"Spam FAQ" from Brandywine, Maryland

"Spam" Internet Tip

"Spam" is an unsolicited email message or "junk mail". It doesn't have to be sent by a business to be considered spam. Even non-profit organizations and religious organizations or individuals can send messages that are "selling" or promoting something. Generally the message is not sent directly to you, so the "To" header is often someone you don't know or the same name as the sender or no name at all since your address is in the "BCC" (blind carbon copy) header along with many others. They are occasionally sent to you as an individual, though, and I would still consider them "spam" if there is no personal content in the message. Some spam messages are offensive, too.

Business need to exist, though, and many of them you may want to exist since they can provide you with good products and/or services. What would be a good way for them to let you know about their business? Not all people agree with what is acceptable. Some people think it's acceptable to use the postal system with "hard copy" mail but the internet makes it too easy, though most people also do not like that kind of "junk mail" either. How about a message that's sent to you personally that seems to have personal content to tell you about a product or service that might interest you due to your special interests? I feel the latter might be acceptable. I also know that they'll soon have computer programs that will be able to identify individuals and their interests and be able to write messages that appear personal. Go back to our Email Problems FAQ.

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