Random Types of Spam E-mails (10 items)

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  (#6) Commercial Advertisements

  Technically, any unsolicited bulk messages sent indiscriminately are considered spam. This includes when legit websites and companies that you use send out advertisements, newsletters and other junk messages. Most websites these days ask you if you'd like to be included in their communications however some will automatically add you to their mailing list simply for signing up for their site.

  Tip: Take a minute to create a free secondary email address for use casually around the web. Use this email address when signing up for non-essential websites so the potential for spam doesn't end up in your primary email inbox.
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  (#5) Trojan Horse Email

  Considered ancient in the email spam history books, email worms are nasty little buggers which not only infect the victim computer but also sends itself to everyone in the victim's contact list. The most famous email worm was the ILOVEYOU bug which debuted in 2000. It was highly successful as who won't open an email from a loved one titled "I love you" Once opened and downloaded, the script attached would damage the local computer and send itself out to everyone the victim knows.

  Tip: If you receive an email with an attachment from someone who usually doesn't send such things, before opening or downloading anything, take a moment to disconnect and call or text them to confirm it's a legit attachment.
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  (#7) Anti-Virus Spam

  No one wants a virus so when victims receive emails saying that their computer is infected, some will believe the claim out of fear. Victims think they're downloading security software but they are actually infecting their computers with nasty viruses. To get rid of the virus, the software demands cash to magically clean up the virus it just installed.

  Tip: Acquire and use a comprehensive anti-virus system from a trusted company. Many great free and paid versions are available for all operating systems. Having your computer covered means there's no reason to ever download any other random system that appears in your email, real or fake.
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  (#4) Email Spoofing

  More of a technique used to make other email spam tactics seem more believable, many spammers will send messages which appear to originate from a different email address than they actually do. This spoofing technique makes it appear as though a fraudulent email actually came from a trusted source, company or organization. This builds the trust of the victim, making them more likely to take part in whichever scam is included in the message.

  Tip: When in doubt, ask that person or company directly, offline, if they sent the message before handing over any personal information or money.
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  (#3) Nigerian 419 Scams

  If you have an email account, more than likely you've received a seemingly amazing offer out of the blue by some stranger from a faraway land. Someone claiming to be the agent for a long lost relative, a lottery service, an employer or even someone looking for love will offer a large sum of money, only asking for a small percentage in return for their time, insurance, shipping or other seemingly legit reason. The scammer then sends a fake check and asks for money to be wired back. Victims never receive the large sum from the check and are out the small fee, usually a few hundred or thousand dollars.

  Tip: Plain and simple, if it appears too good to be true, most likely it is.
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  (#10) Porn Spam

  Pornography is a huge business around the globe, used by a large percentage of the population and a leading source of malicious content. Porn spammers harvest or purchase email addresses of people, send out raunchy advertisements, and even threaten to blackmail recipients.

  Tip: Just as you'd research any other product or service before using it, do a bit of investigating before visiting, joining or subscribing to adult sites. Many are clean (in terms of malware) and some even free, while others not so much.

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