Spam

Spam is unsolicited bulk messaging sent over email, SMS, voice (robocalls), or messaging apps. Telecom-specific defences include carrier-side filtering, sender reputation, STIR/SHAKEN attestation for voice, SMS firewalls and grey-route blocking, and regulatory frameworks such as TCPA in the US and the ePrivacy Directive in the EU.

Categories: Security ControlsFraudInternet and Routing

Spam in context

Security controls span signaling firewalls (SS7/Diameter/GTP screening), transport encryption (IPsec, TLS, PRINS), identity and access on OSS/BSS, and monitoring at both packet and log level. Controls are audited against GSMA FS.11/FS.19/FS.20/FS.36.

Telecom fraud costs operators an estimated $40+ billion per year. Common vectors include IRSF, Wangiri callback scams, SIM box bypass, PBX hacking and A2P grey routing.

To place Spam in the wider telecom-security picture, review 3G, A5/1, ASN, Authorization, BGP Hijacking and Blue Team — each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

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Browse the full TelcoSec Glossary, the Ultimate Guide to Mobile Network Security, or the P1 Arsenal of telecom-security tools.