Is it spam? Google analyzes billions of URLs every day and adds spammy ones to a list. Paste a link in here to see if it’s been flagged.
Overwhelmed with spam texts? Do this now
Ever replied to a spam message with STOP or UNSUBSCRIBE? If so, you’re setting yourself up for even more annoyance. You rightfully think that you’re ending the noise, but you’ll make it worse.
Why? Spammers are hitting up as many people as possible, searching for working contact information. When you interact, you’re saying, “Yes, this phone number belongs to someone!” That’s great news for them. It lets them know you’re a real person they should target more often.
Instead, take these steps:
- For an email: Mark as spam, then hit delete.
- For a text: Block the phone number and mark the message as spam. Then, hit the delete button.
You can also forward spam texts to 7726 (that spells “SPAM”). You’ll get back a message from your carrier asking you to reply with the phone number that sent the offending text. It only takes a minute and can help stop some spam campaigns.
If you have an iPhone:
- Find the spam message. Press down on it until a menu pops up.
- Press More. Then, tap on the arrow icon.
- Now, you’ll see a forwarded message. Tap on the To: field. Then, enter 7726 and send the message.
If you use an Android phone:
- Hold down on the spam message.
- Hit the forward arrow.
- Send the message to 7726.
Want to be a superhero?
Go beyond the call of duty, contact the FTC and file a formal complaint. While this step requires more time and effort, it’s an excellent way to fight against spammers. Consider it your good deed for the day.
Go further and get your number out of their hands for good
5 dumb tech security mistakes you’re making
You might think you have a solid cybersecurity plan. You use strong passwords and defensive measures like VPNs and firewalls. But even the strongest shield gets dented from time to time.
It’s hard to remember all the settings you’ve adjusted and the passwords you’ve made over the years. Let this be your reminder to go in and make a few quick changes to protect yourself.
The safest way to "unsubscribe"
How do you get rid of all that email spam? The trick in this podcast.
Get instant disposable email addresses
Apple and Google let you create “burner emails” to save your inbox from spam. I choose this over giving out my real email address when I’m trying to score a coupon code or a site I’m just browsing requires contact info.
Got an Apple device? The Hide My Email feature lets you generate random email addresses when you fill out an online form or sign up for a website.
- It pops up when you fill out online forms or sign up for a website.
- Emails sent to the generated address go to your iCloud account.
Using Gmail? To create an alias in Gmail, add a + (plus sign) after your address, followed by the name of the site, like first.last+target@gmail.com. If you start getting spam, delete that email address. That’s it!
🗺️ Just got an email from Google detailing how they’ve devised a way to read maps backward. Turns out it was spam.
Reader question: Is it safe to hit the ‘unsubscribe’ button on spam?
I got an email from a reader asking if hitting the “unsubscribe” button in her inbox is smart. Like many things in tech, it depends. In some cases, reacting to spammers might make your email a hot commodity, leading to more unwanted emails or even a spot on a “for sale” list.
How to make sure emails you want to see don't end up lost in spam
Have you ever felt like spam is that one friend who just can’t take a hint? You know, the one who keeps inviting you to their pyramid scheme parties? Out of nowhere, your inbox is flooded with offers of “get rich quick” pitches. Some email providers block these kinds of messages before they cause trouble.
Keep scrolling, saints: Hot Jesus is all over Facebook, flaunting a shredded six-pack and duking it out with the devil (seriously). The AI-generated pics are getting hundreds of thousands of views, with captions that dare you to like and comment to prove your faith. Once the page gets an audience, boom — spam links galore.
Is it spam? Reader Ron S. in Gilbert, Arizona, dropped me a note with a reminder about a super-helpful site if you’re worried a link is suspicious. Google analyzes billions of URLs every day and adds spammy ones to a list. Paste a link in here to see if it’s been flagged. Thanks, Ron!
Everything but your autograph: Ticketmaster was hacked, with cyber thieves snagging 500 million customer details. That includes names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, financial details and full order histories, now up for sale on a sketchy dark web forum for a cool $500,000. Get ready for a spam influx, and be extra cautious of what links you click from an email or text.
“Hi, sorry to bother. Do you shop through Amazon?” It’s a scam email, and it keeps ending up in Content Queen Allie’s inbox. If you respond, some jerk will try to convince you they have Amazon gift cards they’ll trade for cash. Hit “spam” and move on.
Cybercriminals and spies targeting routers: Hackers’ new side hustle is charging Chinese and Russian spies and scammers for access to old routers so they can launch denial-of-service (DoS) attacks or send scammy spam emails. If your device is more than three years old, it’s time to upgrade.
Phone(y) bills: If you use Verizon, watch out for phony invoice emails from “33mail.com.” They link you to a fake Office 365 sign-in page that could allow them to hack your account. Don’t click that link. If you get an email that looks “phishy” or has mismatched sender names and addresses, mark it as spam ASAP.
Massive fraud campaign: Over 8,000 domains, including big names like MSN and eBay, fell victim to a spam scheme. “SubdoMailing” sends millions of deceptive emails daily, bypassing spam filters, duping folks into clicking and then raking in ad bucks. FYI: Domain owners, use this “checker” to make sure you’re safe. Everyone else, double-check any email that asks for money or account updates.
Protect your privacy, your cell phone number and email address
Phone scams are never-ending because they work. Scam texts are increasing, too. Here are five sure signs a text is junk you need to delete.
While we’re talking scams, I’d be remiss not to mention your inbox. Tap or click for convincing spam that landed in my email with not-so-obvious red flags.
Hiding your email address is smart if you care about privacy
Inbox clutter is a significant problem for everyone, but it’s not our fault. It’s those companies that keep signing us up for newsletters we don’t want (though the Komando newsletter is well worth it!). Rather than just unsubscribing to all those inbox intruders, why not hide your email address so they never find it in the first place?
Use this trick to stop spam texts on your Android phone
Spam messages are no longer confined to your email inbox. They can now show up on your phone as text messages. Spam messages can range from harmless and annoying to invasive and dangerous.
Carriers and smartphone developers offer built-in tools to combat spam. You can block calls and filter numbers from unknown senders if you have an iPhone. You can even report spam messages as junk. Tap or click here to learn more.