In the Conflict Against Junk E-mail, the Human is the Easiest Exploited

Deploying technologies such as malicious software protection, spam filtering, web proxies, and firewalls, corporations continuously try to protect information and data assets. Keeping up with the latest scams, exploits, and security updates requires continuous vigil, and the spammers keep the pressure on by endlessly broadening the footprints, complexity, and heavy volume of junk e-mail they send out. Many junk e-mail filters are unable to keep up with the many variations of email threats. A rising percentage of them are not containing a damaging payload (thereby avoiding email security that depends on malware signatures), but instead try to tempt users into clicking on web sites which are cable of "drive-by" infections. In other words, simply visiting one of these internet sites can infect a user's machine. Promises of free music, ring tones, software, or photos provide incentives to visit these web sites.

These attacks rely on traits of human nature - looking for something for nothing, curiosity, and even lust - to lure people into clicking on the websites. The assurance in the level of corporate security against spyware and other forms of malware is raising, which is the main cause of this. This "wetware," as spammers and other malware creators call it, is leading to them raising the social aspects of their assaults in order to take advantage of advances in social networking sites. To safeguard against such assaults, organizations are employing intelligent technology, including thumb rules, and analytical frameworks to enforce their strict antispam policies.

Well-educated end users will help extinguish the weaknesses posed by "wetware." Targetting the human component of security measures by sending deceptive e-mails is usually referred to as phishing. When the assailant has some basic information on the victim, these assaults are really targeted and effective, these attacks are usually referred to as spear phishing.

Christopher is an Data Security Advisor for Lexan Systems L.L.C. and creator of MX Police the managed Spam Blocker. You are welcome to reproduce this article on your System Security associated site, provided as you reproduce the article in full, including this resource box and links to our websites.

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