[ insider_reports_insider ]
Spam Volumes Up 60%
Mike Sachoff
Staff Writer
2009-07-22
 Insider Reports RSS Feed
The volume of spam is up 60 percent from the start of 2009 until the end of June, setting a new record, according to Marshal8e6 TRACElabs.
 | | Spam Volumes Up 60% |  |
"The previous highest period of spam activity was mid-2008," said TRACElabs lead security researcher, Phil Hay. "During the third quarter of 2008, spam volumes declined steadily until a dramatic event occurred on November 11, 2008 with the shut-down of the rogue ISP network, McColo, which had been providing hosting services to some of the largest known spam botnets.
"Since that time, spam volumes have been climbing back. In June, we saw spam volumes matching the previous highest period from last year and now in July 2009 the spammers have punched through with a wave of spam to set a new record."
Phishing activity was also up accounting for 1.4 percent of all spam volume; representing a seven-fold increase in phishing activity during the month to July 19.
More than 30 percent of all spam last week came from Asian countries after Vietnam overtook traditional spam heavyweights China, Turkey and Russia for the first time. However, Brazil continues to be responsible for over 15 percent of spam, followed by the U.S. with 10 percent.
"The spammers are sending a clear message with this renewed spam activity. After the shutdown of another rogue spam ISP, 3FN, in early June this year, spam volumes were temporarily affected with approximately a 15% dip," said Hay.
"However, the spammers recovered almost immediately and have been pumping out the spam ever since. The clear message spammers are giving us is that they are unimpeded by the efforts of law enforcement and the security community."
About the Author:
Mike is a staff writer for WebProNews. Visit WebProNews for the latest ebusiness news.
More insider_reports_insider Articles
Insider Reports RSS Feed
|
|
iEntry 10th Anniversary
RSS
Archive
