Changes

==In internet culture==

==In internet culture==

'''Spam''' has acquired a completely different meaning in internet culture, as electronic junk mail or junk newsgroup postings, and other interactive forums. There is some debate about the source of the term, but the generally accepted version is that in the days of internet bulletin boards, unscrupulous users would create post after post of "SPAM SPAM" etc. in order to push other people's topics off the bottom of the board before posting their own unsolicited advertising message. The term "SPAM" was used due to the popularity of a particular episode of [[Monty Python|Monty Python's Flying Circus]], set in a café, which served dishes such as "Egg, spam, chips, spam, beans and spam", and which ended with a song which went: "Spam spam spam spam, spam spam spam spam, lovely spam, wonderful spam…"  Like the song, spam is an endless repetition of worthless text.  

'''Spam''' has acquired a completely different meaning in internet culture, as electronic junk mail or junk newsgroup postings, and other interactive forums. There is some debate about the source of the term, but the generally accepted version is that in the days of internet bulletin boards, unscrupulous users would create post after post of "SPAM SPAM" etc. in order to push other people's topics off the bottom of the board before posting their own unsolicited advertising message. The term "SPAM" was used due to the popularity of a particular episode of [[Monty Python|Monty Python's Flying Circus]], set in a caf&#233;, which served dishes such as "Egg, spam, chips, spam, beans and spam", and which ended with a song which went: "Spam spam spam spam, spam spam spam spam, lovely spam, wonderful spam…"  Like the song, spam is an endless repetition of worthless text.<ref>[http://www.cybernothing.org/faqs/net-abuse-faq.html#2.1 The Net Abuse FAQ. 2.1 What is Spam?]</ref>

<ref>[http://www.cybernothing.org/faqs/net-abuse-faq.html#2.1 The Net Abuse FAQ. 2.1 What is Spam?]</ref>

Another school of thought maintains that it comes from the computer group lab at the University of Southern California who gave it the name because it has many of the same characteristics as the luncheon meat Spam:<ref>[http://spam.abuse.net/overview/whatisspam.shtml What is spam?]</ref>

Another school of thought maintains that it comes from the computer group lab at the University of Southern California who gave it the name because it has many of the same characteristics as the luncheon meat Spam:<ref>[http://spam.abuse.net/overview/whatisspam.shtml What is spam?]</ref>

In video games and on internet discussion boards, '''spamming''' refers to repeatedly using one technique or move.

In video games and on internet discussion boards, '''spamming''' refers to repeatedly using one technique or move.

A "spam" posting on a wiki may include misleading text disguised as educational information, sometimes accompanied by a link to a controversial or [[clickbait]] website which is selling something; it is often used an attempt at free advertising.   

"Spam" postings on a wiki may include misleading page titles or text disguised as educational information, sometimes accompanied by a link to a controversial or [[clickbait]] website which is selling something; it is often used as an attempt at free advertising.   

There are laws in many nations prohibiting or restricting the production of email spam. In the United States, for example, spammers are supposed to adhere to restrictions under the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003<ref>http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/ecommerce/bus61.shtm</ref> as well as any relevant state laws.<ref>http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/CB94AA46D5A0974985256EBB006D2E21?OpenDocument</ref> However, many spam operations are part of [[organized crime]] involving otherwise illegal activities such as illegal sale of [[prescription]] medications,<ref>http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ProtectYourSelf/default.htm</ref> counterfeit products,<ref>http://www.malwarecity.com/blog/the-spam-omelette-45-on-replica-watches-and-counterfeit-software-623.html</ref> [[online gambling]],<ref>http://forum.spamcop.net/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t2287.html</ref> [[phishing]] scams,<ref>http://www.millersmiles.co.uk</ref> and [[malware]].<ref>http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/storm.asp</ref> Many spam messages are produced by botnets consisting of infected machines around world.<ref>http://www.senderbase.org</ref>

There are laws in many nations prohibiting or restricting the production of email spam. In the United States, for example, spammers are supposed to adhere to restrictions under the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003<ref>http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/ecommerce/bus61.shtm</ref> as well as any relevant state laws.<ref>http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/CB94AA46D5A0974985256EBB006D2E21?OpenDocument</ref> However, many spam operations are part of [[organized crime]] involving otherwise illegal activities such as illegal sale of [[prescription]] medications,<ref>http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ProtectYourSelf/default.htm</ref> counterfeit products,<ref>http://www.malwarecity.com/blog/the-spam-omelette-45-on-replica-watches-and-counterfeit-software-623.html</ref> [[online gambling]],<ref>http://forum.spamcop.net/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t2287.html</ref> [[phishing]] scams,<ref>http://www.millersmiles.co.uk</ref> and [[malware]].<ref>http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/storm.asp</ref> Many spam messages are produced by botnets consisting of infected machines around world.<ref>http://www.senderbase.org</ref>