What Is Electronic Junk Mail?

Electronic junk mail is an unwanted email message.

Just about anybody who uses email deals with electronic junk mail at some time or another. Electronic junk mail is much like physical junk mail but poses a much greater security risk.

Identification

Electronic junk mail, also known as spam, refers to unsolicited messages sent to a user's email inbox.

Fun Fact

The "spam" nickname given to electronic junk mail indeed refers to the trademarked meat product "Spam"--often seen as a low-quality and undesirable product.

Features

Junk mail messages often advertise legitimate products and services, but they can also distribute inappropriate material and even come attached with a computer virus.

Prevention/Solution

The first and best way to prevent junk mail is divulging personal information, such as an email address, only to trusted companies and individuals. Users should never open attachments from unknown senders. Computer security experts also highly recommend antivirus software to remove anything spam might install on a computer.

Misconceptions

Messages and advertisements from individuals and businesses that a person gives her email address to are junk mail but are not classified as spam. Junk mail from reputable companies may annoy users, but its also includes an option to opt out of receiving further emails.

References

• University of Pittsburgh: Spam - Electronic Junk Mail
• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission: Electronic Junk Mail