There are many ways in which spammers can get your email address. (no order)
- From harvesting posts to UseNet, webpages, blogs, chat rooms or other easily accessed forms
- From mailing lists, contest pages or free offer sites
- Compromised websites, phishing domains or chain letter scams (i.e forward to ten friends plus this address for a free copy of <software>)
- Viruses built to harvest address books that you might be listed in
- By guessing, commonly referred to as a dictionary attack
- Buying, renting or trading email lists from each other, disgruntled employees or List Brokerage companies
- By scanning domain registration contact information listed in whois
- Using social engineering to acquire information
- Internet directories, profile pages and social networking sites
- From a previous owner of a recycled email address
