What is spam?
Spam is junk email. It's annoying at best and a security risk at worst. Some spam is harmless, though irritating. However, some spam is sent by cybercriminals who are attempting to capture your personal data through innocent looking marketing emails.
Spammers send massive amounts of junk email in hopes that at least some of the recipients will click on the links or attachments. When someone clicks on a spam email, they're sent to phishing or malware websites, where they're tricked into providing personal information, activating a virus or downloading malicious software.
Spammers collect email addresses from chatrooms, websites, customer lists, newsgroups and email viruses that harvest users' address books. These addresses are then sold to other spammers.
Fortunately, there are some ways to defend yourself against spam:
- Use a spam filter — most email programs offer this tool. Learn how to use the spam filter in your CenturyLink email.
- Install and use a good antivirus program. CenturyLink High-Speed Internet customers get McAfee Security for free.
- Be cautious when you see unexpected or unknown content in your email.
- If you get a spam message in your CenturyLink account, report it by selecting the message and clicking the "spam" button or report it to us.
- Read more tips for email safety.
