Spam mail has its origins in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the first unsolicited, mass-mailed advertisements started appearing in people’s inboxes. The term “spam” is believed to have originated from a Monty Python skit in which a group of Vikings would sing the same line of a song over and over again. The term was later applied to unwanted emails that were sent in bulk and were repeated often.

Since then, spam mail has become an increasingly pervasive problem. As the internet became more widespread and email addresses became more widespread and accessible, spammers found more and more opportunities to send out their unsolicited messages. As spam mail became more prevalent, countries and organizations began to take steps to combat it.

Today, spam mail accounts for an estimated 95% of all emails sent around the world. Although many organizations have implemented measures to reduce the amount of spam received, the problem remains a major issue for users of the internet.

What are effective ways to combat spam?

1. Use an Anti-Spam Filter: Most email providers or programs offer anti-spam filters that can be configured to block unwanted emails, or at least send them to a separate folder.

2. Don’t Reply or Click Links: Replying to spam emails or clicking on links in spam emails can confirm that your email address is active, making you even more likely to receive future spam emails.

3. Report Spam: Most email providers or programs allow you to report spam emails. By doing so, you help to alert the email provider or program to potential spam threats.

4. Use a Disposable Email Address: A disposable email address is a single-use email address that can be used when signing up for online services or websites.

5. Keep Your Email Address Private: Don’t share your email address with anyone you don’t know and trust. If you receive an email from someone you don’t know, don’t reveal your email address in your response.