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Semiconductor industry

FTC Cracks Down on Zombie Computers, ISPs Sought in Campaign Against Spam

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Federal Trade Commission is stepping up its efforts to combat spam by enlisting the help of Internet service providers to identify and monitor "zombies," or computers infected with malware that send out millions of unsolicited email messages without the owner's knowledge. The commission is sending letters to over 3,000 ISPs in about two dozen countries, detailing ways they can help customers keep their computers secure and identify the infected machines. Analysts say that while most ISPs already monitor network traffic for spikes indicating a user's machine is infected, the FTC's campaign is aimed at holding ISPs "somewhat responsible" for dealing with the problem of zombies on their networks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FTC is sending letters to over 3,000 ISPs in about two dozen countries to help identify and monitor "zombies," or computers infected with malware that send out millions of unsolicited email messages without the owner's knowledge.
  • Most ISPs already monitor network traffic for spikes indicating a user's machine is infected, but the FTC's campaign aims to hold them "somewhat responsible" for dealing with the problem of zombies on their networks.
  • Analysts estimate that about half of all spam messages originate from zombie computers, which can send up to 50,000 to 100,000 unsolicited emails a day.
  • A new extortion scheme involves hackers encrypting files and demanding money to unlock them, with victims being targeted by Trojan horse malware that garbles files and demands a ransom to fix them.
  • Apple's interest in switching to Intel chips may be a ploy to pressure IBM to improve its supply problems, rather than a genuine move to adopt the new technology.
  • Yahoo is testing a new service that allows users to share digital photos without the hassle of attachments, allowing up to 300 photos to be inserted into a single email.
  • The "PhotoMail" service stores full-resolution images on Yahoo computers, allowing recipients to see them by clicking on a thumbnail.
  • iRobot Corp. is developing a robotic mop called Scooba, which can automatically vacuum, scrub, and dry hard floors, and is expected to be available early next year at a price comparable to the company's popular Roomba.

Statistics:

  • 3,000 ISPs are receiving letters from the FTC to help identify and monitor "zombies," or computers infected with malware that send out millions of unsolicited email messages without the owner's knowledge.
  • Over half of all spam messages originate from zombie computers, which can send up to 50,000 to 100,000 unsolicited emails a day.
  • 1.2 million Roomba robotic vacuums have been sold since its introduction three years ago.
  • Scooba, the robotic mop, has two tanks, one for water mixed with cleaning fluid and the other for dirty water, and is expected to be available early next year at a price comparable to Roomba.

Sources:

  • "FTC targets spam with ISP help" by Staff and Wire Reports, The Tampa Tribune, no date.
  • "Spammers infect computers, send out thousands of messages" by Staff and Wire Reports, The Tampa Tribune, no date.
  • "New extortion scheme uses garbled files to demand ransom" by Dan Hubbard, senior director of security and research for Websense, no date.
  • "Apple's interest in Intel chips may be a publicity ploy" by Kevin Krewell, editor in chief of Microprocessor Report, no date.
  • "Yahoo tests new service to share digital photos" by Staff and Wire Reports, The Tampa Tribune, no date.
  • "iRobot Corp. to launch robotic mop early next year" by Colin Angle, chief executive of iRobot Corp., no date.

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