Simple Steps to Stop Spam in Seconds
Settings, apps, and precautions.
I could curse spammers to an eternity of hellfire and torture. I could vehemently denounce the giant telecoms for their complicity. Instead, I exercise basic precautions combined with a few settings and apps to avoid spam.
I received this text message a few days ago. What would you do upon receipt?
What if the message said FedEx, Amazon, or Walmart instead? I decided to write this blog.
Commandments
1. Thou shall Not click links!
Do not click the link! Clicking the link installs the malware on to your device. Malware is short for malicious software — viruses, tracking cookies, trojans, ransomware, etcetera.
Spam messages look real. The scammers can employ Grammarly just as well as Medium bloggers. Bygone are the days of typos and grammatical mistakes.
Look at the message again. There are 3 details on this message to identify its phoniness.
- Link. Verifying the link is the MOST important step. Why would USPS send me to a weird site at .info? I can open a browser and go to usps.com and enter the tracking id. I am positive we have the Amazon app installed to review orders. Do not click links you do not know.
- Date. I received this message on September 10, 2020. Who has the patience to wait 3-months for a delivery?
- Id. The message says package 8L77H8, however, in the link it is Ekh8gcmewb. An obvious problem.
2. Thou shall not open unknown attachments
This excellent image from myalignedit.com (full article) highlights how to identify spam messages. When a message seems wrong — Do NOT open the attached file! Attached files can also install malware; they can look like a pdf document, a Word document, image or movie.
Notice the “from address” of the email. Hover over any link to identify the true “destination”. In this example, neither are from Microsoft. Remember Commandment #1.
These rules are applicable on personal and work devices.
Smartphone Settings
There are a few precautions available to us. The following settings are essential to activate.
Silence Unknown Callers.
The best setting ever created! If your phone number is not my Contacts app, please leave a voicemail. Goodbye telemarketers and robocalls.
- iOS: Navigate to Settings to select Phone; Toggle the switch “On” (green) for “Silence Unknown Callers”.
- Android: Navigate to the Phone app to select the ellipsis (3 dots); Select Blocked Numbers and Toggle the switch “On” for Unknown.
Filter Unknown Senders
This feature directs text messages from unknown numbers to a separate view. This makes you more cognizant a message can be spam; is your Spidey Sense tingling?
- iOS: Navigate to Settings to select Messages; Toggle the switch “On” (green) for “Filter Unknown Senders”. In the Messages app, a separate tab will show the messages from Unknown Senders.
- Android: The Block Unknown Numbers setting applies for messages as well. In the Messages app, select the ellipsis (3 dots) and Spam & blocked to view these filtered messages.
Enable Spam Protection
Android phones provide a specific spam protection setting for messages. To enable this feature, from the Messages app, select the ellipsis, then Settings, and Spam protection.
Do Not Disturb (DND)
Android and iOS smartphones support DND, which limits interruptions (calls, notifications, messages). While designed for meetings or bedtime, I prefer to set DND for the entire day, from 12 AM to 11:59 PM. What can I say — my contact list is exclusive. The many options within DND allow it to be highly customizable.
Telecom Apps
It took a while, but the telephone companies have created apps to block and report spam calls. Did I mention they are free? Depending on your carrier, install the appropriate spam app immediately upon activating a new line or phone.
AT&T Call Protect
Verizon Call Filter
T-Mobile Scam Shield
Unscrupulous individuals will harass us until they face eternal damnation. By activating a few settings, installing an app, and being mindful of what I click on, I am hoping to be elusive to the scammers and spammers.
