A Brief History of Spam

In the early days of the Internet, spammers primarily targeted newsgroups on USENET, the online conferencing system. These are newsgroups that are organized as forums to discuss particular topics. As electronic messaging systems advanced, it made possible the practice of crossposting - posting the exact same message to multiple newsgroups and other online forums.

Spammers were quick to adopt crossposting as a tool of their trade. Now, they could send the same electronic message to thousands of newsgroup members at the one time. Not only could they target a larger audience with one posting, but they also did not have to differentiate between the interests and focus of the individual forums that they targeted. What's more it cost them next to nothing to spam these newsgroups.

As email became an increasingly widespread mode of communication, the spammers shifted their focus the massive audience that it made available to them. Mass emailing software soon became another essential tool of their trade, as they begun to use this application to send junk email to thousands upon thousands of unwilling recipients.

The spam industry also adapted the available Internet technology to create the "spambot". A spambot is an automated program that will rove the Internet, "harvesting" email addresses from newsgroup postings and from other websites. It literally gathers thousands of email addresses in a single hour. These are compiled into bulk mailing lists with which the spammers can thousands of victims at a time.

The practice of sending out unsolicited, unwanted junk email and junk postings came to be called "spam." The term is commonly believed to have been derived from a British comedy skit by Monty Python, in which a restaurant serves each meal with a side of spam. As a waitress emphasizes to a couple the availability of spam with every dish, a group of Viking patrons break out in song, singing "SPAM, SPAM, SPAM... lovely SPAM! wonderful SPAM!" in a loud chorus. In the 80's, the term was adopted to refer to the junk emails and postings, and the name stuck.

The earliest, most widely known incident of commercial spamming dates back to 1994. It involved two lawyers who spammed USENET to advertise their services as immigration lawyers. They later expanded their marketing efforts to include email spam. The incident is commonly referred to as the "Green Card Spam."

This nefarious industry has since grown in leaps and bounds. Today, more than half of the trillion-plus emails that are sent and received are spam. Initially, spam was generally advertising-related email. In more recent years, however, a particularly nasty crop of spammers has emerged, who send out their spam with nothing less than malicious and/or criminal intent. Some send out spam that contains viruses or malicious code. Others devise scams intended to defraud you of your money. And then there are those whose focus is identity theft.

Benign or malicious, commercial or criminal - spam has transformed the way we communicate electronically, and will continue to do so well into the near future and very likely beyond. Spam has become a regular, albeit unwanted, fact of online life.

Comments

I think the introducation of the driver tracker was a great idea: during the Silverstone GP it was interesting to watch Vettel lagging behind the others

christian louboutin - By christian louboutin - Homepage
15^th May 2011 - 11:08pm

The radio interviewee and the user of the word ‘bandwagon are pretty much from the same mould, and the ‘mouldis, it increasingly seems, blatantly defective.

giuseppe zanotti shoes - By giuseppe zanotti shoes - Homepage
22^nd May 2011 - 11:22pm

I think she picked up on something. Maybe Atlas Shrugged is a different ball game. I look forward to her analysis...

Cheap NBA Jerseys - By Cheap NBA Jerseys - Homepage
23^rd June 2011 - 7:33pm

I would be gobsmacked to find out that NewsCorp operated a strict code of conduct in one newsroom and not the other.

Bvlgari Watches - By Bvlgari Watches - Homepage
11^th July 2011 - 12:07am

It'd be great if you could write a bit about how you've managed to restore and reformat the data.

replica panerai watches - By replica panerai watches - Homepage
12^th July 2011 - 7:25pm

Not all operating sneakers are alike, that is why we have used the time to concentrate on the solo in particular. This write-up is for the most part a short evaluation using the Nike air max 95. We will clarify the pros and cons and what people nowadays have to anticipate from this amazing sneaker. Once you try on the pair and positioned on the nike air max Tailwind 2009, you will undoubtedly recognize that this could be the right operating shoe for you.

