Phishing Scams and Spam: Email Filters, Spam Blockers, and Other Ways to Stay Secure Online

Phishing scams and other cybercrimes have become extremely common these days and sadly, cybersecurity issues are constantly on the rise. According to statistics, about 3.4 billion spam emails are sent every day across the globe. It is further said Google blocks approximately 100 million spam emails every day. Not to forget, 48% of emails sent in the previous year 2022 were spam.
The worst part of the story is that millions of people around the world fall victim to cybersecurity issues every year. Whether it's a phishing scam, online data breach, hacking, ransomware, or malware, these things are everywhere and nobody is safe online. The question is, how to stay safe online? How to ensure data security? How to eliminate the risk of data breaches and increase online security? Do anonymous betting sites help protect the personal data while having fun online? Well, there are a lot of such questions that constantly make rounds and many answers that may or may not suffice.

Do Email Filters and Spam Blockers Help?

A lot of people rely on email filters and spam blockers when it comes to phishing scams, ransomware, and malware. They add filters to their mailbox, so all the suspicious emails go to the junk folder. In this process, they often miss out on important emails.

Also, many people still fall for such scams whenever they visit their junk/spam folder. They open anonymous emails only to check if they're worth keeping or deleting and eventually become victims of cybercrimes. Most of the time, these emails bring along extremely attractive content, including informational blogs, lucky draws, and visually-appealing advertisements. Even though Google blocks about 100 million spam emails every day, hackers still find a way to get to you, costing you a lot both financially and emotionally. Similarly, email filters and spam blockers are effective but not 100% effective and successful. Although we suggest using email filters and spam blockers, you cannot completely rely on them.

A Few Effective Ways to Increase Online Security

As mentioned above, solely relying on email filters and spam blockers isn't a sensible course of action; however, you need not worry. Thankfully, there are several ways to increase online security. Here we've compiled a list of ways to help you increase your online security and steer clear of phishing scams and other cybercrimes.

Using a VPN

VPN, an abbreviation for virtual private network, is extremely useful when it comes to online security. Whether it’s a phishing scam or a cyber-attack, having a VPN can minimize your risk of falling victim to it. It works by removing your location and IP address.

When the hacker is unable to trace your IP address or location, he’s unable to keep a track of your data and subsequently, harm you in any way. All you need to do is switch on the VPN every time you use the internet. For added security, we suggest you use a reliable and fast VPN router. It will keep your entire network secure, not just your device.

Get an Antivirus Plan

The second thing that you can do is get a good antivirus plan. Antivirus software can help filter out your emails. If you have antivirus software installed on your device, it will automatically filter your emails and add any suspicious content to the junk/spam folder.

Moreover, it will alert you in case of a suspicious email so that you’ll know that it shouldn’t be opened or acted upon. The best part is that even if you open it, it won’t be able to harm your device and keep it secure in case of a virus or malware.

Two Factor Authentication

Many people now prefer using mobile applications over website versions of brands and services. The two-factor authentication is super effective when it comes to protecting mobile applications. Even if someone guesses your password, the two-factor authentication can still save you from data theft.

If you switch on two-factor authentication, the app you use will send you an OTP code or confirmation message every time you enter your password to log in. It may not save you from phishing scams in particular but it will help you steer clear of data and identity theft and other cybercrimes.

The Final Word…

Phishing scams and other spams can be a big issue; thus, taking precautionary measures is a must. They will help minimize the risk of cyber-attacks, phishing scams, and other cybercrimes. After all, it's best to take precautions as prevention is better than cure.