Detection

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 18 Jan 2010, 05:09

I heard that you should never open spam emails because the spammers can detect you opening it and then they know it's an active account. Is this true? And how is this possible?

Post by **floodhound2** » 18 Jan 2010, 05:44

Yes its true. They request a notice of opening, a send back.

nightkid · Post by **nightkid** » 18 Jan 2010, 13:23

they only know it's a active account, right? they can't gain any info from you just looking at the spam besides you'll most likely get alot more spam.

Post by **DNR** » 18 Jan 2010, 14:48

the way they detect 'live' email accounts to spam is by sending one with an image that must be retrieved from their servers, or provide a link for you to click on. They will attach a txt or pdf file - same thing - they are testing for a live email. Spammers 'pay' for good email addresses.

gmail - has a feature that blocks dowloading images in emails unless you allow it.
Email services try to scan emails for hostile code and can deal with most HTML stuff, but spammers use links and hostile PDF (PDF files are not scanned by most email services - too difficult- too much work)

If the page is not hostile, it at least will tell the spammer they have a live account, expect more spam!

DNR