Spam is not only an irritant but can also contain viruses, spyware and other malware. Spam messages can also cause problems with the device or network you use to check your email. If your computer is infected, your personal content and other data may be stolen by hackers.

Spamers harvest is this a spam email address and sell them to other businesses that send bulk emails. They can also use social media, websites, popups, text messages and phone calls to try to trick you into providing your information or interacting with their shady offer or opportunity.

The classic signs of spam include a sense of urgency, strange punctuation and characters and an email address that doesn’t look like the company you’re dealing with. If you’re unsure whether an unsolicited email is real or not, contact the company directly by going to their website and finding a phone number or contact form for customer support.

Avoid Falling for Scams: How to Check If an Email Address Is a Spam Email Address

Service spam can be anything from educational programs to various types of insurance, with a sense of urgency used to push you into making a quick decision. Financial spam is also common, with offers of low-interest loans or debt assistance as well as outright cash prizes.

If you have a lot of spam, it can be tempting to click on the links or download files included in them, but don’t. Viruses, spyware, Trojans and other malicious software are often distributed by clicking on these types of links or attachments. Using a throwaway or secondary email address for online shopping, signups for services and any other activity that requires an email address can help reduce the amount of spam you receive.