Online email spam comes in all forms, shapes, and sizes – there simply is no hiding from it. While the spam you are receiving may seem like random junk mail, and the majority of it is, in all actuality some of it is targeted specifically to you or your demographic. There could be any number of reasons why a spammer has chosen you, but the point is the same; this still is spam, and it should still be treated as such in every sense of the word. But with all of this junk e-mail being sent so rampantly across the World Wide Web, you may be wondering just who are the biggest spam targets? As you are about to find out, the answer varies.

Internet shoppers are the biggest spam targets for general spam marketers, and those who are looking to sell a product or service. Because nearly all online shoppers have a credit card, spammers know that they can receive quick cash if they can convince the general public that they’re products are good – whether or not they really are useful items or services is different story.

Of course the exact type of product or service being pushed by a spammer has an effect on which demographic they target, as well. For example, young and middle-aged males are typically the biggest targets of pornographic spam.

Unfortunately the elderly are the biggest spam targets when it comes to online scams such as the 419 or Nigerian Letter Scam. Because this demographic is typically more empathetic than your average computer user, they are easily talked into sending money to shady online sources. We must all make a greater effort to help the elderly with email protection.