SPAM messages marked as "read", even though I didn't?

I use Yahoo mail. Recently I’ve noticed SPAM email that is marked as “read” in the SPAM folder (i.e., not bolded in the list, as unread messages are) even though I am SURE that I didn’t open them.

Why is this happening? Is this some spammers method of making me think I’ve opened that email? (Though I can’t imagine what advantage that would give.)

Is my email system automatically “reading” this message, even though I haven’t? (There’s a scary thought! Imagine what mischief a spammer could do if that were true!)

Any theories or knowledge why this is happening?

Thanks,
J.

I also use Yahoo! mail and I have never seen this happen before. Is this in you Inbox or Spam folder?

I’ve noticed it in the SPAM folder for sure. I can’t confirm that I’ve seen it in the inbox.

J.

Sounds strange. I would let Yahoo know what you’ve noticed. You can contact them at Help for your Yahoo Account. Let us know what they tell you…

If you open a message in the Inbox then click the button that indicates it’s spam in Yahoo! Mail, isn’t it sent to the Spam box, but is marked as read?

I’ve seen the same thing in my Yahoo Inbox. No idea.

In the meantime, I’d suggest changing your password… Just to be on the safe side…

More info: I’ve noticed that only the messages that I have “checked” in the inbox (without opening) and clicked the “Spam” button show up as “read” in the Spam folder.

J.

The Microsoft Outlook preview panel automatically opens and displays the top message in the inbox every time you start the program. That message is thereafter counted as already read, whether you meant to look at it or not. There was a scare a few years ago about viruses getting in through this feature.

Yes, but that’s not what is happening here. The Yahoo mail window preview panel does not open the message until you click on the message itself, not just the checkbox.

If you are reading a message then delete that message, Yahoo mail automatically opens the next message. This is another potential way that spam mail could be opened, but, again, that is not what is happening here.

J.

SPAM=meat.
spam=email.

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