Five facts on “spam” email
The number of spam email messages has tripled since June and now accounts for nine out of 10 emails sent worldwide, according to Postini, the U.S. email security company.Here are five facts about unwanted emails:
* According to Internet lore, the term “spam” for repetitive unwanted email refers to the Monty Python sketch set in a cafe where every dish comes with Spam, a tinned meat product, and a group of Vikings chants “Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam”.
* Experts say the rise in spam is largely due to one malicious computer programme or worm called “Stration”. This hijacks home computers and makes them send out emails.
* The most commonly used email subject lines this week were: 1) Please finalise. 2) Thank you for request. 3) Christmas Special! 4) Dating, 15 new messages for you, Olga. 5) News. (Source: McAfee).
* “Pump and dump” share tipping email scams are on the rise. Fraudsters buy cheap, little-known stocks and then hype them by email. The share price rises when others invest. The conmen then sell their stake at a profit and the price falls.
* Experts urge computer users to install anti-virus programmes and keep them updated; never to respond to spam emails and never to reveal financial details.
This entry was posted on Monday, November 27th, 2006 at 3:44 pm and is filed under world wide web. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
