Spamming [I1] [I2] [I3] [F1] [F2] [F3] [F4] [F5] [S1] [S2] [S3] [E1] [E2] [E3] [E4] is the action of sending big quantities of unwanted messages (usually advertisement). It can be done using different media but the most used is Internet, through e-mails.
The main aim of spamming is to spread advertisement to sell general products, illegal and/or pornographic material, such as software or medicines up to real attempts at fraud. A spammer (the person who writes spams) sends the same message (or slightly personalized) to thousands of e-mail addresses. These addresses are often collected automatically by the net (articles of Usenet or web pages) using Spambot and other programmes obtained from database or simply guessed by using common name lists.
The spam is sent without the authorization of the addressee and it is a behaviour widely unacceptable for the Internet Service Provider (ISP) and for the majority f Internet users. Users may find it irritating because of the content, while ISP oppose them because of the costs of the traffic generated by the sending.
Surveys say that spam is considered on of the main bothers of Internet. Those messages represent the breach of the contract "Acceptable Use Policy" of many ISP and can lead to interrupting the subscription (the account) of the sender.
A big number of spammer sends messages with personal false information (names, addresses, telephone numbers) only to find available accounts on the different ISP. To do this they use false or stolen private information to reduce their costs. This allows them to move quickly from an account to another as soon as it recognised and disactivated by ISP. Spammers use a software created to observe low security internet connections. Once identified they use them to put spam messages that can be easily diverted so to put spam messages directly in the objective connection with its own ISP. This makes easier to identify the position of the spammer and the ISP of the victim is often subject to “retaliation” from those who try to stop the spammer. Both these two forms of hidden spamming are illegal, however they are seldom punished for the use of these tactics.
Spamming is considered an offence in different countries and in Italy you can get a fine for sending unwanted messages.
