Which term describes unsolicited messages sent in bulk, often aiming to sell something or collect personal information?

The term that describes unsolicited messages sent in bulk, often with the intent to sell something or collect personal information, is spam. Spam typically refers to unsolicited emails or messages that overwhelm users' inboxes, making it difficult for them to handle legitimate communications. These messages can range from advertisements for products or services to scams attempting to harvest personal data, such as passwords or credit card numbers.

This phenomenon takes advantage of the easy and widespread nature of digital communications, allowing senders to reach a large audience with minimal effort. The sheer volume of spam can also lead to decreased productivity and pose security risks if users inadvertently engage with malicious content embedded in these messages. Understanding spam is essential for effective email management and online safety.