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| Microsoft has filed suits against sexually
explicit spammers that violated the CAN-SPAM act. |
Microsoft has filed seven law suits against hackers who
allegedly used innocent third-party PCs to send sexually explicit
spam messages that violated rules set down by the USA's CAN-SPAM
act and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The seven lawsuits have been filed in Washington State Superior
Court in Seattle, against unidentified defendants. It is claimed
that spammers violated federal laws and Washington State's
Commerical Electronic Mail Act by sending spam email via
compromised computers, and failing to include an unsubscribe option
or physical mail address. It is alleged that hundreds of thousands
of spam messages were sent.
"Just like explicit adult magazines sold in newsagents have to
be covered by a brown paper bag, so hardcore emails have to be
marked as such," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant
for Sophos. "Obviously spammers don't want to do this as it makes
the messages more obvious as spam - but this part of the CAN-SPAM
act gives a good opportunity for legal action to be taken against
the spamming community."
A recent study
by Sophos revealed that the USA is the largest producer of spam in
the world. Sophos recommends companies protect themselves with a
consolidated solution which can defend
businesses from the threats of both spam and viruses.
"Everyone should ensure their computers are properly protected
from spammers and virus writers," continued Cluley.
More details on the FTC's rules regarding labelling sexually
explicit email can be found on the FTC's website.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com.