When you sit down to open your reception box, you will probably have noticed a few strange messages. Perhaps some promise you a “free iPhone”, others warn you to “click here to win a price”, and some seem to come from your bank – but something does not seem correct.
These emails are divided into two categories: spam and phishing. Although they may seem similar at first glance, there is a big difference between them and understand that the difference is crucial to protect you online.
In this blog article, we decompose what spam and phishing are, how they differ, how to spot them and, above all, how to stay safe.
Do you prefer to look instead of reading? Here is a quick video guide
What is spam?
Spam is unwanted messages, generally to mass curvature. This is the online version of Junk Mail.
Key characteristics of spam:
- Sent by post to many people simultaneously
- Tends to contain advertisements or promotions
- Generally harmless, but boring
- Tends to land in the “spam” or “unwanted” box of your mailbox
Spam types:
- Promotions of Miracle Weight Loss Pills
- Invitations not asked to buy a product or service
- Solicitations by unknown companies concerning transactions or coupons
Most spam is transmitted by automated bulk emails or robots trying to sell something. It is not intended to injure you, but to promote something, even if it can be unwanted.
What is phishing?
Phishing, however, is a type of cyber attack. It is intended to steal your personal data, including passwords, credit card numbers or bank information.
Key phishing characteristics:
- Intended to be mistaken
- Often seems legitimate
- Can pretend to be well -known entities such as your bank, the government or well -known companies
- Delivered with links or malicious attachments
Examples of phishing:
- A false email from your bank asking you to “check” your account by clicking on a link
- A message indicating that your PayPal account has been suspended and requesting your connection identification information
- A cock labor offer asking you to provide sensitive information on a form
Phishing is harmful because it can cause identity theft, loss of money or illegal access to your accounts.
Key differences between spam and phishing
- Objective: market or promote products / services
- Intention: generally harmless, but simply boring
- Contents: Frivivalrous advertisements, deceptive offers, click bait
- Target: sent in bulk to random individuals
- Risk level: the least
- Typical attachments: absent
- Objective: steal sensitive data or install malware
- Intending: malicious and dangerous
- Contents: misleading connections, urgent security notifications, imitations
- Target: an often more targeted (even personalized)
- Risk level: highest risk
- Typical attachments: frequent (often malicious)
How to recognize spam emails
Although spam emails are generally harmless, it is always wise to avoid them. Here are any indications that you manage spam:
- Too beautiful to be true: “You have won $ 1 million!” E-mails are pure spam.
- Unknown sender: If you don't know who it is, be careful.
- Strange formatting: strange fonts, broken images or bad grammar.
- Pushed language: “Act now!” Or “Don't miss it!”
If it looks like junk food, this is probably the case.
How to locate phishing emails
- Emergency or fear: they instill fear: “Your account will be locked unless you act now.”
- Impinitiation: they pretend to be someone you can trust: “It's your bank, please check your information.”
- Suspect links: They will try to click you on deception websites: the link can appear as “www.bank.com” but lead you to a different website such as “www.bank-login-lert.xyz”.
- Attachments: Never open foreigners accessories. They can have malicious software.
- E-mail address: the sender's e-mail address may seem legitimate but will be slightly different:
[email protected] rather than [email protected]
Why this counts: a real impact
Spam is more frustrating than harmful, it can fill your reception box, waste your time and sometimes lead you to click on announcements or to give information accidentally.
Phishing can train:
- Banking fraud
- Identity flight
- Office data violation
- Theft of confidential or personal data
The global cost of phishing attacks is billions of dollars each year.
How to protect yourself from spam and phishing
- Use a spam filter: new messaging services (such as Gmail or Outlook) have spam filters based on AI that automatically direct suspect emails to your spam file.
- Turn on two -factor authentication (2FA): Even if someone makes your password, 2FA can prevent them from accessing your accounts.
- Never click on suspicious links: if it does not seem fair, go directly to the official website rather than click on the links in the email.
- Use antivirus and anti-Malware software: they can detect and prevent attorney or malicious URLs.
- Stay informed: information is your defense key. The more you know about phishing methods, the more you can escape them.
What if you hang on by a phishing scam
- Immediately change your passwords for all affected accounts.
- Light 2fa if you haven't already done so.
- Inform your bank or your financial institutions if sensitive information was accessible.
- Run a virus scan on your computer.
- Report the phishing attempt to your messaging provider and your cybersecurity agency.
Conclusion
Although spam and phishing take the form of unwanted emails, their intentions and dangers are entirely different. Spam sells more, while phishing flies.
By learning to recognize and avoid these threats, you make an important step to protect your digital life. Always stay vigilant, check before clicking and educate others – because online security is a shared responsibility.
