Viruses: Back with a vengeance in 2004

Robert Vamosi AnchorDesk

Published: 05 Jan 2004 11:10 GMT

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Large open-proxy networks also help spammers get their messages out faster than sending them through one or two systems. In 2003, the email-security company MessageLabs found that two-thirds of the spam being circulated on the Internet was relayed through the use of open proxies.

Spammers use viruses for more than just creating open proxies. They use viral code to collect active email addresses, too. In the past, spammers bought CDs containing both valid and invalid email addresses, taking their chances that a profitable percentage would be live. But now spammers can infect computers worldwide with viruses that will send hundreds of thousands of active email addresses back to the spammer within hours, then turn around and start flooding those addresses with spam.

MessageLabs predicts that spam will account for over 70 percent of email traffic by April of 2004. Given that current anti-spam legislation is largely ineffective, the onus will continue to be on you and me to protect ourselves.

What to do? Well, fortify yourself, of course, as I've been saying throughout 2003 and will continue to say in 2004. In addition to running a good antivirus/firewall combination, such as Trend Micro's PC-cillin Internet Security 2004, on your system, I recommend installing a good spam blocker, such as Norton AntiSpam 2004 or Qurb. The antivirus/firewall app will keep your desktop from sending out spam without your knowledge, and the anti-spam app will help shield you from the onslaught of unsolicited, incoming mail.

I wish I could promise you that in 2004, we'll see the end of email viruses and spam. Unfortunately, I expect to see even more.

But there is hope. In 2004, Microsoft will start rolling out changes to its Windows Server platform that the software giant says will limit the growth of spam. And by the end of 2004, companies participating in the government's National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace are expected to make recommendations on how to limit the growth of viruses and Trojan horses, among other Internet maladies. It may be a little late, but better late than never, right? I hope I'll have better news for you in 2005.

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