Today, nearly all under-24s access the internet via mobile or computer, while 80% of those aged 60-69 and almost 60% of those 70+ do the same. Internet habits vary by age, but many seniors rely on email to stay connected with family, friends, and for news or commercial updates. Like everyone else, they face spam—unwanted emails that clutter inboxes.
Spam is "unsolicited electronic communication," as defined by the Ministry of the Economy. These are mass emails from unknown senders whose addresses are harvested online or generated automatically, overwhelming your inbox.
Common types include:
When spam arrives, adopt these expert-recommended steps to stay safe:
Never reply to spam—it confirms your email is active, inviting more.
Avoid clicking links in spam; they may deploy cookies or trackers to harvest your data. Similarly, do not open attachments for the same risks.
Use anti-spam filters from providers like Gmail, Thunderbird, or Outlook, or install free/paid ones. These scan emails server-side, routing spam to a junk folder or deleting it outright.
In France, download Signal Spam from signal-spam.fr—it's free software that integrates with your email for one-click reporting. It identifies spammers and shares data with authorities for enforcement.
As the Signal Spam association notes, "Reports provide the digital evidence investigators need to sanction abusive companies and pursue cybercriminals."
For criminal spam (e.g., pedophilia, hate speech, threats, fraud, terrorism), report via signalement.gouv.fr.
