Understanding Spam

Spam refers to unsolicited, usually commercial messages such as emails, text messages, or Internet posts that are sent to a large number of recipients or posted in a large number of places. The term first emerged in 1990 and has become increasingly prevalent in the digital age.

A Recent Incident

Recently, several nurses reported receiving concerning emails that fraudulently used the NNBA name in the subject line. Rest assured, our system has robust firewalls, and our server is secure. However, this spammer used “NNBA Registrants” in their subject line to deceive recipients. A quick look at the URL, or Uniform Resource Locator address, of the sender made it clear that it was not from the NNBA.

Safety Tips for Nurses

I urge everyone to exercise extreme caution when opening emails. Do not click on any links or open attachments from email addresses you do not recognize. In 2022, a staggering 56.5% of all emails were spam.

SPAM Statistics 2024 – Key Findings

Techniques and Prevalence

• Snowshoe Technique: The most common method for spam campaigns, as per Symantec, involves using multiple IPs and domains to avoid detection.
• Spam Volume: Nearly 56.5% of all emails were spam in 2022.
• Cost to Businesses: Email spam costs businesses $20.5 billion annually.

Types and Risks

• Scams and Fraud: These comprise only 2.5% of all spam emails, yet phishing statistics show that identity theft accounts for 73% of all phishing attempts.
• Marketing/Advertising Emails: These are the most common type of spam, making up nearly 36% of all spam emails.

Geographic and Organizational Impact

• United States: The leading sender of spam emails, with around 8.61 billion sent.
• Phishing Scams: Targeted as many as 85% of all organizations in 2021.
• Popular Targets: Microsoft accounts are the most frequent target, accounting for 43% of all phishing attempts.

How to Protect Yourself

It’s easy to end up on a spam list—people often leave their addresses on various sign-up services, newsletters, etc. While most spam is merely annoying and time-consuming, about 2.5% can cause significant harm. The worst spam emails can trick you into disclosing bank details, allowing scammers to withdraw money or steal your identity. These emails often use urgent wording to compel you to open them.

Action Steps

If you receive an email that looks suspicious or comes from an unrecognized sender, mark it as spam or, better yet, DELETE IT.

Conclusion

Spam is more than just a nuisance; it can be a serious threat to your business and personal information. Stay informed and vigilant. By recognizing and appropriately handling spam, you can protect yourself and your business from potential harm. Stay safe out in cyberspace nurses!