Slam, Bam – More SPAM

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If you prefer, you can also listen to this information onhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/norbert-g my Podcast at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/norbert-gostischa/episodes/Slam--Bam--More-SPAM-e34chgq

Why Your Inbox Looks Like a Junk Drawer and What You Can Do About It

Let’s face it - your email inbox used to be a sacred place — the digital equivalent of a tidy mailbox outside your house. Now, It’s like your front yard has been invaded by fast-talking, trench-coat-wearing salespeople hurling leaflets at your face every morning.

Spam — that delightful word that once meant mystery meat in a can — now fills our digital lives with everything from miracle weight loss gummies to Nigerian princes who still haven’t given up on sending us millions. And no, clicking “unsubscribe” doesn’t always help — it can sometimes feel like yelling “stop” at a mosquito in a hurricane.

📬The Spam Tsunami - Why It’s Getting Worse

Here’s the dirty little secret - spam is big business. Sending out billions of emails costs practically nothing. And even if only 0.001% of people click, that's still a win for the spammer.

The tools to generate spam have gotten smarter, faster, and sneakier. Thanks to AI and automation, cyber-scammers now personalize emails, spoof real addresses, and bypass filters with subject lines like:

“Your Amazon order has shipped!” - you didn’t order anything.

“Thanks for your payment!” - you didn’t pay anyone.

“Re  -  Our Meeting”  - you didn’t have a meeting.

Phishing emails, a cousin of spam are worse — they’re not just annoying, they’re dangerous. One click, and suddenly you’re sharing your password with a guy named Vlad in a basement in Belarus.

🤔Why Can’t Filters Stop This?

Spam filters do work — just not perfectly. Here’s why:

Spammers adapt quickly - Every time a filter gets smarter, spammers change tactics.

Filters can’t read your mind - Some things look like spam but aren’t  - hello, Aunt Martha’s chain emails.

They’re walking a fine line - Too strict, and they send real emails to the junk folder - Too lenient, and the spam floods in.

It’s an arms race — and guess what - You're stuck in the middle.

🛡️So, What Can You Do About It?  - Without Losing Your Mind.

Here’s your digital bug spray — a list of proven, non-magical, non-tinfoil-hat tips that actually work:

1 - Use a Spam-Filtering Email Service

Gmail, Outlook, and ProtonMail all have strong spam filters built-in. If you’re using something outdated (cough AOL cough), consider switching.

2 - Don’t Use Your Real Email Everywhere

Treat your primary email address like your toothbrush -  don’t share it with every random person you meet online.

Use a secondary or throwaway email for signups, freebies, and contests.

3 - Don’t Click ‘Unsubscribe’ Unless You Trust the Source

Ironically, clicking “unsubscribe” on shady emails can confirm to spammers that you’re a real person. That’s like telling a telemarketer, “I’m home, call me again!”

4 - Train Your Spam Filter

Mark spam as spam. Don’t just delete it. Over time, your email learns what you consider junk.

5 - Use Aliases or Email Masking Services

Apple’s “Hide My Email,” Firefox Relay, and 1Password's email aliases let you create a decoy address. You can delete it anytime. It’s like giving out a fake phone number, but for your inbox.

6 - Enable Two-Factor Authentication

This won’t stop spam, but it will stop spammers from hijacking your account when you click on the wrong thing.

💡Is There Any Hope in Sight?

Believe it or not, yes — a glimmer! Tech companies are rolling out AI-powered filters that detect context, not just keywords. The rise of disposable email tech, more private browsing habits, and better user education (that’s you!) is helping push back the spam tide.

In fact, some email services are experimenting with pay-to-send filters. If someone really wants to email you and doesn’t know you, they might have to pay a tiny fee — killing off mass spam blasts overnight. Wouldn’t that be lovely?

😂One Last Laugh Before You Go

Spam is like glitter - easy to spread, hard to clean up, and it shows up in the weirdest places. But you don’t have to surrender your inbox to chaos. With a few smart moves, you can cut the clutter and leave the canned meat for your pantry — or better yet, someone else’s.

(AI was used to aid in the creation of this article.)

"I’ll see you again soon. Bye-bye and thanks for reading, watching, and listening."