By air max 95 - Homepage
11^th August 2011 - 2:54am

Our site offers a wide range of replica handbags in style, high quality leather and special design, especially prepared forwomen with good taste and elegance.

replica handbags, replica handbags uk, designer fake handbags - By replica handbags - Homepage
15^th December 2011 - 1:51am

Rolex replica watches offer you the entire collection with exact look and same functions like water resistance, scratch resistance face, different colors and sizes. These watches give you the same feel of luxury watch and at the same time charge a minimum amount from your income. Rplex replica watches are the ideal imitations of branded watches as they work for long time and truly worth your money. These watches are very beautiful that add an extra ordinary look and charm to your overall personality.

rolex replica watches - By rolex replica watches - Homepage
29^th December 2011 - 12:04am

mobilia da sala de jantar

mobilia da sala de jantar - By mobilia da sala de jantar - Homepage
28^th March 2012 - 3:40pm

Hi... I read your post and I want to say that it is very good and informative. I like it and I appreciate you for your effort.Thanks..
http://www.coachoutleteonlinee.com

By Coach Outlet - Homepage
28^th March 2012 - 5:50pm

Neuve pas chere tn requin Spider basket hommes noire Livraison Rapideachat chaussure timberland,chaussures timberland discount

tn requins nike - By nike tn camlon - Homepage
28^th March 2012 - 11:37pm

The current trend in youth is the use of the Internet for online social networks and their shows through the creation of personal blogs.
http://www.coachfactoryoutletv.com

Coach Factory Outlet - By Coach Factory Outlet - Homepage
29^th March 2012 - 7:20pm

I'm a great lover of art but galleries and museums are most certainly not the new churches. Can you imagine the Tate Modern setting up soup kitchens for the homeless?
http://www.coachhandbagoutletonline.com

Coach Outlet - By Coach Outlet - Homepage
1^st April 2012 - 10:33pm

Fans of the brand also enjoy expressing themselves through tattooed clothing instead of having to tattoo their bodies. For women the brand offers a tough but feminine look, while men appreciate its edgy rock star appeal.
http://www.coachfactoryoutletr.com

Coach Factory Outlet - By Coach Factory Outlet - Homepage
7^th April 2012 - 12:49am

Thank you very much.I like this site.

Coach Clearance - By Coach Clearance - Homepage
7^th April 2012 - 2:53am

folding kick scooter

folding kick scooter - By folding kick scooter - Homepage
8^th April 2012 - 9:38am

Thank you very much.I like this site.

Coach Outlet Canada - By Coach Outlet Canada - Homepage
9^th April 2012 - 2:00am

Thank you very much.I like this site.

Coach Factory Outlet - By Coach Factory Outlet - Homepage
12^th April 2012 - 2:45am

Thank you very much.I like this site.

Coach Factory Outlet - By Coach Factory Outlet - Homepage
12^th April 2012 - 2:56am

The current trend in youth is the use of the Internet for online social networks and their shows through the creation of personal blogs.
http://www.newcoachhandbags2u.com

By Coach handbags outlet - Homepage
13^th April 2012 - 7:53pm

If you want to know about shoes fashion in nowaday, you have to watching Christian Louboutin Shoes and Christian Louboutin Heels,why am I say that,that is because Christian Louboutin Pumps is the most famous pumps in the world,the design and the meterial is choosen by famous designer,and the style of christian is never lost, it must leading the trend.Shopping on the internet, our site now make the Christian Louboutin On Sale;Otherwise, the winter is gone, you need go out and have party and pacnic, maybe Coach Outlet is your best choice,the Coach Handags in USA is very popular,every young lady following it,in our site Cheap Coach 2012 have all kinds of the latest coach bags, Coach Sales all you want to buy, Coach Outlet Usa,we are waitting for you.Find Coach Outlet on the internet,Coach Outlet Online provide all kinds of coach handbags,Coach Outlet Store Online is the most popular site in USA, that is because you needn't get out and shopping buy your little foot, Coach Outlet Online Store will help you find all bags you want and just stay before your computer.Cheap Prada is what you need right now, Prada Shoesinclude Prada Women Shoes and Mens Prada Shoes,the shoes is brillient and stylish for every aged people, Prada Handbags is always challenge the world highest qulity,meterial,design and the price.So buy prada on Prada Outlet you will find the world most beautiful thing.French famous brand Louis Vuitton Outlet aimed at design the most suitible handbags for noble,the price is expensive and the barnd is the richest brand in this world,surfing on Louis Vuitton Outlet Online you will find the bags and acceceries is beautiful and cheaper then any where you buy in world,so shopping the Louis Vuitton Outlet Store now!

