Spam and phishing, what’s the difference?

Spam is a collective term for all e-mails that are unwanted. Within this it is useful to distinguish between messages that can cause irritation but are otherwise harmless, and those that can harm you. Below we briefly describe the most common spam messages.

Not dangerous, but very annoying. And there is no no/no sticker for advertising emails. Sometimes, consciously or unconsciously, you sign up for emails. For example, after you have ordered something from an online store. You pay and overlook the checkmark that indicates that you will receive a newsletter full of offers from now on. As annoying as they may be, these emails are otherwise harmless. And you can unsubscribe from it.

But advertising emails can also be sent unsolicited. In such a case, your e-mail address has fallen into the hands of spammers who send large amounts of e-mails. These messages are generally loud, busy and characterized by sloppy language. And often they are drafted in a different language. Delete these messages. It is not wise to unsubscribe: spammers know that mail to your address is really read and will send even more annoying mails. These e-mails are also innocent.

Phishing emails are annoying, but also really dangerous. Phishing is English for ‘fishing’. Criminals are fishing for your login, bank and personal details. To take money from you. The scum lures you via a link to a fake website and tempts you to enter your details there. Then your bank account is looted. So if in doubt, do not click on the link.

A variant of the phishing e-mails are the begging e-mails. It presents a pathetic story or a reward in prospect. Whether you would like to transfer money. In this phishing variant, the victim is thus persuaded to transfer money of his own accord.

E-mails with attachments deserve special attention. The attachment is an excellent place for criminals to hide malicious software. Recipients open the attachment, and those who are not careful install a malicious program undetected. Malware, as it is also called.

A fake giveaway is an email that gives the impression that you have won a prize or gift card. Large companies such as Albert Heijn, Ikea, Center Parcs or Nespresso are often used as senders. Who wouldn’t want to win a weekend away, for example? You will of course never see that price appear. People are after your personal data and they often want to sell you an expensive SMS subscription.

Fake e-mails remain difficult to recognize. Most importantly, don’t fall for it! Read on our site how to deal with spam and phishing. Furthermore, SeniorWeb members can forward suspicious emails to us. You will hear at the latest the next working day whether it is a phishing email or not. To do this, go to the SeniorWeb Phishing Checker.