In today's digital era, email has become an indispensable tool for communication. However, one of the most perplexing and frustrating situations is receiving SPAM emails that seemingly originate from our own email account. In this article, we will explore why this happens and provide some guidelines on what to do about it.
Why do they appear to come from my own account?
SPAM emails that appear to come from our own account are a tactic used by spammers to deceive users and increase the likelihood of them opening these messages. This technique is known as "spoofing," where spammers falsify the sender's email address to make it appear as if it's coming from a trusted source, such as our own account.
What should I do with these SPAM emails?
- Do not open or respond: The golden rule with SPAM emails is not to open or respond to them. Doing so may confirm to the sender that your email address is active, which could result in an increase in the volume of SPAM you receive.
- Mark as SPAM: Use the mark as SPAM function in your email client. This helps train your email filter to identify similar future messages as SPAM and direct them to the appropriate folder.
- Set up email filters: Configure filters or rules in your email client so that messages that appear to come from your own account are automatically sent to the SPAM folder or deleted outright.
- Update your antivirus and security software: Ensure you have up-to-date antivirus and reliable security software installed on your device. This will help detect and block SPAM emails before they reach your inbox.
- Consider changing your password: If you frequently receive SPAM emails that appear to come from your own account, it could be a sign that your account has been compromised. In that case, change your password immediately and make sure to use a strong and unique password.
Although receiving SPAM emails that appear to come from our own account can be perplexing, it's important to remember that these messages are fake and designed to deceive us. By following the guidelines mentioned above, we can reduce the amount of SPAM we receive and keep our email accounts more secure. Remember, caution and education are key to protecting oneself in the digital world.