Stupid names, serious threats

What is it with the world of IT security and naming conventions? I mean, OK, we’ve all come to accept the term ‘spam’ as it applies to junk email, with the exception of Hormel Foods who apparently still insist it’s a ‘crazy tasty’ spiced-ham luncheon meat and even spent a reported £2 million in 2004 to convince the nation of the fact. Nonetheless, it’s a silly name for a serious problem. Although not as silly as SPIT (Internet Telephony Spam) or SPIM (Instant Messaging Spam) it has to be said, but then again neither problem has proved to be quite as serious out here in the real world as the people who pushed the names so hard.