Spam messages?

[slinger1937]

Hello,
I bought a new laptop with Windows 10 already installed.
With it came a Nortons Antivirus Trial, I have never used Nortons and never want to, so I let it lapse instead of removing it.
Since its expiry date I have been inundated with reminders from Nortons and other junk which I do not want, between ten and fifteen a day.
Any suggestions please, I am reluctant to open them to read in case I create more problems.
Thank you

 

[Wolfie]

Did you uninstall Norton?, if you didn't, they are trying to push a sale on you, if you remove it (uninstall), the messages should stop!.

 

[Bastet]

I don’t use Norton & receive these spam messages + other spam to one email address. There’s been a major increase the last few weeks.
There was a data breach at my ISP last year & email addresses were harvested which explains why I’m receiving these now.
I would check the from address is a genuine Norton one - I bet it isn’t.

 

[Wolfie]

I would check the from address is a genuine Norton one - I bet it isn’t.

That is possible Bastet as I got a phishing mail from PayPal (not the real one of course) wanting me to log in using the button in the email!.

 

[slinger1937]

Thank you all, Wolfie, I did remove Norton after it lapsed the trial. I have checked the "From" address and as you say Bastet, they are not the Norton addresses, I suppose it is something I will have to live with?.

 

[Wolfie]

I suppose it is something I will have to live with?.

Is there an "Unsubscribe" button at the bottom of the email?.

 

[Bastet]

I would refrain from clicking on any unsubscribe button as it’s spam mail & this will inform the spammer yours is a genuine email address so will increase spam as they sell the address to others.

 

[Bastet]

That is possible Bastet as I got a phishing mail from PayPal (not the real one of course) wanting me to log in using the button in the email!.

I usually receive one or two spam mostly either offering porn or stating I have a parcel delivery (from a US delivery company).
But recently I’m receiving 10s of emails a day to one email address thanks to the data breach.

 

[Wolfie]

I would refrain from clicking on any unsubscribe button as it’s spam mail & this will inform the spammer yours is a genuine email address so will increase spam as they sell the address to others.

You may well be right Bastet. What about right clicking the mail in the in-box and block this sender if it is possible?.

 

[Bastet]

That’s a grey area Wolfie, some say by just opening the email via the preview pane is enough to ‘alert’ the spammer there’s a genuine address.
Spammers usually have ‘throwaway addresses’ so if they realise one is blocked they just delete it & move to another.
I still use Live Mail & I can turn off the preview pane (which is one of the many features lacking in the MS Mail app).
I’d recommend creating a mail rule on the webmail version of the account but it may require tweaking a few times to get the settings right.
As these scammers usually change the send from address the OP may have to look for ‘subject’ &/or ’containing words’ & add to the rules as required.

 

[Bighorn]

One can block messages but it takes only one character change in the sendor or subject to get around that, feels like 'chasing your tail'.

 

[Bastet]

I agree with that Bighorn.

 

[slinger1937]

Its all a bit complicated to me, I wouldn't know where to start concerning rules, as I said, perhaps its something I must live with for the time being.

 

[Bastet]

Which email client are you using?
Which account is affected?
Usually there a Message Rules option where you can create a rule to block Sender, Subject &/or message contains certain words.

 

[slinger1937]

Hello Bastet, I am using Firefox with Yahoo and Virgin Blueyonder, they both have an option to Block, and I have done this a dozen or so times, however, when I look at the originator I see that the address has changed slightly, I can't keep up, I'm finding it easier to just delete them..

 

[Wolfie]

Hi,

log in to Yahoo and try right clicking and see if you can block/report sender.

 

[Bastet]

I was expecting to hear you’re a Virginmedia customer. I am & it explains the spam, your address must’ve been farmed during the data breach. Only email addresses were harvested not passwords.
Unfortunately VM spam filters are poor at best.

 

[Bastet]

Suggestion here which works for several people.

Archived - Virgin Media Community

community.virginmedia.com

 

[slinger1937]

Thanks for the info. I will follow this up and come back later.

 

[Bastet]

I’ve tried it on my main account & it does seem to work. I’ve had 0 spam on the account.
Now I’m getting spam on my other accounts so will add the same to these.