How Do Spammers Get Your Email Address

Data Breaches: Hackers often leak user info like names and emails. Breach alert services exist to help you stay informed.

Email Address Lists: Your email may be sold (legally or illegally) when you sign up for services. Spammers also buy lists from data breaches or shady sources.

Harvesting Programs: Bots scan the web for email addresses. Posting your email online makes it a target.

Dictionary Attacks: Programs guess email addresses by generating combinations, some of which are valid and used for spam.

Fake Newsletters: Some shady services sell your email. Clicking “unsubscribe” can confirm your address is active to spammers.

After a spammer gets your email address, they feed it to their spamming software (ratware) and then will often use botnets and falsified email addresses to spam you.

Credit : https://www.lifewire.com/how-do-spammers-get-my-email-address-2483607