Security news15 December 2007
11% of people admit to having bought goods sold via spam Consumers keeping the spam problem alive
New Sophos research has revealed that there has been a rise in the number of people who admit to having purchased goods sold via spam.
A poll, conducted by the IT security and control firm, has revealed that 11% of people admit to having bought spam-advertised goods, compared to just 5% in February 2007.
"Spammers seem to be finding it all too easy to con people into buying their goods. Whether they are selling weight loss medications, financial loans or drugs to improve sexual performance there seems to be no end of people who are prepared to click without thinking," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos. "People who buy goods sold via spam are perpetuating the problem of junk email for all of us. The simple fact is that if no-one purchased items advertised via junk email the spammers would stop."
Earlier this year, Sophos published its Security Threat Report July 2007, examining the latest trends in spam, malware and hacking.
- Download "Sophos Security Threat Report July 2007"
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Sophos recommends companies protect themselves with a consolidated solution which can control network access and defend against the threats of spam, hackers, spyware and viruses.
* Source: Sophos online poll, 390 respondents, November 2007.
Disclaimer: Please bear in mind that this poll is not scientific and is provided for information purposes only. Sophos makes no guarantees about the accuracy of the results other than that they reflect the choices of the users who participated.
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