Perception Is Reality

The following is a paper I wrote on spam for an assignment. Please take a look.

A 2004 report from the firm Message Labs estimated that spam accounted for 80 percent of international email traffic, 10 percent higher than 2000 (Task Force On Spam, 2005). While there is no fixed definition, nor agreed-upon date of the birth of spam, it is agreed widely (as will be demonstrated) that spam is a serious problem causing heavy financial loss and decreased productivity (Boone-Lutz, 2007). Spam intrudes privacy of individual users and companies allowing for potential theft of information considered private under various Bills and Acts in different countries. While work is being done at all levels to combat the problem of spam, it is not sufficient. As spam continues to increase in its proliferation and damage, these efforts need to be stepped up equally. Jamie De Guerre, in an interview with Internetnews.com stated that “attackers are [growing] increasingly advanced and the current security model can’t keep up.” (Scannell, 2006). In this paper I will attempt to define spam and discuss its origin. I will then move on to its categorization, followed by both technological measures and government initiatives to fight spam. I will then discuss if these measures are sufficient and if not, what further needs to be done.

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