Spam Kings, hardcover edition

Glossary

Glossary

Affiliate

A spammer who sends junk email on behalf of a sponsor, usually on a commission basis.

AIM (AOL Instant Messenger)

A free computer program published by AOL that allows users to communicate instantly through text messages to other AIM users.

Anti

Short for anti-spammer. A term used by spammers to refer to people who fight junk email.

AUP (acceptable use policy)

A collection of rules set by an Internet service provider that restrict how customers may use the service. For example, many AUPs expressly prohibit users from sending spam.

Blackhole list

A list used to filter spam or cut off traffic to spam sites. Typically, such lists contain a collection of Internet protocol (IP) addresses or domains used by spammers.

Blacklist

See Blackhole list.

Blog

An online journal of short web postings, usually posted in reverse chronological order (most recent item first).

Brute-force attack

In spamming, a computerized attempt to deliver an email ad that involves randomly constructing possible valid addresses. For example, a brute-force attack might begin by sending spam to [e-mail] and then try [e-mail], etc. (See also Dictionary attack.)

Bulker

Used by spammers to refer to people who send spam.

Bulletproof hosting

A web server that stays accessible for long periods of time and is relatively immune to complaints from anti-spammers.

Caller ID

A telephone feature that displays the name and/or number of the calling party when an incoming call is received.

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