Unsolicited emails promising prizes, texts about a great new supplement, robocalls offering "limited-time deals" – the flood of spam clutters our inboxes, wastes our time, and exposes us to scams and phishing. 

Most spam isn't dangerous, just annoying. Learning how to recognize spam and knowing when it crosses into phishing or scamming will help you stay safer online and help you keep your email inbox a little cleaner.

What is spam?

Spam is any unsolicited, unwanted digital message sent in bulk. Think of it as digital junk mail. While email is the most familiar example, spam can also arrive through:

• Text messages

• Phone calls

• Social media direct messages

• Messaging apps like WhatsApp

• Online comments and forums

A lot of spam is simply advertising you didn't ask for, but other messages are designed to trick you into sharing personal information, downloading malware, or sending money.

Why do people send spam? 

Unethical marketers and cybercriminals send spam to: 

• Advertise products or services. Some companies send unsolicited promotions hoping a small percentage of recipients will respond. Often, the products are fake or of dubious quality, even if the spammer is more of a snake-oil salesperson than a hacker.  

• Steal personal information. Criminals may impersonate banks, delivery companies, or government agencies to collect passwords or financial information. 

• Distribute malware. Spam emails may include malicious attachments or links that install harmful software. 

• Verify active accounts. Simply responding to spam can confirm that your email address or phone number is active, leading to even more unwanted messages. 

Sending millions of messages costs very little, so scammers only need a handful of victims to make their campaigns profitable. 

Spam vs. phishing: What's the difference? 

People often use the terms interchangeably, but they aren't the same. Some spam is phishing, but not all. Spam refers to any unsolicited bulk message. It may be annoying but not necessarily malicious. 

Phishing is a type of spam that attempts to steal sensitive information or convince you to take harmful actions. For example, a phishing email might claim your bank account has been locked and urge you to click a fake login page.

Why spam is more than just an annoyance 

Spam doesn't just clutter your inbox. It is changing how people communicate. According to a survey by NCA partner Cloaked, Americans receive an average of about four spam calls and texts every day. Those interruptions add up to roughly 27 hours each year (that's over three workdays!) spent dismissing spam and getting back on task. 

The survey also found that:

• Two-thirds of Americans have missed an important legitimate call because they assumed it was spam. 

• Nearly everyone (88%) assumes unknown callers are spam or scams. 

• More than one-third report feeling anxious about answering their phones because of spam. 

So spam doesn't just waste our time, it has eroded our trust in legitimate communication. 

Recognizing spam

While spam varies and changes every day, many messages share common warning signs:

• Unexpected messages from unknown senders

• Urgent requests to act immediately

• Promises of prizes or free gifts

• Requests for passwords or financial information

• Poor spelling or awkward grammar – although this is less true with today's AI

• Suspicious links or unexpected attachments

If something feels off, trust your instincts. Take a pause and really think about any unexpected inbound messages, especially if they urge quick action or make you feel something. Verify through an official website or phone number instead of responding to a suspicious message.

How to reduce spam

We will probably never eliminate spam entirely, but you can significantly reduce it.

Use built-in spam filters

Most email providers and smartphones automatically filter suspicious messages. Keep these protections enabled. If your email doesn't have a spam filter or it seems bad at catching many spam messages, consider signing up with another email service.

Never respond

Replying even to say "stop" can confirm that your email address or phone number is active.

Report spam

Mark unwanted emails as spam and report junk texts through your messaging app or wireless carrier. Reporting helps improve spam detection for everyone.

Be careful where you share your information

The more places you share your email address or phone number, the more opportunities there are for it to be sold, leaked, or exposed in a data breach.

Keep your software updated 

Updates help protect your devices from malware that may be delivered through spam emails or malicious links. 

Think before you click 

If you receive an unexpected message asking you to click a link, download a file, or share personal information (like a bank account number or password), always pause and verify it's legitimate before taking action. You can always contact the service or platform through its official website or phone number, not by any contact info in the suspicious email.  

Stay skeptical without missing what matters 

Spam isn't probably going away anytime soon but understanding how it works can reduce your chances of becoming a victim of a scam. While it's smart to be cautious, remember that legitimate organizations, including healthcare providers, schools, employers, and financial institutions, may also contact you by phone or email. When you're unsure, don't rely on the information provided in the message itself. Instead, visit the organization's official website or use a trusted phone number (not one that is only in a suspicious message) to confirm the communication is genuine. 

A little caution goes a long way toward keeping your information and your peace of mind secure. For more online safety tips, sign up for our free email newsletter!

FAQs about spam

What is the difference between spam and phishing?

Spam is any unsolicited message, while phishing is a type of spam designed to steal personal information or trick you into taking harmful actions, such as clicking a malicious link or sharing passwords.

Can opening a spam email infect my device with a virus?

Usually, simply opening a spam email is not enough to infect your device. However, clicking suspicious links, downloading attachments, or enabling macros can install malware or lead to phishing attacks. Just block and delete.

Why am I getting so much spam?

Your email address or phone number may have been shared with businesses, exposed in a data breach, or collected by spammers. Once your contact information is widely available, it may be sold or reused by multiple senders. Ensure your email spam filter is working.

How can I stop spam messages?

While you can't eliminate spam completely, you can reduce it by using spam filters, reporting unwanted messages, never responding to suspicious senders, keeping your software updated, and being cautious about where you share your contact information.