Did you know that spam email accounts for around 14.5 billion messages every day? That’s about 45% of all emails sent worldwide! Most of us will be familiar with the feeling of logging in to check your emails and being faced with an inbox overloaded with annoying spam messages.
However, there’s a much darker side to spam emails than just the inconvenience of having to sift through them every day. Here’s how a spam email can affect your computer if opened.
Information theft
If you or an employee makes a simple click on a malicious link in a spam email, your information may be at risk. Spyware software allows third parties to gain information from your computer. Whether that’s email access, passwords or bank information, your personal details are at risk.
Deception
Phishing is whereby a scammer will pose as a legitimate company in order to gain access to your details. Whether it’s your bank account, utility supplier or online payment account, emails that look like messages from these trusted sources can fool you into supplying information.
Ransom
Ransomware can lock your computer by holding it ransom. Clicking a link or downloading a file can be just enough to allow this to happen. A ransom note might appear on the screen asking for you to pay a ransom in order for your files to be unlocked. You should not pay the ransom but instead, seek help from professionals.
How can you protect yourself?
- Delete emails– It goes without saying that spam emails should be deleted as soon as you suspect something suspicious. However, some emails can be deceiving, particularly if they are posing as a legitimate trusted company that regularly emails you.
- Check the email address – You should always check online to make sure the email address they are emailing from is a legitimate source, and not under a suspicious email address.
- Avoid clicking links – It takes just one link click on a malicious email to have your details accessed by scammers.
- Use anti-spam software – Mailcleaner eliminates up to 95% of spam and viruses from your email account. Not only can this help to protect you and your staff from receiving spam emails, but it will also eliminate the risk of information theft. Find out more today on this page.