Do you feel like your inbox has become a playground for spammers? You're not alone. Every day, millions of unwanted emails circulate on the web. But where do they come from? And more importantly, how can you avoid them? We explain everything.
How your email address falls into the wrong hands
Sometimes it doesn't take much:
- An online purchase,
- A form filled out,
- An address displayed on your website,
- Or even a registration with a directory or search engine.
These seemingly harmless actions can expose your address to automated collectors or databases that are sold for commercial or malicious purposes.
Spam: a real risk for your business
Spam isn't just annoying. It's also a vehicle for cyberattacks:
- Phishing: hackers seek to steal your data or impersonate you.
- Malware: malicious software can be installed without your knowledge.
- Ransomware: your data is held hostage for a ransom.
- DDoS: your system can be paralysed by traffic overload.
What about voice spam?
Those suspicious calls or text messages asking you to call back an unknown number? They're also spam. And sometimes they pretend to be:
- Well-known brands,
- Recruiters,
- Public services,
- Or even your mobile operator.
10 tips for saying goodbye to spam
- Only click on an unsubscribe link if you are sure of the sender.
- Do not give out your email address too easily.
- Create filters in your email account.
- Use separate addresses for professional and personal use.
- Never reply to a suspicious message or call.
- Delete unused online accounts.
- Use the Bcc field to protect your recipients' addresses.
- Never open suspicious attachments.
- Create a dedicated address for registrations and competitions.
- Report abuse on signal-spam.fr
Tools to help you
- In Luxembourg, you can count on:
- SPAMBEE (spambee.lu) : to easily report spam.
- CNPD: for data protection issues.
- ILR: for electronic communications.
In summary: stay vigilant
Spammers are becoming increasingly cunning. Even the best filters are not always enough. The key? Vigilance, prevention... and a little digital common sense.
