spam and not the kind you cook with...lol

Starbrazer · Jul 9, 2006

I know this might sound like a stupid question, but what exactly is spam? I have a hunch that it's advertisement, but I'm not entirely sure, and if a member of AW posts it are they banned from this site?

Cath · Jul 9, 2006

Not stupid at all.

This is a pretty comprehensive explanation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_(electronic)

I can't help with the second part of the question, I'm afraid.

Starbrazer · Jul 9, 2006

Is the Spammer a real person or a Computer?

Okay, thanks for the definition Cath, I think I get it, but I am still confused on one part. Is the spammer an actual member of AW or is this a computer generated member that does not exist? Sorry if this question makes no sense; I guess I'm getting too deep for my own good here. Just curious though as usual. It's the same reason why I am a writer, curiosity. If it does in fact kill the cat it will kill me. lol!

Aconite · Jul 9, 2006

Some spamming programs register as members on boards to post their crap. Some real people post spam, too. And yes, spamming is a bannable offense on AW.

Puma · Jul 10, 2006

Aren't there also nasty spam type programs that invade your computer and then send out spam from you that you don't know about? Puma

Forbidden Snowflake · Jul 10, 2006

Yes, but those are Trojans, they come with something you download and install, and install themselves next to it and then start doing all kind of things with your computer. Sending out data, or mass mails or whatever.

Also a virus can do that, that comes with an attachment, you open it and dang, it sends.

Aconite · Jul 10, 2006

A trojan (from Trojan Horse) is a disguise for a virus, or a type of virus that comes disguised with something else.

awatkins · Jul 10, 2006

argenianpoet said:
Okay, thanks for the definition Cath, I think I get it, but I am still confused on one part. Is the spammer an actual member of AW or is this a computer generated member that does not exist? Sorry if this question makes no sense; I guess I'm getting too deep for my own good here. Just curious though as usual. It's the same reason why I am a writer, curiosity. If it does in fact kill the cat it will kill me. lol!

Perhaps I've missed something...are you receiving spam from someone who appears to be a member here? Or are you referring to the deleted spam messages?

Starbrazer · Jul 10, 2006

awatkins said:
Perhaps I've missed something...are you receiving spam from someone who appears to be a member here? Or are you referring to the deleted spam messages?

Deleted spam messages.

JennaGlatzer · Jul 10, 2006

Aha. Yes, those are posts from people who write the same sort of junk you might get in e-mail:

Get Viagra here!
Make money fast!
Tell us your credit card number or we'll cancel your account!
etc.

They sign up to forums sometimes hoping that people will click on their ads. They're not here to be part of the community.

Starbrazer · Jul 10, 2006

JennaGlatzer said:
Aha. Yes, those are posts from people who write the same sort of junk you might get in e-mail:

Get Viagra here!
Make money fast!
Tell us your credit card number or we'll cancel your account!
etc.

They sign up to forums sometimes hoping that people will click on their ads. They're not here to be part of the community.

Okay, now I get it. So they are not wannabe writers, but frauds. I noticed, since I have been here, that several threads have been deleted; reason being that they were spam, and I was just curious since I had never gotten a real good idea of what spam was, why it was here of all places. My instinct (which is mostly right) told me that it was advertisement and now I see it for what it really is. Thank you Jenna for the examples.

spam and not the kind you cook with...lol

Starbrazer

Cath

The mean one

Starbrazer

Aconite

Puma

Retired and loving it!

Forbidden Snowflake

I'm quite put out.

Aconite

awatkins

Not harboring illegal parrot

Starbrazer

JennaGlatzer

wishes you happiness

Starbrazer