SPAM

1
SPAM!

• From Wikipedia
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_28electronic29
  
• Spam (electronic)
• the abuse of electronic messaging systems to
  send unsolicited bulk messages, which are almost
  universally undesired

2
How did spam get its name?

• probably from Monty Pythons Spam skit,
  according to Electronic Freedom Foundation
  chairman Brad Templeton http//www.templetons.com
  /brad/spamterm.html
• (audio version of skit available from
• http//www.detritus.org/spam/skit.html

3
Kinds of spam

• (source http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_28elec
  tronic29
• Email spam is most widely recognized, but not the
  only kind
• Also
• Instant messaging spam
• Usenet newsgroup spam
• Web search engine spam
• Spam in blogs
• Mobile phone messaging spam
• Junk fax transmissions

4
In absolute numbers

• source http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-mail_spam
• 1978 - An e-mail spam is sent to 600 addresses.
• 1994 - First large-scale spam sent to 6000
  newsgroups, reaching millions of people.
• 2005 - (June) 30 billion per day
• 2006 - (June) 55 billion per day
• 2006 - (December) 85 billion per day
• 2007 - (February) 90 billion per day

5
In absolute numbers

• source http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-mail_spam
• MAAWG - Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group,
  www.maawg.org
• Estimates that 80-85 of incoming mail is
  abusive email, as of the last quarter of 2005
• (sample size 100 million mailboxes!)

6
In absolute numbers

• Source Raw email stats for HSU, 2-12-2007
• HSU receives, daily 250,000 incoming mail
  messages
• 85 (212,500) are BLOCKED
• 5 (12,500) are QUARANTINED
• 10 (25,000) are passed to users mailboxes
• (10,000-12,000 active e-mail accounts)

7
Why is this a problem?

• Discuss!

8
What can you DO about it?

• Sources
• US-CERT Cyber Security Tip ST04-007,
• http//www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-007.html
• Consumer Reports Sept. 2006, Cyber Insecurity

9
What can you DO about it?

• Dont give out your e-mail address arbitrarily
• Check privacy policies
• Be aware of options selected by default negative
  check-offs
• Use filters/antispam software

10
What can you DO about it?

• DONT follow links in spam messages!
• Disable automatic downloading of graphics in HTML
  e-mail
• Consider opening an additional e-mail account
• Dont spam others!!