Why is Website Spam on the Rise and What can we do to Prevent It?

Spam is a common term that most of us recognise through unwanted and unsolicited communications, often in the form of annoying email inbox clutter cramming your inbox.

However, spam has now evolved to extend beyond just email, plaguing various online platforms, including websites. While communication providers have come along way to detect spam and filter out these nuisances from primary inboxes, often relegating them to ‘spam’ folders or even warning users about potential spam calls, websites are not yet as fortunate.

What is Website Spam?

The term website spam refers to any type of unwanted, irrelevant, or harmful content that spammers inject into websites. This content can take place in various forms, such as unsolicited comments, fake account registrations, form submissions, and more. The primary culprits behind website spam are spambots, which are automated software tools designed to generate and submit spam content on a large scale.

Spambots exploit vulnerabilities in websites, targeting areas like comment sections, contact forms, or user registration processes. The goal is typically to distribute malicious links, steal data, or promote unrelated ads that generate revenue for the spammer.

Why is Website Spam on the Rise?

There are numerous reasons why we have experienced a spike in website spam, such as:

Increased Online Presence

As a growing number of individuals and businesses establish an online presence, the volume of websites subsequently increases. This results in more opportunities for spammers to attack and push unwanted content.

Enhanced Automation

Spammers are utilising new and advanced technology and tools to scale their operations. With smarter tools and bots at their disposal, spammers can send a large number of automated spam messages with minimal effort required.

Financial Motivation

Financial incentives are also another driving force behind increasing website spam. Money made from clicks, stolen data and unauthorised ads continues to fuel spammers to improve their efforts.

Inadequate Security

Websites that operate with outdated or insufficient security measures can leave you vulnerable and a prime target for spammers. Without a robust security framework, websites remain easy prey.

Anonymity

The internet enables spammers to remain anonymous, which decreases the risk of detection and prosecution. With little accountability, this effectively increases the attractiveness of spamming activity, as there is minimal fear of consequences.

What can we do to Prevent Website Spam?

With these factors in mind, for many businesses, the rise of website spam can feel overwhelming, and without the correct technical protection and support and maintenance services, it can cause numerous issues for a website.

Implement CAPTCHA Software

Spambot defence software, CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart), can help to prevent the occurrence of website spam.

Implementing CAPTCHA authentication software to your website is a great way to distinguish between human users and bots. If potential bot activity on a website is detected, CAPTCHA requires human activity to solve a puzzle or answer an on-screen question, in order to remain active on the site. By adding CAPTCHA to key areas of your website, such as registration forms, contact forms, and comment sections, you can prevent automated bots from submitting spam content.

Regularly Update Website Software and Plug-ins

In an ever-evolving world of technology, it’s important to stay up-to-date with any changes or software developments to ensure you are utilising the benefits. Make sure to regularly update your website’s CMS (Content Management System), plugins, and any third-party tools you use to protect against new threats.

Use Advanced Spam Filters

Implement advanced spam filters, such as Akismet, to automatically detect and block spam messages appearing on your website. These filters analyse comments, form submissions, and other content to identify patterns associated with spam. By implementing advanced spam filters, you can significantly reduce the volume of unwanted content without the need for manual intervention.

Monitor Website Activity

Proactive monitoring and maintenance of your website is key to detect unusual activity and address potential spam issues promptly. A failure to do so will result in a greater amount of spam to your website, which will go undetected without sufficient supervision.

You can use website monitoring tools to track user activity, look for suspicious behaviour and detect any unusual spikes in traffic that could signal an attempted spam attack. The quicker you respond to these signs, the less damage the spam will cause.

Enable User Verification

Another great way to deter spam is by enabling user verification features, such as email or phone number verification Requiring users to confirm their identity before submitting a form or posting content allows you to create an additional barrier for preventing spam activity.

Conclusion

As website spam continues to rise, it’s becoming increasingly important to take proactive steps towards protecting your website. By implementing protective software like CAPTCHA, regular updates, spam filters, and regular monitoring, you can protect your website from the harmful effects of spam.

Taking action now will not only help prevent the damage caused by spam but will also create a better experience for your legitimate visitors and customers.

At Generate UK, we understand the importance of a well-maintained and supported website for the success of any business. Our website support and maintenance services are designed to ensure your website stays up-to-date, secure, and performs at its best. Our support and maintenance services include: website updates, maintenance, backups and security, in addition to technical support, performance optimisation and content updates.

Don’t compromise on your website’s security – Get in touch with our expert team today!