You may have heard the terms spam and phishing before, and many of you might have used the terms interchangeably, but there are actually some significant differences between the two.
Spam is unsolicited commercial email, while phishing is a type of scam where you are tricked into giving away your personal information.
So what are the major differences between spam and phishing, and how to protect yourself from these scams?
What Is Spam?
Spam is a type of email that is sent by unverified sources to large numbers of recipients. It includes malicious messages, commercial advertising, jokes, and chain letters. Spammers send out hundreds or thousands of emails in hopes that at least some people will be interested in the offers they present.
For example, you might receive emails from companies that offer special deals, discounts, and promotions. While these offers might be appealing, it’s important to remember that they could also be a scam.
Spammers use tactics like sending out fake messages from legitimate companies, using forged email addresses, and even hijacking legitimate email accounts to send out spam messages.
How to Spot a Spam Email
Spam emails are usually easy to identify if you pay attention to certain details. Here are a few tips that can help you spot a spam email:
- The subject line is vague or unrelated to the content of the email
- There is excessive use of hyperlinks and images
- The sender’s name is not familiar, or it looks suspicious
- …
