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FixingEmail.org Builds Citizen Army Against Email Scams
SecurityProNews
Staff Writer
2005-09-22
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In the first half of 2005, there were 237 million separate security attacks via email, translating to 54,000 attacks an hour. In July, FixingEmail.org was launched, an online community devoted to rooting out the troublemakers.
The website, sponsored by email security company IronPort Systems, is the public face of a group that includes email security vendors, government agencies, and consumers aimed at creating awareness of and action against unwanted email. Set up like a blog and bulletin board, the site makes it easier for people to report security risk emails.
"The goal for FixingEmail.org is to offer a single resource for consumers to report what they are seeing, gain insight into what to beware of, and to educate. We feel this is a vital link missing in the fight against spam," says Stephanie Jordan, founder of FixingEmail.org and editor of Messaging News.
Spam-and-scam emails have become such a nuisance that FixingEmail.org fears the very medium of email is at risk, and most ISP's lack an easy and central way to report email attacks.
"This has become an online epidemic that threatens the email medium. But with funding support from technology industry companies, FixingEmail.org offers a place for consumers to take action and become more involved in the fight against email abuse by facilitating the reporting of email spam and fraud," says spokesperson Teresa Yasutis.
The success of the new site is largely based upon people power and wide scale community adoption.
"Even with new technology solutions and new laws, it is clear that - unless consumers get involved - the medium of email will continue to be at risk," says IronPort chief marketing officer Tom Gillis. "Although Internet security companies are continually updating and improving systems to help consumers battle spam, it is the activism of email users, that in the end will make the real difference."
About the Author:
SecurityProNews is a daily online and email publication focusing on internet security issues.
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