Spam Carrying Malware Becomes Threefold During August 2010: Symantec

According to Symantec Corp., the security company's "September 2010 State of Spam and phishing Report," spam volumes carrying malicious software increased threefold during August 2010, whereas the total amount of spam having condensed file attachments grew four-times. This unexpected increase apparently, was due to the Sasfis and ZBot malware campaigns that continue to circulate.

As for the geographical sources of spam, the report emphasizes that the EMEA region comprising Europe, Middle East and Africa showed a downward tendency for spam generation during August 2010, as it dispatched 43.17% of junk e-mails compared to the 48.97% peak during June 2010.

Conversely, North America sent a higher spam during August 2010 at 25.78% against 20.49% during June 2010. Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) and Latin America continued to send more-or-less the same spam volume during the period, the report states.

Besides, phishing e-mails spiked 11% overall during August 2010 from that of July 2010. This was basically because of attacks with automated tools that became twofold, Symantec observes in its study.

Distinct websites also rose but slightly at 3%, while phishing websites having Internet Protocol domains such as http://255.255.255.255 grew considerably at approximately 147%, the State of Spam and phishing Report reveals. Softpedia.com reported this on September 9, 2010.

Importantly, as per the new study paper, United States continues to throw the maximum number of phishing sites and e-mails at the rate of around 50%. Countries following thereafter are Germany, Canada, U.K and France.

Moreover, during August 2010, Symantec noted phishing websites that masqueraded as one reputed social-networking site which had an association with the movie "High School Music."

Worryingly, the latest research paper emphasizes that spammers have by now begun readying themselves for the 2011 New Year season in Russia. In the current instance, the spammer is seeking Web-surfers to want 2011 calendars through purchase orders.

Eventually, to protect users from falling victim to phishing e-mails and unsolicited spam, Symantec recommends them that they should be extremely careful when opening e-mails. Also, they must make sure that their systems have an all-inclusive security suite along with up-to-date operating software, the security company advises.

Related article: Spam Scam Bags a Scottish Connection

» SPAMfighter News - 9/20/2010