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Spammers Enlist Subliminal Messaging
SecurityProNews
Staff Writer
2006-09-06
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The spam includes an embedded multi-framed GIF graphic, which is new technique used to bypass spam filters, recommending recipients buy stock in a company called Trimax. Every 15 seconds, the word BUY!!! flashes briefly (but not really briefly enough to be intended for the subconscious level).
Note to advertisers, conspiracy theorists, and ignorant spammers: The effectiveness of subliminal advertising was disproved long, long ago, even by the man who started the whole thing, on television no less. Unfortunately, the damage was done, laws were passed, and subliminal messages became part of the collective cultural mythology.
But I digress.
Security company Sophos gives us a glimpse of the subliminal spam at their website.
"Animated graphics are being used in image spam campaigns to try and weave past filters which may be attempting optical character recognition to decipher the messages that spammers send," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.
"This message tries to be subliminal, but it is questionable whether it would successfully subconsciously influence armchair investors into buying more stock."
Sophos reports that embedded image spam has been on the rise in 2006, up 18.2 percent. Pump-and-dump stock spamscam has also increased, jumping to approximately 15 percent of all spam sent.
"It's likely that more and more spam will use the technique to try and get past gateway filters," said Cluley, "and computer users should ensure their mailstreams are defended by products which can effectively combat it."
Spam, Subliminal Messages, Pump-and-dump
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SecurityProNews is a daily online and email publication focusing on internet security issues.
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