Facts about SPAM

Facts about SPAM

Document number: 16188

As SPAM becomes a bigger problem, it is important to learn some facts about SPAM. Understanding these facts will empower a user to better understand the problem and help YOU to minimize SPAM.

Some of the most common questions about SPAM include:

How and Where did the SPAMMERS get my e-mail address?
Why am I receiving messages that don't seem to be addressed to me?

SPAMMERS usually place the addresses of their recipients in the Bcc: or "Blind carbon copy" field of the e-mail message. This field is not visible to the recipient. Therefore, while it appears that the message is actually addressed to someone else, it is actually addressed to you (usually along with thousands of other people).

Why am I receiving messages that look like they were sent by me?

Most SPAMMERS use software that is specifically designed for sending SPAM. Most of this software includes features for playing "tricks" on SPAM filters, mail servers, and the intended recipients. This quite often includes a setting that sets the return address on the e-mail message to be the address of the recipient. In almost all cases, you are the only one who received the message with your address as the return address. (Everyone else who got the message likely received it with their own address as the return address).

A solution is in place to reduce SPAM received by PeopleSoft users. While this solution will help reduce the amount of SPAM received, the user is the best resource for minimizing SPAM.

For additional information, see Eureka! document 16173 — Receiving SPAM mail in Lotus Notes.

How and Where did the SPAMMERS get my e-mail address?

SPAMMERS obtain e-mail addresses in numerous ways:

Many web sites sell information about their users to third parties who in turn use those addresses to send SPAM.
Many web merchants sell their customer information (complete with buying habits and demographic information) to SPAMMERS.
SPAMMERS use software that "harvests" e-mail addresses that are listed on web sites, bulletin boards, and newsgroups.
SPAMMERS often send SPAM by bulk methods, choosing random or common names at a common domain.
Programs are run that collect e-mail addresses out of Usenet posting headers.
Names are culled from subscriber lists (such as AOL's Member Profile list).
Web-crawling programs are used that look for mailto: codes in HTML documents.
On-line "white pages" directories are raided for addresses.
Lists are bought from someone who already has one.
Your address is “taken” from you without your knowledge when you visit their web site.
Host computers are manipulated to find on-line users addresses.
Member names are collected from on-line "chat rooms".

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