Unsolicited commercial messages sent through e-mail are known as: 

The correct answer is Spams.

Key Points

• Spam refers to unsolicited commercial messages sent over the internet, typically to a large number of users, for the purposes of advertising, phishing, spreading malware, etc.
• These messages are often sent via email but can also appear in other forms like instant messages, social media posts, and comments.
• Spam emails typically come from botnets and compromised accounts, making it difficult to track and stop the senders.
• Many email services provide spam filters to automatically detect and move spam messages to a separate folder to protect users from potential threats.
• The term "spam" is derived from a Monty Python sketch, where the name of the canned meat product "Spam" is endlessly repeated, signifying the repetitive and disruptive nature of spam messages.

Additional Information

• Phishing
  • Phishing is a type of cyber attack where attackers disguise themselves as a trustworthy entity to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details.
  • Common methods include fraudulent emails, websites, and text messages that mimic legitimate communication from trusted organizations.
  • Phishing attacks can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and unauthorized access to personal and organizational data.
• Botnets
  • A botnet is a network of infected computers controlled by a hacker, often without the owners' knowledge.
  • Botnets are used to send spam emails, launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and spread malware.
  • Botnets can consist of thousands or even millions of compromised devices, making them a powerful tool for cybercriminals.
• Malware
  • Malware is a broad term for various types of malicious software designed to harm or exploit any programmable device, service, or network.
  • Common types of malware include viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware.
  • Malware can disrupt operations, steal sensitive information, and cause significant financial damage.
• Email Filtering
  • Email filtering is a technique used to automatically detect and organize incoming email messages based on specified criteria.
  • Filters can be used to sort emails into different folders, block spam, and prioritize important messages.
  • Advanced email filtering systems use machine learning and pattern recognition to improve accuracy in identifying spam and malicious emails.