Posted on 12/26/2004 3:28:47 PM PST by mathprof
The United States is in a league of its own when it comes to sending junk mail to e-mail users.
Researchers at security software company Sophos found that 42 percent of all spam sent this year came from the United States, based on a scan by its researchers of a global network of honey pots--computers designed to attract spam e-mails and viruses.
Sophos said this is evidence that America's antispam legislation simply isn't working.
"When we released the first report back in February, the U.S. had the excuse that the Can-Spam Act had been in existence for only three months," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos, on Friday.
Source of spam Machines in the United States generate by far the largest amount of junk e-mail and other online pests. Country Share of spam (percent) United States 42.11 South Korea 13.43 China 8.44 Canada 5.71 Brazil 3.34 Japan 2.57 France 1.37 Spain 1.18 United Kingdom 1.13 Germany 1.03 Taiwan 1 Mexico 0.89 Source: Sophos "Almost a year and millions of spam messages later, it is quite evident that that the Can-Spam legislation has made very little headway in damming the flood of spam," he said.
South Korea and China came in second and third place, respectively, but together they sent just half as much spam as the United States.
Sophos warned that many spammers are using hacked PCs with broadband connections to send out their spam. This could explain South Korea's position near the top of the list, as it leads the world for broadband penetration.
"Spammers are motivated by one thing--quick, easy money," Cluley added. "There are plenty of spammers who have taken their money-making schemes to the extreme by hacking into innocent third-party computers in an effort to do their dirty work."
"Many of the computers sending out spam are most likely to have had their broadband internet connections exploited by remote hackers. Zombie computers--PCs that have been compromised by hackers or virus writers--are sending out over 40 percent of the world's spam, and many users who fall victim are unaware," he said.
Tech ping!
It's mind boggling the amount of people who don't understand the basic need for a firewall. If nothing else, it's for your fellow Freepers.
Until we treat spammers and those who pay them as virus makers and conspirators in lawbreaking we'll see no major gains.
I suggest public hangings for spammers.
Or impale them in front of their families.
In ANY other venue, people would be jailed for similar activity. Theft of resources, or outright vandalism, as examples-If I were to break into someone's house, and use their property to steal, or stole their credit cards or PIN's, etc. I would reasonably expect to do time.
The Law just has not caught up with the technology, and all the while, the Direct Marketing Association (spit) is bribing legislators.
Also the reports of Far East spam spigots is misleading; If the money is followed all the way, they are really American entities. China has "Bulletproof" web and mail hosts, etc. which actually advertise.
I am very proud of my country. Its good to know we still lead the world in producing something.
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