Spam – it’s the never-ending digital pest that just won’t leave us alone.
From calls about extended car warranties to emails telling you you’ve just been selected to help a “prince” access their billion-dollar inheritance, these scams have become nuisances that seem to breed faster than rabbits.
But fear not, you don’t have to live in fear online.
Here are five practical, 2025-ready ways to keep your phone, inbox, and sanity spam-free. Let’s get right to it.
Strategy #1 – Go invisible with Surfsharks “Alternative” ID and Number Features
Now we bring out the big guns – Alternative ID and Alternative Number from Surfshark. These tools serve as digital camouflage for your personal information and private data.
They come in pretty handy when you don’t want to give out your real email address or phone number when signing up for a service or site. Alternative ID creates a fully functional alt-persona, complete with a real email address, to use on website, app, or newsletter sign-up forms, without risking your real inbox being clogged with garbage.
And the best part? The fake address forwards emails to your real inbox so you don’t miss anything important.
Alternative Number is a blessing from the binary code gods for dodging spam calls and texts – it’s a virtual phone number for one-time signups or temporary online interactions.
Calls and messages come through to your phone just like they would with a regular number, but your real phone number stays out of the equation. It’s perfect for anyone tired of being interrupted by endless robocalls or phishing scams.
Setting these tools up on any device is a breeze. Fire up the Surfshark app, create your Alternative ID, and add an Alternative Number all within your settings dashboard.
Strategy #2 – Register Your Number in the “Do Not Call” List
Okay, this one’s not as flashy, but it’s still worth doing. There are several variants of a “Do Not Call” registry for governments around the world. It basically tells telemarketers to back off when you sign up.
Here’s the deal: while it won’t block every spam call because scammers don’t play by the rules, it will reduce volume. Think of it as turning the spam tap from full-blast to a slow drip. You search for the registry in your country, add your number there, and you’re done.
Strategy #3 – Block Spam Immediately and Report It
Where spam calls and texts are concerned, it’s just like weeding the garden – you’ve gotta yank those suckers the moment they pop up.
Most smartphones these days have built-in features to block numbers and report them as spam. If someone is blowing up your phone with unwanted messages or calls, don’t just delete them – block the sender and report them to your carrier through your phone settings.
Carriers often have apps that take this action a step further. Tools like AT&T Call Protect or Verizon Call Filter can identify potential spam before you even pick up. They’re not perfect but can save you a lot of headaches.
Strategy #4 – Use Email Filtering
Your e-mail service provider has filters in place that weed out the junk from legitimate messages – but unfortunately – these tools aren’t completely bulletproof either. If you’re drowning in spam, it’s time to turn up those settings.
Start with adjusting your spam filters. Most e-mail services allow you to set how loosely or strictly these filters operate. Turn them up to high, and anything remotely sketchy should go straight to your spam folder.
Next, create custom filters. You can create rules that sort e-mails by keyword, sender’s address, and even subject lines. For example, if you keep getting emails about “free gift cards,” make a filter that nukes them before they hit your inbox. And for added security, use a third-party spam blocker.
Strategy #5 – Stop Giving Away Your Real Identity Online
Most of the spam that chokes up our inboxes comes from us giving out our personal information without a second thought. Remember that “free” trial for that streaming service you signed up for? How about the newsletter you subscribed to on a whim? Nothing’s free and it all comes with a cost because they’re selling your data to brokers.
The solution?
Stop giving out your real email and phone number. Surfshark Alternative ID and Number allow you to hand out faux email addresses and phone numbers that work, while your real identity stays private.
Take Control Back of Your Privacy
Spam calls, emails, and texts are an invasion of your digital space. With the right tools, you put the power back in your hands and stop spam at its source. Alternative ID and Alternative Number from Surfshark are the ultimate privacy and online safety solution to protect your data and digital identity, keeping your inbox clutter-free and your information out of the hands of nefarious bad actors.
The cherry on top is that Surfshark’s privacy tools not only work, and work well – but surprisingly – they’re fairly affordable. Plans start off as low as $2.19 per month for a 2-year subscription, with three months free, and for an extra $1.49 per month, you get Surfshark One – a bundle featuring Alternative ID and Number, along with an antivirus platform and a private search engine.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more cost-effective way to protect your online identity and ring fence your privacy. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to take action and get rid of spam, phishing scams, and data leaks with Surfshark.
