All posts about Spam | mail.com blog

Received an email from the IRS? Read this before you click

Tax season already comes with enough stress. So, when an email shows up claiming to be from the IRS, talking about refunds, unpaid taxes, or “urgent action required,” it’s hard not to pause for a second. Even if you’re usually careful, that little spark of doubt is enough to make you hover over the link.

Keyboard with fishing hook symbolizing phishing

Posted in

Cybersecurity Phishing Spam

2 people found this article helpful.

Mastering your spam folder: Tips for marking, moving & managing spam

When an email goes missing, the first question is usually “Did you check your spam folder?” So, what is a spam folder exactly, and how did that message end up there?

Hand pointing at floating red and blue email icons

Posted in

Spam Inbox How-to

34 people found this article helpful.

Malware types: Do you know the true meaning of malware?

Feeling cybersecure? Ever stared at the computer screen hoping a malware attack was just some horrible practical joke? If you are like the rest of us and have experienced this moment, then don’t worry we’ve got your back.

A hand typing on the keyboard of a laptop with a malware warning on the screen

Posted in

Security Spam Phishing

2,417 people found this article helpful.

Black Friday turns into spam week: 10% spike in phishing emails

As online shoppers gear up for Black Friday bargains, email provider mail.com highlights an often-overlooked downside of the season: a 10% rise in spam and phishing emails. The sharp increase during Black Friday week reflects how scammers exploit the seasonal shopping rush.

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Press release Phishing Spam

31 people found this article helpful.

How to stop spam text messages: Prevent, block and report

We all hate spam text messages! And if it seems like you’ve been receiving more of them, it’s not just your imagination – as spam email and spam calls face increasing obstacles in the form of blocklists and government regulations, spammers have been increasingly turning to spam text messages.

Young woman with annoyed expression looks at phone while friends sit in background

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Spam Security Android iOS

286 people found this article helpful.

I know where you live: Creepy scam emails with personal details

Phishing emails are bad enough. But have you ever opened your inbox to find a threatening message claiming that hackers have access to your webcam – complete with some personal information or even a photo of your home? These frightening emails are part of a growing trend of blackmail email phishing scams and extortion online.

Young woman looks at laptop with shocked expression

Posted in

Cybersecurity Phishing Spam Security Trends

60 people found this article helpful.

What does a phishing link look like? How to check links safely

There seems to be no end to fake emails that are cleverly designed to look like real messages from legitimate companies. As these phishing scams grow more convincing, how can you tell the fakes from the real thing? One line of defense: Learning how to spot a phishing link.

Hand holding smartphone next to laptop keyboard

Posted in

Phishing Spam Security Cybersecurity

124 people found this article helpful.

Ask the expert: How to protect yourself from spam and phishing

Viviana is an expert in our Mail Security team. One of her main responsibilities is protecting our users from spam emails and phishing attacks. In this interview, she tells us why inboxes have a spam folder and why not all “bad” emails are deleted automatically. Plus, she shares some pro tips for recognizing email scams.

White laptop with screen displaying lock symbol

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Interview Security Phishing Spam

74 people found this article helpful.

Unsubscribe email scam: How to protect yourself

Aren’t spam emails the worst? Sometimes they are just an annoyance, but other times they pose a real risk by infecting your device with a virus or stealing personal data. So, if an unwanted email lands in your inbox and you see an “unsubscribe” button, why not click on it?

Man sitting on steps outdoors looking at laptop

Posted in

Cybersecurity Phishing Spam Security

295 people found this article helpful.

How to stop emails you want from going to your spam folder

Are you a freelancer who worries about missing replies from important clients? A bargain hunter who subscribes to newsletters to get the latest promotion codes? Do you have a relative who loves to forward you family updates? If these emails sometimes land in your Spam folder, here are 3 tricks you can use to keep them out.

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Spam How-to Contacts

304 people found this article helpful.

Why did my message bounce? The email header can tell you

Your email is hiding something: All the steps that show how each message got from sender to recipient. Lucky, this secret is not hard to crack – just have a look at the full header. If you need to figure out why a message bounced or report scam emails, this extended header has all the information you need. So where do you find it?

Posted in

Email Inbox Spam

205 people found this article helpful.

The “Hi Mom!” phishing scam: How to recognize and avoid it

Have you ever received a call for help or a strange text message claiming from your son or daughter? But strangely, you don't recognize the number? Be careful: the “Hi Mom” scam shows no sign of stopping in 2024.

Woman’s hands holding smartphone and texting

Posted in

Phishing Spam Security

262 people found this article helpful.

Spear phishing: Understanding email attacks

Phishing scams – where you receive fraudulent messages pretending to be from a trusted sender designed to trick you into revealing personal data – have unfortunately become widespread and the criminals behind them have refined their techniques.

Several padlocks and combination locks caught on a fishing hook

Posted in

Spam Security Phishing

320 people found this article helpful.

Black Friday: Festival for AI-generated spam and phishing

Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the weeks leading up to them are peak season for bargain hunters. Criminals are particularly active when numerous online shops are already advertising special offers.

Posted in

Press release Phishing Spam

205 people found this article helpful.

Email spam: Why do I get spam messages & how do I get rid of them?

Spam is one of the things people like least about email. Sometimes it is annoying but harmless – like bulk advertising. Much worse are the spam emails that try to trick you into scams or contain computer viruses. Luckily, today’s spam blockers keep a large share of such messages from reaching your inbox. You can also help keep yourself safe by learning to identify the most common types of spam and using your spam folder effectively.

Young businesswoman blocking flying envelopes

Posted in

Spam Phishing Security

523 people found this article helpful.

What is quishing? QR code phishing explained

Have you received a strange email asking you to scan a QR code to unlock a great deal? Beware – instead of an amazing special offer, you may be getting scammed. QR code phishing attacks, known as “quishing,” are on the rise as cybercriminals look for new ways to steal your data or infect your device with malware.

Man looks at smartphone with concerned experssion

Posted in

Phishing Cybersecurity Spam

227 people found this article helpful.

What is greylisting and how does it work?

Many of us have experienced this problem: you can’t remember your password for an online service you don’t use that often and have to click “forgot password” to get a reset link. But even though a message pops up claiming that an email was sent to you, no reset link arrives. You click again. Nothing! What just happened?

Open laptop computer with hourglass placed on keyboard

Posted in

Email Spam

178 people found this article helpful.

Blocked by Spamhaus: Bounced emails and blocked IP addresses

Your email bounces back with a permanent error: “A message that you sent could not be delivered to one or more of its recipients.” When you look at the bounce message closely, you see it’s been blocked by “Spamhaus.” What’s that all about?

Open laptop on desk with email icons on screen and floating email icons in air around it

Posted in

Spam Security

290 people found this article helpful.

What is SMTP? And how does SMTP authentication help fight spam?

Whenever you send an email, the process would not be possible without the SMTP protocol. It’s used by mail servers to relay outgoing email messages from the senders and to the recipients. Unfortunately, spammers started abusing a loophole in the protocol – until SMTP authentication put a stop to this trick.

Young businesswoman sitting at her desk and working on computer in office

Posted in

Email Security Spam

262 people found this article helpful.

Black Friday: Up to 20 percent more spam

Black Friday is high season for internet bargain hunters. Wherever a lot of money is being spent online, however, cybercriminals are often not far behind. Email provider mail.com sees an increase in spam and phishing during the bargain holidays, with fake vouchers and shipping scams topping the list of scammers’ tricks.

Posted in

Press release Phishing Spam

66 people found this article helpful.