Observation - New Year reduction in spam
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: UK
Observation - New Year reduction in spam
A typical day sees about fifty spam e-mails to my work e-mail address getting trapped by Postini according to the report I receive each morning, and about twenty arriving in the spam folder of the personal e-mail address that I use exclusively for web shopping.
During the past week however both mailboxes have been the target of but a trickle of spam - 1 or 2 e-mails per day and yesterday and today, nothing. Zero. Zilch.
Probably simply a sign of how many PCs have been switched off whilst their owners have fun celebrating, but I have never seen this large a drop off at Christmas or New Year before.
I recall that one of the world's biggest spam botnets was recently shut down too, but have other PPRuNers also noticed the same thing over the past week?
XV
During the past week however both mailboxes have been the target of but a trickle of spam - 1 or 2 e-mails per day and yesterday and today, nothing. Zero. Zilch.
Probably simply a sign of how many PCs have been switched off whilst their owners have fun celebrating, but I have never seen this large a drop off at Christmas or New Year before.
I recall that one of the world's biggest spam botnets was recently shut down too, but have other PPRuNers also noticed the same thing over the past week?
XV
Last edited by The late XV105; 4th January 2011 at 09:29. Reason: botnet
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Earth
XV105,
Morning XV105 and happy new year to you.
I suspect you might be the exception rather than the rule. Unless another botnet has been shutdown you're probably just experiencing a run of good luck! The Lethic and Grum spambots for example have been showing an upward trend ever since the demise of one of their competitors in October.
Another example, take a look at the messagelabs stats for the last week..... spam rate has been pretty constant....
Messagelabs Intelligence
Morning XV105 and happy new year to you.
I suspect you might be the exception rather than the rule. Unless another botnet has been shutdown you're probably just experiencing a run of good luck! The Lethic and Grum spambots for example have been showing an upward trend ever since the demise of one of their competitors in October.
Another example, take a look at the messagelabs stats for the last week..... spam rate has been pretty constant....
Messagelabs Intelligence
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: UK
Thanks, mixture, and a happy New Year to you, too!
That is an interesting link, ta, now bookmarked for future reference. Interesting that I should have two accounts both bucking the trend but I agree with you that the charts point to exactly that.
XV
That is an interesting link, ta, now bookmarked for future reference. Interesting that I should have two accounts both bucking the trend but I agree with you that the charts point to exactly that.
XV
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,663
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From: Earth
XV,
It seems Symantec are seeing similar trend bucking to you. They are putting it down to the Rustock botnet suddenly going quiet.
Spam from Rustock, Lethic and Xarvester Disappears over the Holiday Season | Symantec Connect
It seems Symantec are seeing similar trend bucking to you. They are putting it down to the Rustock botnet suddenly going quiet.
Spam from Rustock, Lethic and Xarvester Disappears over the Holiday Season | Symantec Connect
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Bracknell, Berks, UK
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,663
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From: Earth
See also here.....
Taking Stock of Rustock :Krebs on Security
Rustock has reduced spam volumes and is focusing on its pay per click fraud efforts.
It seems to be quite an interesting security blog in general, I haven't seen it before. His rather scary section on ATM skimmers is also worth a peek. Apartently the criminals are now starting to use GSM to get feeds of cards live.
Taking Stock of Rustock :Krebs on Security
Rustock has reduced spam volumes and is focusing on its pay per click fraud efforts.
It seems to be quite an interesting security blog in general, I haven't seen it before. His rather scary section on ATM skimmers is also worth a peek. Apartently the criminals are now starting to use GSM to get feeds of cards live.
