Spam messages are unwanted content that appears in your inbox, causing a rapid increase in messages and disrupting the tracking of important conversations or notifications. Beyond simply being annoying, many spam messages pose security risks. While some are harmless mass advertisements or marketing notifications, many others are designed to trick recipients into clicking on dangerous links or providing personal, account, and financial information.

In this article, we will explore how to block and report spam messages on popular platforms, and analyze how to reduce the risk of your phone number being targeted. Additionally, the article will help you identify the signs of suspicious messages and understand the security risks associated with SMS scams.
Blocking Spam Messages Effectively
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to reduce spam is to directly block the sender and activate the spam filtering features available on your operating system. When you block a phone number, subsequent messages from that number will no longer appear in your inbox. Meanwhile, spam filters use an automatic detection mechanism to identify suspicious messages and move them to a separate area.
Both iPhones and Android devices have these tools built into the default Messages app, making it easy for users to manage unwanted content without needing to install additional apps.
Blocking and Filtering Spam Messages on iPhone

On iOS, you can reduce spam messages in two main ways: blocking specific senders and enabling spam filtering. When you receive a suspicious message, simply open the conversation, tap the sender's information at the top of the screen, and select block contact. After confirmation, messages from that number will no longer bother you.

Additionally, iOS allows for automatic message categorization. When spam filtering is enabled in the Messages settings, the system will attempt to identify and separate messages that are unknown or show signs of spam. You can still review filtered messages at any time to avoid missing important content.
Blocking and Protecting Against Spam on Android
For Android, especially devices using Google Messages, blocking spam messages is also very intuitive. Users can press and hold on a spam conversation, select block, and simultaneously report it as spam. Google Messages has built-in spam protection, which automatically detects and filters suspicious messages before they appear in the main inbox.
When this feature is enabled, the system continuously learns from user reports to improve detection capabilities, contributing to a reduction in the number of spam messages over time.
Reporting Spam Messages to Improve the System
Reporting spam messages not only helps you but also helps platforms and carriers detect abusive senders. Reporting will not automatically block messages, but it provides important data to improve the filtering system in the future.
On iPhones, you can report spam when you delete a message. On Android, the reporting option usually appears as soon as you block the sender. Additionally, many carriers allow users to forward spam messages to a dedicated number (e.g., 7726 in some countries) to help block spam at the network level.

Minimize Spam by Limiting Phone Number Disclosure
The most effective way to prevent spam is to limit the collection and sharing of your phone number. Many spam messages originate from phone numbers provided during account registrations, online shopping, or leaked from past security incidents. Additionally, reusing old phone numbers or automated messaging campaigns also makes many people targets.
You should review unused accounts, remove your phone number from unnecessary services, and prioritize alternative authentication methods such as email or authentication apps. Also, review your privacy settings to ensure your phone number is not publicly displayed or easily searchable.
Alternatives to Personal Phone Numbers
Instead of using one phone number for all services, you can consider using a secondary number, eSIM, virtual number, or call forwarding service. These solutions help separate your primary phone number from registration, marketing, or service trial activities, thereby reducing the risk of spam. However, it's important to note that some platforms, especially banks or financial services, may not support these types of numbers for verification.
Identifying Spam and SMS Scams
Spam messages often have easily recognizable characteristics such as unclear senders, generic content, lack of personal information, spelling errors, or strange links. When messages go beyond mere advertising and begin requesting information, urging urgent action, or impersonating reputable organizations, it could be an SMS scam (smishing).

Smishing campaigns often exploit familiar scenarios such as delivery notifications, security alerts, prize winnings, or attractive job offers. The ultimate goal is to lead you to malicious websites or trick you into providing sensitive information.
Why You Shouldn't Click on Suspicious Links
Links in spam messages are a common way for attackers to collect information, install malware, or track user behavior. Even if you don't enter any data, opening a link can register your device as active, leading to further attacks.
The Role of VPNs in Protecting Privacy
VPNs cannot prevent spam messages or control who can text your phone number. However, some VPN services integrate features to block malicious websites, minimizing the risk if you accidentally click on a link in a spam message. Additionally, VPNs mask your IP address, limiting the ability of malicious actors to link their online activity to your real location or network. Even so, VPNs cannot protect you from information you voluntarily share.