S5 E5: Sanford "Spamford" Wallace

S5 E5: Sanford "Spamford" Wallace

From Mugshot by CDM Productions

January 30, 2026 · 38 min · Season 5 · Episode 5

About this episode

This episode explores the origins and implications of spam on the internet, focusing on Sanford 'Spamford' Wallace.

The internet can be an interesting place. It can also be frustrating and scary. We all know what spam is - and not the kind that comes in a can. The annoying, cluttering ads in our email box. We also know about adware and malware. But have you ever wondered where it all started? Music: Swelling - Night II This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, PO Box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA. Sources: The decade-long quest to stop “Spamford” Wallace - Ars Technica Exiled Spam King's Go-Go Life | WIRED USCOURTS-cand-5_09-cv-00798-5.pdf Northern District of California | Sanford “Spam King” Wallace Sentenced To Two And A Half Years In Custody For Spamming Facebook Users | United States Department of Justice https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/file/867141/download Concentric Network v. Wallace FTC Cracks down On Spyware Operation Order of Default Judgment, Permanent Injunction, and Other Equitable Relief Against Sanford Wallace and SmartBot.Net, Inc. MySpace sues 'Spam King' over fake profiles - Los Angeles Times…

Topics covered

  • spam
  • internet
  • adware
  • malware

Keywords

  • internet history
  • spamford wallace
  • cybersecurity

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Swelling - Night II

Places: Mountain View, CA, USA, Northern District of California, United States, Northern District, California

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