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The Internet and Access to Information. Why is it so difficult to eliminate SPAM?. By: Juan C. Vargas Computer Science 450. Spam has become a major problem in our society and despite many attempts, no perfect solution has been found. Internet E-mail Spam Percentage. Source: Symantec
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The Internet and Access to Information Why is it so difficult to eliminate SPAM? By: Juan C. Vargas Computer Science 450
Spam has become a major problem in our society and despite many attempts, no perfect solution has been found. Internet E-mail Spam Percentage Source: Symantec http://eval.symantec.com/mktginfo/enterprise/other_resources/b-state_of_spam_report_10-2008.en-us.pdf
Regions of SPAM Origin • United States 29% • Turkey 8% • Russia 7% • South Korea 4% • China 4% • India 4% • Brazil 3% Malware detected in E-mail Messages
Top Malware detected (2008) • Trojan Horse 13.4% • Downloader 11.8% • Infostealer 11.1% • Law • The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 • Unsubscribe Compliance • Content Compliance • Sending Behavior Compliance • Content is Exempt if it consists of: • Religious Messages • Political messages • National Security Messages Measures Taken Against SPAM
The CAN-SPAM Act is commonly referred to by anti-spam activists as the YOU-CAN-SPAM Act because: • The bill does not require e-mailers to get permission before they send marketing messages. • It also prevents states from enacting stronger anti-spam protections. • The Act has been largely unenforced • About 1% of SPAM complies with CAN-SPAM ACT
Software • SPAM Filters and Blockers • Examine the header and content of the message, and look for various features • Where the message came from • What software sent the message • What the message looks like • Extensions linked to SPAM • ade adp app asd asf asx bas bat chm cmd com cpl crt dll exe fxp hlp hta hto inf ini ins isp jse lib lnk mdb mde msc msi msp mst ocx pcd pif prg rar reg scr sct sh shb shs sys url vb vbe vbs vcs vxd wmd wms wmz wsc wsf wsh
Blacklisting • Keeps on growing and changing • Causes problems when a Legit ISPs get blacklisted • E-mails are not received on time or not receive at all until problem is resolved. • Whitelisting • User has to allow valid senders. (Time Consuming) • Keep updating white list every time a valid sender changes it address • Problem: Zombie Computers
Zombie Computers • In September 2008, there was a 101 percent increase in the number of active zombie computers sending spam. • Top countries hosting zombie machines • Turkey 12% • Brazil 9% • Russia 8% • India 6% • United States 6%
Because of Zombie Computers maintaining a Blacklist or white list will not solve the problem of SPAM • CAN-SPAM ACT has many flaws and without the compromise of all countries around the world it is useless. Conclusion