How to protect yourself from nasty spam traps and email fraud!

How to protect yourself from nasty spam traps and email fraud!

In today's digital world, emails are an integral part of everyday life. They are not only used for communication, but also for advertising and information. However, there is a crucial difference between newsletters and spam emails. While newsletters are subscribed to by users, spam messages are undesirable and prohibited by law in Germany. These abusive emails may contain advertisements, phishing scams or even viruses, making them a serious threat. [Krone] reports that sending such emails can be legally prosecuted.

In order to make your email communication more secure, the current recommendations contain various tips. If a user wants to unsubscribe from a newsletter, all they usually need to do is click on an unsubscribe link, which is located either at the top or bottom of the email. Sometimes additional confirmation may be required. In contrast, experts advise against following links in spam emails as this could confirm the email address as active. Instead, it is advisable to delete spam messages unread and block senders in order to receive fewer unwanted emails in the future [Consumer Protection] and [BSI] pass on these recommendations.

Myths about email security

Many users believe common myths surrounding email security. A common misconception is that you're not risking anything by just looking at an email. However, just viewing an HTML-formatted email can execute malicious code. To protect yourself, experts recommend disabling the display of emails in HTML format and first checking the sender. Another myth is that you can unsubscribe from spam emails simply by clicking on a link. This is dangerous as such links often lead to malicious websites [BSI] emphasizes the importance of caution in such cases.

The sender address of emails can also be fake, so users should always look closely. It is also a common misconception that phishing emails are easy to spot. In reality, these emails can be very professional and attempt to obtain personal information. Users should therefore not open links from suspicious emails and always question the sender address. Even activated 2-factor authentication does not protect against phishing attacks, as cybercriminals can also gain access to these codes [BSI].

Awareness of these dangers is essential in order to act safely on the Internet. It is not enough to simply take technical precautions; users themselves also need to be vigilant and inform themselves about current security risks. By following the tips mentioned and avoiding common myths, users can significantly increase their email security. This is not only an individual responsibility, but also a contribution to protecting the entire digital community.

Further information on email security and dealing with spam can be found on the [Krone], [Consumer Protection] and [BSI] websites.