Large numbers of users still open spam email

Report: Tens of millions still opening junk e-mail [CNET News]

Spam continues to be a major headache for Internet users, largely due to the significant number of users that open spam email messages and message attachments. Ipsos Public Affairs Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group recently released a survey of Internet users that reveals nearly half of respondents indicate they have opened a spam email. Half of those that had opened spam, did so with the knowledge that the message was spam. 

The survey also indicated that 11 percent and 8 percent of respondents had clicked on a link in spam email or opened an attachement on a spam message, respectively. Both activities are significant vectors for malware, as malware developers use attachements and links to activate malicious code on a user's computer.

Interestingly, younger users were more likely to open spam and click on links within spam messages than older users. The survey also predictably revealed that users most likely to have opened spam or engaged in other risky activities with a spam message were more likely to have a system infected with malware. What a surprise!

Spammers count on large numbers of users to open their messages and activate the malicious code many of these messages carry. Until more users understand the significant risks these activities represent, spammers will continue to attempt to take advantage.

Comments

[John Barrett]

what is it not easier to report spam to you that is "reportedly" coming from you