Nowadays, spam comes in many forms. From phishing emails and ransomware, to forged identities and fraudulent claims, the techniques used by cyber criminals are constantly evolving. However, no matter the method, the results are the same; victims are tricked and information is stolen.
Though the techniques tend to differ, spam is normally directed at victim’s email accounts, with messages posing as legitimate requests and scammers impersonating credible organisations.
Fortunately, there are certain telltale signs that point out something that isn’t quite right. Here are MailCleaner’s top 5 ways to spot spam emails.
Sender Details
It sounds incredibly obvious, but one of the first things you should look out for when you receive an email is the sender’s address. It’s easy to assume that because an email arrives in the correct folder or seems familiar, that it is safe. However, many spam emails are sent from email addresses that try to appear legitimate.
Check for variations of company spelling, numbers instead of letters, and public email addresses such as ‘@gmail.com’. All of these are red flags that should alert you as to something being off.
Tone And Grammar
Another sure way to tell that an email isn’t what it claims to be, is to pay attention to the tone of the message alongside the spelling and grammar. Sure, everyone makes mistakes and typos are only human, but there are certain indicators which suggest a scam may be sent from another country or translated to many different languages.
Moreover, watch out for urgent or startling language, insisting action be taken immediately. Many scammers will use language that insists action be taken immediately, such as the resetting of passwords or transfer of details.
Don’t let this catch you out.
Too Good To Be True
One of the most obvious ways to spot a fraudulent email, is to use common sense and think ‘is this too good to be true?’. A common method of scam is to email a recipient claiming they have won a prize or are entitled to a large sum of money, all they need to do is follow the link and enter their details.
Unfortunately, this is always a scam. You’ve not won a fortune and you could end up losing a lot if you get caught out!
Suspicious Attachments
One of the most vicious kinds of cyber attack is the use of ransomware. This method involves scammers tricking a victim into downloading a file which renders their computer useless and their files and personal information at risk.
Keep an eye out for suspicious looking attachments and links. These usually have ambiguous file names and require clicking on them to find out what they contain. Don’t be fooled, contact the sender using a different means to find out if they are real.
Use Anti Spam Protection
Finally, the only way to truly prevent spam emails containing viruses and malware from entering your inbox, is to use anti-spam software such as MailCleaner. By using a trusted appliance or cloud-based spam-filter, you can eliminate 99% of spam attempts.
Whether you are a business, school or government organisation, MailCleaner is a secure and trusted spam protection service. Don’t hesitate to get in touch today to discuss plans and pricing with our helpful team.