Q about spam

OK, I'll admit, I'm almost clueless when it comes to computer stuff, so I have to ask: What is the purpose of spam? I mean, how does sending me hundreds of emails a day for products I don't want and didn't ask for benefit anybody? I know I've gotten on somebody's "list" somehow and don't know how to get off of it. I never open these emails, yet they still keep coming. It makes me want to cry every time I go to my email. I'm about to abandon the account and start fresh. Seriously, what is the purpose of this nonsense?

Message edited 9/7/2007 5:01:46 AM.

Re: Q about spam

There is no purpose. Set your filters to high and then just check your junk box. I've found with hotmail, even making someone a contact, with the filter on high, they still go to junk , so I check it daily, but I don't have to deal with it.

Your other option is to keep this account for garbage stuff, like when you need to log into websites and stuff and then create a totally new, personal one. I did that with gmail. Only family and friends have my gmail account. So much easier.

Re: Q about spam

The purpose is that someone will fall for it and money will be made.

Re: Q about spam

Not only that but a lot of these phishing emails have attachements (can be documents or .zip files) that when opened launch a virus in your system that you might not even know about....could sit there dormant until they turn it on..This can happen by just opening the email as well, no need for downloading...they're very sophisticated nowadays.

Re: Q about spam

I read an article recently that I think about 250,000 people bought something from a spam ad. Since spam is essentially free for the sender, as long as there are that many people buying stuff, it's definitely worth their effort to continue.....