Spam, How Opening It Can Leave You Vulnerable

Spam, How Opening It Can Leave You Vulnerable

Hi Bewsey & Whitecross

Over the years I have been keen to stress the importance of IT security.

We hear all the time about data breaches from various companies and organisations. And yes, they are a source of data, but not the only source.

Did you know the importance of Spam Mail for criminals and how even opening Spam compromises yourself?

Spam Mail should never be opened.

When you open a spam mail, inside the Spam Mail is a hidden 1x1 gif. This is a well-known marketing activity. When you open the random spam a request for your user ‘IP address’ and your ‘User Agent’ will be sent to the server that hosts the gif.

With this request a spammer is able to know that you have opened the email, from where and on which device e.g. iPhone, Outlook etc. Ensuring that they know the address is valid and you actually open spam.

As a reminder, Don’t Open Spam

Most Spam filters allow you to view the email in text format, before you approve or deny. Do not allow SMTP or Download Images. Doing so communicates with the Server.

Even if you have a VPN to hide your location, you are still confirming the validity of the email address, and that you open Spam emails.

Definitions:

User Agent: It's a short, technical description of the web browser, operating system, (and maybe mobile device) that you're using as you access the internet. Your web browser sends it to every website you visit.

IP Address: The unique identifying number assigned to every device connected to the internet.

Remember, Don’t Open Spam

#DOS

Kind regards

Stephen Blake 20406

Central

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Message Sent By
Stephen Blake
(Cheshire Police, PCSO, Warrington)