We get it: when a spam email makes its way into your inbox, you immediately want to delete it. After all, you don't want these messages to cause clutter and block out other important, legitimate senders. You don't want to accidentally open them, either. So, deleting seems to be the safest—and most obvious—course of action. Right?
Well, as you'll see, it's actually better not to move your spam emails to the trash bin, at least not immediately. You still want to refrain from opening these messages or clicking on any links or attachments, but there's a better way to stay safe online, and we'll help break down how.
Don't Just Delete
Instead of just deleting spam emails as soon as you get one, it's actually better to filter them. Many, if not all, major mail providers are starting to get better at distinguishing between legitimate mail and unwanted ones, but in order for it to get better at deciding where messages should be filed, it has to learn. That's where you, the user, come in.
When you immediately delete your spam, you leave little to no chance for the software to know why you're choosing to delete. Is it because it's a repeat message? Is it because you've already read the message, so you don't need it in your inbox anymore? Is it because it's from a sender you don't know?
A better way to allow the software to learn is to mark these messages explicitly. If you right-click on an email and hover over the options, you'll typically see a "Mark as spam" or "Mark as junk" button. Manually filtering the messages this way helps your mail provider understand how to classify similar spam in the future.
Don't Click "Unsubscribe"
If you no longer want to see messages from a particular sender, you also don't want to click the "unsubscribe" link embedded in the email they've sent. For one, clicking on any links in a spam email can put your safety at risk, and may expose your device to viruses.
There's another reason you shouldn't unsubscribe this way, either: it lets scammers know that your email address exists and is active. This may encourage them to double down on their attempts and attacks, which you definitely don't want.
Increases Your Awareness
Not deleting your spam right away also allows you to gain better awareness of the techniques current cybercriminals use. With advancements in technology and AI, you may find that it's getting harder and harder to tell apart real messages sent by legitimate senders from fraudulent ones. That alone should give you pause.
While you still don't want to inadvertently click on suspicious attachments or links, scanning them briefly helps you recognize how scams have evolved, and how to keep you—and your loved ones—informed and safe.
How to Stay Safe
So, how do you stay safe? Even after filtering spam emails to help your software learn, there are still some tips you should keep in mind:
- Never click on any links or open any attachments in a suspicious email;
- Understand the common tactics cybercriminals use, such as requests for personal, sensitive information or too-good-to-be-true offers; and
- Always be suspicious of any mail you get in your inbox instead of blindly trusting the senders.
If you haven't done this already, it will also help to install an anti-virus program to help keep you safe from malicious software by constantly scanning in the background and acting as a digital guardian. Remember: a little awareness goes a long way, and combining it with smart habits can make all the difference in ensuring you browse safely.
