Title: Managing spam: a global challenge

Authors: Adnan Omar, M. Khurrum S. Bhutta, Gwenola Lepeu

Addresses: Computer Information Systems, Southern University at New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70126, USA. ' Department of Management Systems, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701, USA. ' Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, Louisiana 70310, USA

Abstract: Unsolicited commercial e-mail, or spam, is an ever-growing problem in today|s increasingly digital world. Spam comprises an amazing 40% of all internet e-mails with an annual cost in excess of $30 million. With little cost and effort, one can send several thousand unsolicited messages in less than an hour. The result is not only slower internet traffic but also an unjust, costly, counterproductive and time-consuming burden on the receiver. Several attempts have been made to limit spamming and its deleterious impacts. Such efforts vary in their effectiveness and include managing and regulating e-mail traffic, employing filters, avoiding |junk| e-mail lists and becoming increasingly aware of the ploys senders use to obtain e-mail addresses. This paper will discuss the problem of unsolicited bulk messaging, its magnitude and consequences, as well as potential solutions.

Keywords: spam management; internet filtering; legislation; unsolicited emails; regulation; junk email; bulk messaging.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMP.2009.026964

International Journal of Management Practice, 2009 Vol.3 No.4, pp.405 - 416

Published online: 11 Jul 2009 *

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