FTC: Who's Spamming Who? Could it Be You?

For the full report go to FTC or click on this link

Who's Spamming Who? Could it Be You?

Spammers may be using your computer to send unsolicited — and possibly offensive — email offers for products and services. Spammers are using home computers to send bulk emails by the millions. Indeed, computer security experts estimate that as much as 30 percent of all spam is relayed by compromised computers located in home offices and living rooms, but controlled from afar. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, spammers can compromise your computer in several ways, depending on what kind of Internet connection you have. All computers connected to the Internet are potential targets, but those with broadband connections are especially attractive to spammers because they are "always on." Spammers scan the Internet, searching for points of entry and then install hidden software that allows remote access to your data and programs. That, in turn, allows the spammer to send messages from your computer. Remote access software also can be installed by a virus: A spammer sends email with a virus in the attachment. If you open the infected attachment, a virus is released that installs the hidden software. The person who sent the virus now can access the data and programs on your computer, or take over many computers and use them to send spam. It can be very difficult to tell if a spammer has installed hidden software on your computer, but there are some warning signs. For example, you may receive emails accusing you of sending spam; you may find email messages in your "outbox" that you didn't send; or your computer is using more power than it has in the past to run the programs you use.

To avoid becoming an unwitting culprit please go to http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/whospamalrt.htm and http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/infosecurity/index.html for more information.
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