Spam Trap

What is a Spam Trap?

A spam trap is a once-valid email address (that is no longer) used by email providers to attract spammers. An “untainted” spamtrap (one that has not been discovered and used by a spammer) collects unsolicited messages that can be blocked by an automated anti-spam system, and continue to block email addresses containing the same content (bulk UCE). Continual hitting of spam traps lowers a business’ reputation and can eventually result in being blacklisted. Business’ may encounter spam traps due to a security breach or infrastructure problem (backscatter), or from an “unclean” rented or purchased list.