Frequently Answered Questions (FAQ)

Questions regarding spam, and the tools used to combat it, that are commonly asked are being collected here.  The intention is to provide a helpful resource that, over time, may be grouped into categories.

1. When was the first spam sent?  Who sent it?
2. Is "SPAM" an acronym?
3. What are the Rules of Spam?
4. What is the meaning of the F.A.Q. acronym?

 
Answered questions

1. When was the first spam sent?  Who sent it?

The first known junk eMail message was sent in 1978 by a marketing manager at DEC (Digital Equipment Corp.) named Gary Thuerk.  After many complaints, a military agency intervened and barred Mr. Thuerk from ever doing it again.  The complete details are documented at:  http://www.lumbercartel.ca/glossary/spam.pl#history

2. Is "SPAM" an acronym?

No.  "SPAM" is the name of a delicious meat product by Hormel Foods.  Hormel Foods allows the use of their Registered Trademark "SPAM" to be used to describe junk eMail under the condition that it is not used in full upper-case letters.  The complete details are documented at:  http://www.lumbercartel.ca/glossary/spam.pl

3. What are the Rules of Spam?

A set of logical rules, which are routinely referenced by spam-fighters, that accurately characterize spammers.  The rules, with a reference to the original source, are documented at:  http://www.lumbercartel.ca/glossary/rulesofspam.pl

4. What is the meaning of the F.A.Q. acronym?

F.A.Q. is an acronym for Frequently Answered Questions.  Although many people subtitute the word "Answered" for "Asked," we believe that "Answered" correctly reflects the original intended purpose of these lists because the answers are included.

Copyright © Inter-Corporate Computer & Network Services, Inc.  All rights reserved.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.