Unsolicited Example Email

What is it?

Unsolicited emails are a type of spam where the sender will send an email to a recipient when the recipient never consented to receive the email. There are different kinds of unsolicited emails. The first kind, which is the most common, is typically a marketing email from a company trying to sell you their products, but you never gave that company permission to spam you in the first place. Usually this type of email includes a working unsubscribe link. The next type of unsolicited email is similar to the previous, but there is no working method for unsubscribing from this type, in addition to never agreeing to receive them. These ones are usually the most frustrating since it feels like there's nothing you can do to stop them. The final type of unsolicited email is when you receive a malicious email, such as a spoofed email, or phishing email, however these types of emails are covered in their own sections.

 

 

Tips for identifying unsolicited emails

• If you don't recognize the sender and you're not familiar with the contents of the email, it could be an unsolicited email. Most unsolicited emails will meet this criteria, but just because an email meets this criteria doesn't necessarily mean it's an unsolicited email.
• Is the sender trying to sell you something? If so and you haven't communicated with the company or sender before, then it's likely an unsolicited email.
• Is the sender "reaching out" to you to discuss some kind of "business opportunity"? Unless the sender is someone you've communicated with before, it's probably an unsolicited email.
• If the initial text of the email addresses you in a vague way, such as saying "dear colleague", or "dear researcher", or if it lacks a greeting, it could be a sign of unsolicited email. Non-spam emails should address you in a more professional manner.