Junk mail

Junk mail, also known as spam mail, is the unwanted bulk e-mail messages sent on the Internet by bulk mailers users in the form of commercial advertisements. While not a computer itself, junk mail is one of the most common consumer grievances in the context of connected computers, networks, and the Internet.

Junk mail is usually sent in large volumes to unknown or anonymous addresses who have not requested it. These “spam” mails generally contain advertisements and are sent in the hope of making a sale. Some spammers also use sophisticated tactics like harvesting e-mail addresses using automated scripts, which collates lists of addresses for use by bulk mailers.

Junk mail is usually sent from sources not trusted by the recipients, and consequently spam can cause annoyance, waste of resources, and potentially spread malware and cause even stranger side-effects. In some countries, the sending of bulk mail may be strictly regulated or even prohibited, and spammers are known to employ various obfuscation techniques to hide their identities.

The ability to block the sending of junk mail, or even identify its source is made much more difficult when delivered via networks and computer technologies like the Internet. However, certain cyber-security measures may be taken to help protect the recipients from receiving unwanted spam mail.

Measures such as setting up a “whitelist” of approved email sources, or designating a “blacklist” of untrusted sources, can be utilized to prevent spam mail from being delivered to the user’s inbox. Additionally, using spam filters or other software applications can help identify, detect, and eliminate junk mail. Such applications usually involve sophisticated algorithms to identify certain characteristics or data patterns associated with spam mails, and automatically filter and delete them.

Lastly, the use of “challenge-response systems” is another popular technique to help block spam. Such systems require a sender to take certain specified actions such as responding to a challenge message, or answering a question posed by the recipient, in order to verify that they are not a spammer.

In conclusion, junk mail is a nuisance that is commonly encountered when connected to digital and computer technologies. Although not easy to do, certain measures like using challenge-response systems, or setting up a whitelist/blacklist can be taken to help reduce spam.