RSSFTC Begins 'Operation Spam Zombies'
By Nate Mook | Published May 25, 2005, 11:04 AM
The Federal Trade Commission, Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security and 33 other agencies from over 20 countries have joined the fight against spam - specifically targeting 'zombie' machines. Zombie, or hijacked computers are responsible for sending millions of junk e-mails each day.
"Operation Spam Zombies," will begin by sending letters to over 3,000 ISPs worldwide, instructing them on how to prevent customers' computers from being compromised by spammers. These methods include: blocking port 25 that is used for outgoing e-mail, applying rate-limiting controls for e-mail relays, identifying potential zombie machines, and providing customers with trojan-removal tools.
In July, the next phase of the operation will help to identify spam zombies and directly notify networks that are hosting them. The approach is similar to one taken by the FTC in 2004 with "Operation Secure Your Server" that cracked down on open mail relays.
"Computers around the globe have been hijacked to send unwanted e-mail," said Lydia Parnes, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "With our international partners, we're urging Internet Service Providers worldwide to step up their efforts to protect computer users from costly, annoying, and intrusive spam zombies."
The FTC has established a Web site for Operation Spam Zombies that outlines the project and contains the letter being sent to ISPs around the globe.
Agencies from Albania, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom have joined in anti-zombie operation.
They ought to have "operation teach people not to be morons" that install spyware, viruses etc.. and compromise their systems.
Never had a virus.
Never had adware.
Never had spyware.
Online since around 1993.
Love to watch Family Guy.
Thats just my 2 cents.
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same same. idiots need to understand what they go to and download. WOULD YOU LIKE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE VIRUS FREE OF CHARGE, THATS RIGHT, ITS ABSOLUTELY FREE!! "omg i got to click yes, its FREE!!"....jeez man.
i play counter-strike.
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Unfortunately most people using the Internet aren't that bright, and can't be taught the skills needed to use it properly. Some people just can't learn.
But hey, this isn't such a bad idea. Surely an ISP can identify someone sending tens of thousands of emails everyday, and boot their computer off the network until they fix it? It's still telling the nuffies they need to learn how to fix their machines.
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1.Propose Changes in the Email Delivery System (Protocol). It’s Ancient with respect to other technologies.
2.Have more control for the subscriber of email service. Not every one is expecting emails from around the world! IP addresses are mapped to geographic regions.
3.Needs real blessings from the software giants!
4.Impose regulation with teeth!
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I agree 100% but question #3. I think that should be with the email supplier/host. They need to monitor emails coming in and going out on their servers.
What safeguards are you proposing with regard to software? and to which companies are you referring to?
We need to go after the culprets of spam and stop the bandaid style of protection we currently support. The ony reason we are using this method is the profitability of it for select companies.
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1) Use some federal dollars for a national "just don't look" / "just don't click" campaign. Ripping-off The Simpsons:
"To stop that spam mail 1,2,3,
Here's a fresh new way that's trouble-free,
It's got Paul Anka's guarantee,
...guarantee void in Tennessee,
Just don't look, just don't look,
Just don't click, just don't click"
We have anti-smoking, anti-alcohol, anti-drug advertisements, etc...I don't see why computer viruses can't join them.
2) ISP's need to closely monitor their networks and take strong measures to disable the accounts of infected users. A few do, but most don't. I wish the FTC luck, but ultimately their efforts may require some legal teeth (re: fines).
3) This my be naive, but for spam and vulnerabilities coming from outside a country's borders, there should be a limited number of entry points: communication satellites, main routing centers, etc. I'd think it would be easier to (again, with a little federal money) create better defenses here, instead of lumping these crucial areas with the thousands of "downstream" providers.
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I agree, but I was interested in his third suggestion on what he proposes.
"3.Needs real blessings from the software giants!"
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