From Merriam-Webster online:

unsolicited, usually commercial email sent to a large number of addresses

etymology: from a skit on “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” (link goes to YouTube) in which chanting of the word “Spam” (referring to the Hormel meat product) overrides the other dialogue

Spam makes up most of the world’s email, often estimated at more than 80% of all email traffic.

By the way, “spam” is a word, not an acronym, so it's not “SPAM” or “S.P.A.M.” It’s just “spam” — it doesn’t even get capitalized, unless it is at the beginning of a sentence or you are referring to the Hormel meat product.

Report Suspicious Email

Phishing is different from spam, although it is also annoying. The intent of a phishing message is to trick the recipient into giving up personal information or money. Successful phishing campaigns can result in fraud, harassment, identity theft, and other consequences. If you receive a suspicious email, send it to the IT Security Office using PhishAlarm.