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Can Federal Legislation Prevent SPAM?
By: Todd A Gardner, Director of Network Development and Public Policy for the EagleNet Company
These days it seems that everyone is complaining about the oppressive volume of unsolicited email flooding "in" boxes on computers around the world. Indeed, SPAM watchers tell us that today, 60% of all Internet email is SPAM, and that number is expected to grow to 70% by January 2004. By comparison, in 2001, only 7% of all email was unsolicited commercial email. The volume of SPAM appears to be doubling every 6 months - a frightening concept, to be sure.
Fighting SPAM is a challenge and has become big business. Anti-SPAM software must allow legitimate email through, only blocking the unwanted SPAM; consequently, to err on the side of caution most software is only capable of blocking 90 to 95% of SPAM at best.
At the same time, by most estimates revenue for SPAM-fighting products is expected to soon surpass the revenue SPAM itself generates for advertisers. Regardless of how you look at it, it is the end-user who bears the burden of fighting SPAM. Something has to be done, right?
Congress recently passed anti-SPAM legislation and President Bush has signed the CAN-SPAM Act into law. But will that put an end to all of our email problems? While the law attempts to stop illegal and deceptive practices, critics sight several weaknesses in answering "no".
First, the law requires spammers to eliminate extreme tactics like forging return addresses or using misleading subject lines. It also requires recipients to be given the ability to unsubscribe (or "opt out") from future mailings. Additionally, spammers would need to mark all email that contained pornographic material. Penalties include jail time and large fines for offenders. While these requirements may stop some SPAM, unfortunately the largest volume of unsolicited commercial email originates offshore, primarily in China, far outside the reach of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Secondly, while the proposed law would authorize the FTC to study and perhaps create a "Do-Not-SPAM" registry similar to the "Do-Not-Call" registry, the FTC was not granted funding to offset the expense of creating such a registry, much less what would be required to fully enforce it. Additionally, critics complain that any such registry would quickly become a rich source of legitimate email addresses for unscrupulous offshore spammers.
Finally, while the federal anti-SPAM law would standardize the legal remedies against spammers nationwide, there are those who decry the fact that the new law would circumvent some states' stricter existing anti-SPAM laws and penalties. For example, the federal law would take away the right that some states have granted for individuals to directly sue spammers. Under the federal law, only ISPs, the FTC, and state attorneys general would have that right.
While the law appears to be a much-needed step in the right direction, there are some weaknesses that must be addressed. At the same time the public needs to understand that while these laws can have value, they will never be the silver bullet that stops the offshore vampires.
Spyware Software on Your Work Computer?
No matter how careful your employees are, or how extensively you prepare to protect your company's network environment, sometimes Spyware (Adware) still manage to creep in to individual computer systems. It is not uncommon and quite likely for computers within a business to become infected by Spyware software, slowing down productivity and threatening the security of your daily activities.
What is Spyware? Spyware is software that automatically installs files on to your computer and secretly gathers your personal or company information and relays it to advertisers or third parties without your consent or knowledge. Once computers on your network are infected, Spyware monitors your company's Internet browsing patterns, and invites other companies to SPAM your employees with emails or annoying pop-up ads. The software files can also install other programs directly on to computers without your knowledge. Adware programs include auto install and auto update capabilities and can report on any attempts to remove or modify them.
How does your computer acquire Spyware? These files infect your system in a variety of underhanded ways. In some cases, it's as simple as one click on an unwanted pop-up ad. Soon, the files are active in your system, sending cookies to other Spyware programs, inviting them into your system, and further comprising the privacy of your company.
What can you do about Spyware? There are a variety of ways to enhance your current virus and security protection to your business network. Below are a few links that will provide you with an in depth look at Spyware and how you can delete if from your computer. EagleNet also provides a variety of services for network security and can assess the level of vulnerability your network may have. For more information on how EagleNet can help, contact one of our Business Account Managers at 1.888.999.3245 ext. 4102.
Resources:
http://spychecker.com/software/antispy.html
http://housecall.antivirus.com
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=home
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