Global drop in spam e-mail is 'short lived'
   

<p>A recently observed global decline in spam e-mail could prove to be short lived. The Rustock botnet is reportedly now back in operation.</p>
   

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12154118
   

419 vs LHC
         

<p>Nigerian scammers are creative people. From imaginary hitmen to American majors with suitcases full of Saddam's gold, to enough deceased relatives to fill a cemetery, to entire armies of princes, politicians and dictators, there seems no end to their inventiveness. But now, it seems they have turned their talents to writing actual science fiction.</p>

<p>Reproduced below is the full text of one imaginative scammer's latest message. Because after all, when the Large Hadron Collider destroys the Earth, who better than a Nigerian scammer to see you safe and sound?</p>
         

http://www.spamnation.info/blog/archives/2010/12/419_vs_lhc.html
         

Gawker hack - here comes the spam
         

<p>The recent Gawker Media hack exposed a large number of usernames and passwords, many of which were promptly re-used by spammers for an Acai spam run on Twitter. In addition to sharing the password database, the Gnosis hacker group that pulled off the exploit also thoughtfully posted the email addresses of Gawker commenters for the benefit of any spammers who might care to use them.</p>

<p>Spammers have apparently now added the compromised email addresses to their mailing lists. I've just seen a Nigerian spam sent to a previously undisclosed address that was used uniquely for registration on a Gawker property. More will undoubtedly follow.</p>

<p>The lesson to learn from all this is that third-party user databases should be considered inherently insecure. Don't use the same username/password combination on multiple sites, and use disposable email addresses to register. That way when the site does get hacked, you aren't giving hackers and spammers the keys to some other part of your digital life and you can just dump the compromised address and move on.</p>
         

http://www.spamnation.info/blog/archives/2010/12/gawker-hack-spam-arriving.html
         

Avalanche botnet moves from distributing spam to Zeus lures
   

<p>Researchers have found that the Avalanche botnet is increasingly used to distribute lures for the Zeus trojan, a malware system designed to steal financial information.</p>
   

http://www.scmagazineuk.com/avalanche-botnet-moves-from-distributing-spam-to-zeus-lures/article/181641/
   

Hackers, spammers will target Facebook Messages, say experts
   

<p>Facebook's revamped Messages will be a very attractive target for spammers, scammers and malware makers, according to security experts.</p>
   

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9196828/Hackers_spammers_will_target_Facebook_Messages_say_experts
   

How much is that free iPad in the window?
         

<p>One type of spam that shows up occasionally is spam that advertises your chance to get  the hot technology item of the day - currently, that's typically an iPad or an iPhone - for "free". Here's a typical example:</p>

Subject: We are looking for iPad testers

We are looking for people who will be willing to test the iPad. The
testing period will take 60 days. You only need to review and
looking for bugs. After test you get to keep your iPad. You have
no obligations. Spots are closing fast, so hurry and confirm
your email address.

<p>Sounds good, right?</p>

         

http://www.spamnation.info/blog/archives/2010/11/free-ipad-scam.html
         

Subject line of the Week
         

<p>This week's prize for the best prize-pitch scam subject line goes to Ademola Johnson. It just reads:</p>

Attention: Dear Prominent User of the Internet

<p>I can't decide whether I should put 'Prominent User of the Internet' on my business cards, or on a T-shirt. Or both.</p>
         

http://www.spamnation.info/blog/archives/2010/11/subject_line_of_the_week.html