Most of us delete spam emails as soon as they land in our inbox. They’re irritating, unwanted, and often contain suspicious content. But what many people don’t know is that keeping them, at least briefly can actually help improve your email security in the long run.
How Spam Helps Train Your Email Filter
Email services like Gmail, Outlook, and others have systems that learn to detect unwanted emails over time. But for these systems to improve, they need to be shown which emails are spam. That’s why it’s better to mark suspicious messages as spam instead of just deleting them.
If you’re using a desktop email app like Outlook or Thunderbird, flagging such emails as “junk” helps the program recognize future threats better. If you're reading emails through a browser, you can select the unwanted message and use the “Spam” or “Move to Junk” option to send it to the right folder.
Doing this regularly not only protects your own inbox but can also help your co-workers if you’re using a shared office mail system. The more spam messages you report, the faster the system learns to block similar ones.
No Need to Worry About Storage
Spam folders usually empty themselves after 30 days. So you don’t have to worry about them piling up unless you want to manually clear them every month.
Never Click 'Unsubscribe' on Random Emails
Some emails, especially promotional ones, come with an unsubscribe button. While this can work with genuine newsletters, using it on spam emails is risky. Clicking “unsubscribe” tells scammers that your email address is real and active. This can lead to more dangerous emails or even malware attacks.
How to Stay Safe from Email Scams
1. Be alert. If something feels off, don’t open it.
2. Avoid acting quickly. Scammers often try to pressure you.
3. Don’t click on unknown links. Instead, visit websites directly.
4. Never open files from unknown sources. They can hide harmful programs.
5. Use security tools. Good antivirus software can detect harmful links and block spam automatically.
Helpful Software You Can Use
Programs like Bitdefender offer full protection from online threats. They can block viruses, dangerous attachments, and suspicious websites. Bitdefender also includes a chatbot where you can send messages to check if they’re scams. Another option is Avast One, which keeps your devices safe from fake websites and spam, even on your phone. Both are easy to use and budget-friendly.
While it may seem odd, keeping spam emails for a short time and using them to train your inbox filter can actually make your online experience safer. Just remember — never click links or download files from unknown senders. Taking small steps can protect you from big problems.