{"id":352677,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/online-scams\/stopping-internet-spam.html"},"modified":"2024-05-04T11:13:33","modified_gmt":"2024-05-04T16:13:33","slug":"stopping-internet-spam","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/online-scams\/stopping-internet-spam.html","title":{"rendered":"Stopping Spam Emails: Protect Yourself from Online Phishing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Stopping Spam Emails: Protect Yourself from Online Phishing<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Hannah Hilst<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

No matter how much the internet evolves, spam has always been an issue for users. Despite efforts to filter, limit, and block spam online, it continues to annoy consumers.<\/p>\r\n

But the danger of spam can extend beyond just irritating you. It can bury the important messages you need to see. It can even trick you into falling for a scam.<\/p>\r\n

On a broader scale, spam can clog up the entire internet system. Email services and internet service providers (ISPs) incur many expenses to fight spam and fraud.<\/p>\r\n

This article will describe how spam can threaten your privacy and security online<\/a>. You’ll also find out what steps you can take to reduce spam in your inbox.<\/p>\r\n

What Is Internet Spam?<\/h2>\r\n

Spam can take many forms, but the term encapsulates unsolicited, unwanted messages.<\/p>\r\n

You’ll likely see spam via email, especially since email addresses are easily sold or exposed in data breaches. Social media and text messages can also be spam.<\/p>\r\n

Spam Emails<\/h3>\r\n

Email spam is unsolicited commercial email (UCE). Messages advertising a product or service that you didn’t ask to receive are junk email.<\/p>\r\n

People often use the term spam to describe any advertisements online. But not all unwanted emails are spam. Spam is something you never asked to receive.<\/p>\r\n

When you sign up for their services, companies often ask for your email address. Once you give your email address, you’ve agreed to get emails. For example, receiving a bulk email from Banana Republic advertising its new fall line isn’t spam if you’ve opted into its email program.<\/p>\r\n

Scam Emails<\/h3>\r\n

Not all spam messages are scams, but unsolicited emails pose a higher risk. Because of digital advertising laws<\/a>, legitimate businesses must follow the rules to avoid spamming customers. Scammers ignore those rules.<\/p>\r\n

Below are examples of typical spam messages that indicate scams<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n