Most people can identify spam — in the context of computers — as unwanted Internet content, but spam differs by medium. Basically, users can recognize spam when they see it. If it’s disruptive and annoying, it’s spam. But there’s also dangerous spam and spam you’ve permitted. The following bullets will describe various categories of spam.
- Email spam: Why am I receiving emails about penis enlargement? It’s a common question for users with email spam issues. In other terms, it’s junk mail or unsolicited commercial email. Companies can get your email address from just about anywhere, and they send you and as many other people they can gather as much spam as they want. You can become a recipient on a mailing list without your knowledge or approval. Sometimes spam isn’t even sent by companies. There are networks called “zombie networks” that send spam email all by themselves. In other words, you can become a spammer without knowing it. You’re sent spam email with spyware on it and your computer becomes a zombie network and spawns more spam.
- Instant message spam: Although it’s died down some since AOL’s market share has decreased, instant message spam is still prevalent on programs such as Skype. Fake users will send you scams through instant messaging systems.
- Message board spam: This type of spam is highly noticeable, especially for hardcore forum users. Forum spam almost always appears to be an advertisement and is performed by automatic “spambots.” The spam will usually include a link to a website looking for web hits to boost its position on search engines.
- Cell phone spam: Telemarketers could be considered a form of spam, but text-messaging spam is also becoming more common.
- Video spam: Sites like YouTube are vulnerable to video spamming. The spamming usually occurs in the section of the site allowing for comments. Spambots will post links to other sites. These sites are usually pay sites looking to scam visitors.
- Search engine spam: Websites can alter their search engine ranking by engineering new algorithms. These fake algorithms make the website look legitimate and popular.