A large portion of the emails we receive contain offers for business opportunities, advertisements for various services such as penis enlargement, breast enhancements, pornography, and promises of inheritances from wealthy African relatives. Unfortunately, much of this “spam” is designed to hide viruses or other malicious codes within the messages. While there are tools available to help delete spam, some messages still manage to slip through the filters.
On this day in 1978, Gary Thuerk from DEC made history by becoming the first known spammer. Rather than sending separate messages to each recipient, as was the norm at the time, he tasked assistant Carl Gartley with composing one large email that was sent to 393 addresses on the ARPANET. Unsurprisingly, many objections followed in response to this mass email, which was mainly an invitation to attend a presentation on new computer models.
The content of the emails we receive can vary widely, from spam messages offering dubious business opportunities to legitimate information about hobbies and interests. Despite efforts to filter out unwanted messages, some spam emails still manage to slip through and make their way into our inboxes. Spam messages often contain harmful viruses or other malicious codes, so it’s important to remain vigilant and cautious when opening emails from unknown senders.
While spam emails are a nuisance to many internet users, they have a long history dating back to the early days of email communication. In 1978, Gary Thuerk from DEC made headlines as the first known spammer when he sent a mass email to 393 addresses on the ARPANET. This email, which was an invitation to a presentation on new computer models, sparked immediate objections from recipients who were not accustomed to receiving unsolicited mass emails.
As technology has evolved, so too have the tactics used by spammers to circumvent email filters and reach unsuspecting recipients. It’s important for users to remain cautious and skeptical when opening emails from unknown senders, as they may contain harmful content that could compromise the security of their devices. Despite efforts to combat spam, it continues to be a persistent issue for internet users around the world.