Spammer: What is it? Types and current trends

A spammer is an individual or entity that sends unsolicited messages in large quantities, commonly through email, although it can also be through other digital media such as instant messaging, social media, or online forums.

This term generally has a negative connotation because spam messages are usually irrelevant or inappropriate for the recipients, and are often used for purposes of unwanted advertising, phishing, or malware distribution.

How do spammers operate?

Spammers use different techniques to send these messages, such as the use of bots, infected computer networks (known as botnets), or the exploitation of vulnerabilities in email software.

The activity of spammers is regulated by laws in many countries, as it can be detrimental both to individual users (potentially resulting in lost time, distraction, or even computer or financial damage) and to the overall functioning of online communication systems.

Despite this, spam remains a significant problem in the digital realm.

The relationship between spammers and email marketing

Although spammers and email marketing campaigns may use similar means, such as sending mass emails, there are fundamental differences between the two concepts that have to do with consent, relevance, targeting and delivery practices.

• Consent: A legitimate email marketing campaign can only be sent to users who have given their consent to receive such messages, often through a process called “opt-in”. Spammers, on the other hand, send unsolicited messages to recipients who have not given their permission.
• Relevance and Targeting: Email marketing campaigns seek to provide value to the recipient through relevant content or promotions, while spammers often send irrelevant, unwanted or inappropriate messages for personal gain, without considering the recipient’s interest or benefit.
• Deliverability Practices: Email marketers follow best practices to ensure the deliverability of their messages, including complying with anti-spam laws, using clear and honest subject lines, and providing an option for recipients to unsubscribe. Spammers, on the other hand, use deceptive techniques to circumvent spam filters and often don’t provide an easy option to stop receiving messages.

It is important to note that improper use of email marketing campaigns, such as sending messages to users who have not given their consent, can cross the line into spam.

This can not only damage the company’s reputation, but can also lead to legal sanctions in many countries.

Therefore, it is essential to follow best practices and relevant laws in email marketing campaigns.

Types of spammers

In the digital world, the term “spam” has acquired a negative connotation due to its association with unsolicited delivery of bulk messages.

While spam by email is perhaps the most well-known form of this problem, spam has evolved and diversified in line with advances in technology and communication.

It now manifests itself in various forms, all of them annoying Internet users in one way or another, and some even putting computer security at risk.

We will explore below some of the most common and damaging types of spam found in cyberspace today.

• Email Spammer: This is the most commonly recognized type of spam. It consists of the mass sending of unsolicited emails, generally for advertising purposes, although it can also be used for more malicious purposes such as phishing or malware distribution.
• Social MediaSpammer: This type of spam occurs when users or bots post unwanted or irrelevant content on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. This kind of spam can take the form of mass postings, unsolicited private messages, tagging in irrelevant photos, or creating fake accounts that follow and message legitimate users.
• Instant Messaging Spammer: Also known as “spim,” this type of spam is sent via instant messaging services like WhatsApp, Telegram, or even direct messages on social networks. Like spam by email, spim can be used for unwanted advertising, phishing, or malware distribution.
• Blog Spammer (Irrelevant Comments): This type of spam happens when users or bots post irrelevant comments or links on blogs or online forums to increase the visibility of a website or product, or to improve a website’s ranking in search results.
• Search Engine Spammer (Search Result Manipulation): Also known as spamdexing or SEO spam, this type of spam involves manipulating search engines to increase a website’s visibility in search results. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as keyword stuffing, the creation of doorway pages, or the use of link farms.

Each type of spam has its own methods of prevention and control, and the effectiveness of these measures can vary.

In general, it is essential that users and businesses are informed and use safe tools and practices to protect themselves from spam.

The Evolution of Spammers: Adapting in the Digital Age

Spam, like many other practices in the digital world, is not static, but has undergone a remarkable evolution over the past few decades.

As technology and security measures continue to advance, spammers also adapt their tactics to stay one step ahead.

• The early days of spammers: The first recorded spam message was sent in 1978 via ARPANET, a precursor to the Internet, but spam as we know it today didn’t become a widespread problem until the 1990s with the popularization of email. In this early period, spam was mainly used for mass, unsolicited advertising, and the techniques were fairly rudimentary.
• The rise of spam: With the advent of the new millennium and the proliferation of Internet connectivity, spam began to diversify and increase in volume. Spammers began to use more sophisticated techniques, such as spoofing (forging the sender’s address), to circumvent security measures and deceive recipients. During this period, we also saw the rise of phishing and the distribution of malware through spam.
• Spammers in the social media age: As social media platforms became more popular, spammers adapted once again, using these platforms to spread spam through unwanted posts and messages. Modern social media spam techniques can include creating fake accounts, sending mass friend or follower requests, and posting unwanted links or promotional content.
• Spammers and Artificial Intelligence techniques: More recently, spammers have started using artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to improve the effectiveness of their spam campaigns. This can include the use of automated chat bots, personalization of spam messages based on data collected, and the use of algorithms to bypass spam filters.

Throughout this evolution, one thing has remained constant: the arms race between spammers and those seeking to prevent and control spam.

As new technologies and security measures are developed, spammers adapt and look for new ways to spread their unwanted messages.

This underscores the importance of a multi-faceted and constantly evolving approach to combating spam, including technology, education and legislation.