Spam Emails: This could be quite a convenient way to detect them!

Published June 23, 2022
Author: Ash Khan

Spam Emails: This could be quite a convenient way to detect them!

Published June 23, 2022
Author: Ash Khan

Ever wondered what is the most typical spam email subject line?

Spam and phishing emails can be harmful since they frequently lead to more destructive cyberattacks. Atlas VPN researchers discovered several common denominators for threat actors delivering spam and phishing emails. The users can utilize this information to detect these emails early and prevent further severe threats.

According to the Expel Quarterly Threat Report Q1 2022, the majority of malicious emails around 67%, comprised of a blank subject line. They contain no names, no calls to action, only blank space.

While receiving an email with a blank subject line is a “big red flag” however, it is not the only thing crooks do. Around 9% of emails include the subject line “Fax Delivery Report”. The other similar subject lines are that are in the list are

  • Business Proposal Request
  • Meeting Request
  • You have (1) a New Voice Message
  • Re: Urgent Request
  • Order Confirmation

Spelling and grammar mistakes

Any email containing one of these or some version of it should be suspected as malicious from the beginning.

Researchers discovered more methods for detecting spam emails. The majority of the threat actors circulating these messages are from non-English speakers. This result in emails riddled with language and spelling mistakes. Email address domains should also be watched, as no legit organization will send emails from public domains like Hotmail or Gmail.

Finally, no respectable company will request confidential or otherwise sensitive information by email. If the email contains a link or an attachment requesting the victim’s personal information, it is definitely a fraud attempt.

Email is one of the most common attack points for hackers worldwide. It is preferred due to its simplicity of use, cheap cost, and broad reach. Almost all modern data breaches began with sensitive data theft from an endpoint via phishing emails.