Spam Falls But Viruses Rise During Q3-2010, Reports Google

According to a new report by Google's Postini, the wing that looks after archiving hosted facility and e-mail security, the total volume of spam observed during Q3-2010 dipped compared to that of 2009 although it carried an increased number of PC viruses.

States the report, the total e-mail junk along with viruses during Q3-2010 validates that spammers continue to strive for the distribution of their malware in fresh and innovative methods. During August 2010, a huge 241% rise in viruses was observed from July 2010 that accounted for the largest-ever wave of viral activity from 2008.

In general, the total amount of virus payload rose 42% since Q2-2010 and 10% since Q3-2010, whereas spam volumes declined 16% and 24% from the same months, correspondingly, as per the report.

Remarking about these disturbing occurrences, the Services Team of Postini stated that the latest rise in viral operations might mean that spammers were gearing up while building botnets to use them during the season of vacation as well as rising consumer spending. Softpedia.com published this on October 19, 2010.

Additionally, the team said that after spam started to be used for commercial purposes during 2006, Postini had frequently observed an association between malware campaigns, spam, and seasonal consumption trends.

Interestingly Postini services team's two important experts, Adam Hollman and Adrian Soghoian stated that people sending spam were mimicking the content in sent e-mails from contaminated PCs thinking that their own messages would be able to dodge filters better. They were also hoping that increasing number of recipients could be fooled against the number being tricked with standard spam texts pledging gain of lost fortunes, etc., the experts added. Informationweek.com published this on October 19, 2010.

Finally, the new report states that junk e-mails pretending to be NDR (non-delivery receipt/report) notifications or financial transaction e-mails are growing in popularity among spammers as baits that accompany malevolent web-links alternatively disguised JavaScripts assaults, which pull down malware. Moreover, celebrity rumor that particularly give fake warnings regarding famous people's untimely demises is the other frequently-used bait with which recipients of e-mail are made to click on malevolent e-mail attachments.

Related article: Spam Scam Bags a Scottish Connection

» SPAMfighter News - 10/28/2010