10 to 15 spam emails a day. How much should one expect and put up with? Is it a good idea to change email addresses, or will it just start again?


There is no idea how much spam is "average" but as the vast majority of email is spam, the real question is how much of it gets eliminated on its way to you. if you get well over 100 spam emails a day over three accounts, but if you only see three or four a day ...
Don't look in spam folders for real mail caught by the filters. If you're seeing 10-15 in your inbox, you could get better spam filtering, or switch to Gmail, which does an excellent job of catching spam.

Changing your email addresses should reduce spam, but as you say, it will just start again. You can reduce the risk by not publishing your addresses on the web, and by not replying to spammers or any other emails that look dodgy.

CNN and MSNBC Alert - Spam Emails

The spammers have been a bit clever with this one... they have constructed an exact replica for a legitimate CNN and MSNBC alert emails.

Most of the links in the below email actually go to the CNN website, the privacy policy and terms for example all go through to the correct website. The email looks exactly like a legitimate news alert from CNN. Very clever spam emails!



The Problem

The danger lies with the other links on this spam email, the links for the news stories will take you to a website which is then used to infect your computer with a virus or Trojan. These spam emails have a specific purpose, and that is to infect your computer with a virus.

Once your computer is infected, it will be then used to send out more spam or even to capture your passwords and other sensitive data (Credit card details etc).


The Solution

- If you don't normally receive CNN or MSNBC news alerts don't click on the links in this spam email, not even the unsubscribe link!

- Make sure your anti-virus protection is fully up-to-date

- If you have signed up for and do receive legitimate alerts, beware of clicking on links embedded in the email. If the webpage requests you to install anything, don't do it. Immediately close your browser and delete the email.

- Be prepared, as this continues to spread, you may start to receive similar alerts from other sources such as ESPN or USA Today. Again, if you have not subscribed to these alerts, your safest move would be to simply delete them without clicking on any of their links.