The future according to spam

Have you noticed the steady decline of traditional spamming in the past few years? The lowered levels have come about because the Internet has developed along with current technologies to make the z a safer place, one that is increasingly difficult for spammers to navigate. However, spammers are notorious for creatively adapting to change. First, we’ll look at why traditional mass spamming has declined. Secondly, we’ll consider how spamming might change to keep in front of recent Internet security updates.

Profitability

    The amount of money that could be made in 1997 with traditional mass spamming is nowhere near the amount that can be made today. Because of current Internet security updates, spammers have to pay for more hardware and work for a greater amount of time to accomplish the same amount of spamming that could easily be done with one machine on one server a little over a decade ago. Someone looking to make money would do better getting a minimum wage job than they would with regular spamming.

    Even though the existing shape of the Internet has made spamming more expensive than it is worth, spammers are known for creatively adapting to change. How will spammers evolve to survive a more secure Internet?

Smart Spam

    Spammers are getting creative. In 1997, traditional spamming was sending out mass emails to millions of accounts. With the improvement of spam filters, this method is no longer viable. Instead, spammers are merging their skills with hacking techniques. Spammers now hack established email accounts and send their message from them in lower volume. This form of spamming is also adapting to new connectivity outlets, such as social media. Recently, the twitter account of actor Simon Pegg was hacked, and 1 million of his followers were sent a link to a Trojan virus.

    While new technologies will de developed to help protect honest Internet users, the best protection is awareness. Be mindful when following a link from an email, even if it comes from a trusted account. Being aware of suspicious messages and unusual links can help keep you safe from crafty spammers. For more information and more detailed tips, take a look at this article.