Spam protection

Along with your wanted email, you may have an inbox full of junk mail with more coming in all the time. But e-mail spam isn’t only a nuisance – it can also be dangerous.

Installing adequate Internet Security software will offer the best protection by installing a spam filter to help protect your computer and your privacy.

But it’s also important that you understand the dangers of spam and how to protect yourself from it.

What is e-mail spam?

Spam is a bulk email message sent to users who have not requested the email.

Spammers often get their bulk e-mail into users inboxes in questionable ways. Often they come from another country, hide their identity, or even use an innocent person's e-mail address to make the spam e-mail appear as if it came from someone you know.

Around 70 to 80 per cent of all e-mail traffic is reportedly spam, so your inbox can quickly become inundated with junk spam unless you have some form of spam protection

The majority of spam is advertising and this junk spam often offers illegal goods and services. Spam that offers illegal products is in itself illegal.

In some cases, e-mail spam will be carrying viruses. This is when spam can be dangerous.

Protect your privacy and stop spam

There are some simple precautions and software available online which can dramatically reduce the amount of spam you get:

• Do not reply to spam
• Never buy anything from a spammer
• Do not forward spam
• Do not forward chain letters as spammers may steal e-mail addresses

It is also important to remember that you should never open an email attachment from someone you do not know or an attachment you are not expecting.

And if you receive a suspect email from someone you know that looks like spam, it may well be because their email account has been unknowingly hijacked by a spammer. Be wary of these messages.

Kaspersky’s internet security software offers spam protection by blocking fraudulent messages with anti-spam software. Try it with a free 30-day trial.