam and blocked folders occasionally to ensure legitimate emails have been filtered.
Use Disposable Email Addresses
Using secondary addresses is a practical strategy to minimize spam and protect primary email accounts. You can use the secondary email address to sign up for the newsletter, register online accounts, or participate in promotions.
Temporary email services
For one-time needs, TempMail, Guerrilla Mail, or 10 Minute Mail provide anonymous and short-lived addresses that self-destruct after a set period. These services are beneficial for downloading resources, accessing free trials and verifying accounts. Choose a secondary email provider with a robust spam filter to reduce unwanted messages. Moreover, regularly monitor secondary email for important notifications but avoid it for sensitive communications.
Install anti-spam
Antispam software is a proactive measure for those managing personal email servers or using desktop clients. These tools act as an additional layer of defense beyond the built-in filters. They analyze incoming emails based on predefined rules such as suspicious keywords or unusual formatting and IPs.
Use CAPTCHA
CAPTCHA is a widely used tool to protect online forms from spam and malicious activities. You can effectively block automated bots that attempt to flood inbox with spams. Bots are programmed to exploit unsecured forms by submitting bulk messages.