Fulfilling our needs for fast fashion means increased production and competition in clothing manufactured in countries with fashion trend.In order to meet the market's demands,Coach Outlet Store Online pay more attention on the fashion style with the latest material.In terms of luxury consumption, consumers in Western countries prefer traditional brands while consumers are wilder about the fashionable fad.In Coach Outlet there are many famous bags of the Coach Outlet Online.In USA,at least,each of the person have a Coach bags on the average.So,in the Amercian market,Coach bags get the people favourate.On that basic,manufacture take the chance to make the price very on the high side.Today,Coach Handbags Outlet USA do atmost to drop the price,with the same quality.In order to thanks for the public,Coach give a biggest discount to Forengn for the fastival.If U bag bags over $99,Coach Outlet Store Online can send the goods to Ur home without the fright.At the same time,the goods of coach bags can have a discount at 82% to meet the market's needs.So don't worry,Coach Outlet Online Store can give U the chance to owned your remembered bags with very lowest price.At the same time,Coach Outlet Store Online newly iaunched the latest fad bags which canused a ensation in the fashion world for U to make up in the winter.Is your heat moving very fast,quick, first come first get.More and More chance are waiting for U.

Coach Outlet Online and Coach Outlet Online Store offer you chance to purchase your ideal articles. Here login Coach Outlet Online or Coach Outlet to purchase your favourites, such as Coach Cristin Bags, Coach Crossbody bags.They are renowned for exquisite workmanship, skillful knitting and elegant design and sell very well both at home and abroad. In order to convenient our customers, we also offer you other platforms. They are Coach Outlet Online,Coach Outlet Online Store and Coach Factory Outlet. We not only provide you the superior goods but offer you the best after-sales serives. So, please login Coach Outlet Online.

By 5rf54f
14^th April 2012 - 5:56pm

By rtgg
14^th April 2012 - 6:02pm

bottes tendance hiver 2011,nike neige chaussures,bottes ugg soldesauthentique 2010 Nike shox nz pas chere taille 41 42 43 44 45 46

nike tn prix discount - By nike air max uk - Homepage
2^nd May 2012 - 11:28pm

Evening dresses [url=http://www.advanceddress.com/]white evening[/url] Shopping online [url=http://www.advanceddress.com/dresses-party_dresses-clothes.html]Party dress[/url] Vintage clothing [url=http://www.advanceddress.com/dresses-evening_dresses-clothes.html]Evening dresses[/url] Designer dresses [url=http://www.advanceddress.com/dresses-evening_dresses-gowns-clothes.html]evening gown[/url] Clothing shops [url=http://www.advanceddress.com/dresses-evening_dresses-strap_dresses-clothes.html]Strap Dress[/url] Clothes mod.

aasss - By abv - Homepage
11^th May 2012 - 11:45pm

My Articles

How Does A Spam Blocker Work?
Spam -What Is Your Protection Under The Law?
Whitelists - The Ultimate In Spam Protection
Top 5 Myths About Phishing
How To Choose Anti-spam Filter Software
What Is The Harm With Spam?
Anti-phishing Software
Phishing-101
The Costs Of Spam
Understanding Spam
Top Ten Tricks Of The Spammer
Top 5 Techniques To Protect Yourself From Spam
5 Tips To Protect Yourself From The Spam In Your Inbox
The What, Who, Where And Why Of Spam
Popular Email Scams On The Internet Today
The Next Generation Of Spam: Image And PDF Spam
Protect Your Kids From Spam
How Spammers Get Your Email Address
Top Anti-Spam Filter Reviews
What Can An Anti-spam Firewall Do For You?
How To Report Spam Abuse
Don't Fall For The Phisher's Bait
Spam Protection - Know Thy Enemy: Viruses And Malware, Trojans And Adware

My Articles

Spam Protection - Know Thy Enemy: Viruses And Malware, Trojans And Adware It has become increasingly common for spam to contain malicious programs or..

Anti-phishing Software The threats posed by spam are always evolving, and phishing is one of the..

5 Tips To Protect Yourself From The Spam In Your Inbox You will inevitably receive some spam in your inbox - there is no getting..

The Costs Of Spam The volume of spam that is sent out every minute of the day has..

Related Videos:

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

Related News:

How to fight off aggravating cellphone spam - HeraldNet

How to fight off aggravating cellphone spam
HeraldNet
Text spamming is illegal under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The Federal Trade Commission is fighting some of the most egregious text spammers in the courts, and the major mobile carriers are investing in spam-fighting technology.

and more »

GFI Software Combines Antivirus and Anti-Spam Protection in GFI MailEssentials ... - MarketWatch (press release)

GFI Software Combines Antivirus and Anti-Spam Protection in GFI MailEssentials ...
MarketWatch (press release)
The solution features robust anti-spam functionality, now combined with up to five virus detection engines, including the award-winning GFI VIPRE® antivirus, to give SMBs comprehensive protection against phishing, spam and virus-carrying emails.

and more »

A Brief History of Spam

Comments

Menu

My Articles