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MX Logic Reports Spam Accounts for 67 Percent of All Email In 2005

Posted on: Thursday, 22 September 2005, 09:00 CDT

MX Logic Inc., a leading provider of innovative email defense solutions that ensure email protection and security for businesses, service providers, government organizations, resellers and their customers, today released its latest data on email security. Key among the company's findings is that through August 2005, spam accounted for an average of 67 percent of all email through the MX Logic(R) Threat Center. This compares to 76 percent for the same eight-month period in 2004.

In addition, an average of 48 percent of all spam filtered by the MX Logic Threat Center in August was sent from neglected, "always-connected" broadband PCs that spammers hijacked by installing a spam Trojan.

"The drop in spam volume could indicate that improved email defense technology and high-profile prosecutions of spammers might be having some effect," said Scott Chasin, chief technology officer, MX Logic. "However, I would caution that these numbers only indicate that less junk may be reaching inboxes. The overall volume of spam carried on the Internet continues to increase. Until we get rid of spam zombies -- which are responsible for sending nearly half of all spam -- we won't see any meaningful decline in transported spam or other Internet pollution."

To help end users protect themselves from becoming infected by spam Trojans and other email threats, MX Logic has developed the following list of tips:

-- Disconnect from broadband connections when your PC is not in use.

-- Update your PC with the latest security patches and software. For Windows XP users, install Service Pack 2 (SP2).

-- Update virus protection frequently and particularly when logging on after a vacation.

-- Never open suspicious email messages or attachments.

-- Do not disclose personal information (account numbers, Social Security numbers, credit card numbers) in an email, instant message or pop-up window.

-- Report any questionable or fraudulent email or Web site to your service provider or network administrator.

Chasin also added that service providers and enterprises should block Port 25 to help prevent spammers from abusing their networks. Port 25 is an Internet gateway that most mail servers use to send email.

Adoption of Sender Policy Framework and Sender ID Email Authentication Remains Low

MX Logic also issued data indicating that Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and Sender ID email authentication standards have yet to enjoy widespread adoption -- and that spam-sending domains still represent the biggest adopters of these protocols.

In a sample of more than 15.8 million unique email messages that passed through the MX Logic Threat Center from Aug. 14 through Aug. 20, 2005, MX Logic found that:

-- 8.7 percent were from domains that had published an SPF record, 83 percent of which were spam-sending domains; and,

-- 0.12 percent were from domains that had published a Sender ID record, 85 percent of which were spam-sending domains.

SPF and Sender ID are emerging email authentication protocols intended to help verify the origins of email at the domain level, making it more difficult for spammers and phishers to "spoof" email addresses.

3 Percent of Unsolicited Email in August Complies with Federal Anti-Spam Law

MX Logic also reported that in a random sample of 40,000 unique unsolicited commercial emails that passed through the MX Logic Threat Center in August, 3 percent complied with The Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing (CAN-SPAM) Act. This is slightly lower than the average 4 percent compliance rate from January through July 2005.

MX Logic has tracked compliance with the CAN-SPAM Act since the law went into force on Jan. 1, 2004, by examining a random sample of 10,000 unsolicited commercial emails each week. In determining whether an unsolicited email complies with the law, MX Logic verifies that the messages meet the following criteria:

-- Subject line is consistent with the body of the message;

-- The email includes an unsubscribe mechanism; and,

-- In the case of adult-oriented email, the message bears the FTC mandated "SEXUALLY-EXPLICIT" label in the subject line.

Monitoring billions of messages per month for over 6,200 organizations worldwide, the MX Logic Threat Center combines advanced, accurate and up-to-the-minute email defense technology and human-messaging expertise to protect MX Logic customers from spam, viruses, worms, phishing attacks and other email threats.

About MX Logic

MX Logic Inc. provides innovative email defense solutions that ensure email protection and security for businesses, service providers, government organizations, and resellers and their customers. The company's feature-rich solution suite is the industry's most comprehensive, flexible and easy to use.

Founded by messaging industry pioneers, MX Logic has delivered numerous industry firsts to the enterprise spam market, including becoming the first managed service provider to: leverage Bayesian Statistical Classification; provide spam beacon ("Web bug") blocking; offer quarantine management via email; provide corporate-level quarantine release reports that help reduce inappropriate email while decreasing corporate liability; and deliver a solution for tracking URL click-throughs from email to the Web, providing increased corporate control and security.

MX Logic processes billions of messages each month for over 6,200 organizations worldwide, including EnCana, Hyundai Motor America, Internet Initiative Japan, ServiceMaster, The Sports Authority, Verio Inc., and YMCA. In addition, MX Logic is the only email defense company to offer both a managed service and a turnkey, carrier-grade software solution for service providers. For more information, visit www.mxlogic.com.

Source: Business Wire

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