Email spam is breaking through again. Here’s what you can do to minimize it.

Email spam can be a persistent problem, even with modern filtering technologies. If you’re seeing a surge of spam messages in your inbox, here are some practical steps to minimize it:

1. Strengthen Your Email Spam Filters

Most email providers have spam filters in place, but they may need some fine-tuning:

• Gmail/Outlook Settings: Go into your email settings and make sure your spam filter is set to its highest protection level. You can also manually mark emails as “spam” to help train the filter.
• Whitelist and Blacklist: Add trusted senders to your “whitelist” (safe sender list) and blacklist known spammers to prevent them from reaching your inbox again.

2. Unsubscribe Carefully

Many legitimate companies offer an unsubscribe link at the bottom of their emails. Be sure to:

• Unsubscribe from Unwanted Emails: Click the unsubscribe link only from reputable sources. This reduces the chances of receiving spam from legitimate but annoying marketing lists.
• Avoid Clicking Suspicious Unsubscribe Links: If an email looks suspicious, don’t click the unsubscribe link—it could be a phishing attempt. Instead, mark it as spam.

3. Use a Secondary Email Address

Create a separate email account specifically for online shopping, signing up for services, or using in public places. This will help keep your primary inbox cleaner by diverting potentially spammy emails to a secondary account.

4. Don’t Publish Your Email Publicly

Avoid posting your email address publicly on websites, forums, or social media. Spammers use bots to scrape the internet for publicly listed email addresses, which then get added to spam lists.

5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

If a spammer gets access to your email account, they can not only send spam but also gain access to your personal information. Enabling 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your account and reduces the risk of spam escalations through account hijacking.

6. Avoid Opening and Interacting with Spam Emails

Opening spam emails or clicking on links within them signals to spammers that your email address is active, making you a more frequent target. Instead:

• Don’t Click Links: Avoid clicking any links or downloading attachments in unsolicited emails.
• Don’t Reply: Even responding with “unsubscribe” can sometimes validate your email to spammers.

7. Use Third-Party Spam-Filtering Tools

If your email provider’s filters aren’t effective enough, consider third-party tools such as:

• SpamTitan or MailWasher: These tools add another layer of protection by filtering out spam before it reaches your inbox.
• Browser-Based Tools: Some browser extensions can help block unwanted emails or prevent you from visiting phishing sites.

8. Update Your Password Regularly

If your email address is on a spam list due to a data breach, spammers could try to hack your account. Regularly updating your password can help prevent unauthorized access and minimize the risk of further spam.

9. Be Cautious of “Free” Offers

Spammers often lure people by promising free products or services. Avoid giving your email address to suspicious websites offering free giveaways, newsletters, or content without checking their legitimacy.

10. Report Spam to Your Email Provider

When you receive spam, marking it as such helps your provider adjust its filters and improve spam protection. Regularly reporting spam emails trains the system and reduces the likelihood of those emails making it through in the future.

11. Consider Using a Disposable Email Service

For one-time sign-ups or services that you don’t plan to interact with long-term, use disposable email addresses from services like 10 Minute Mail or Mailinator. This keeps your primary inbox spam-free.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the amount of spam you receive. While no method is foolproof, taking proactive measures helps protect your inbox and maintain a cleaner email experience.