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Spam Gets Personal

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the only-a-matter-of-time dept.

Vitaly Friedman writes "Two researchers demonstrate how much more effective spam could become if its authors used basic data-mining to personalize their messages. From the article: "North America, though no longer the world leader in spam production, still has serious potted meat problems. A recent research paper out of the University of Calgary suggests that those problems could soon be a lot worse if spam creators adopt a few simple data-mining procedures.""

7 of 141 comments (clear)

  1. what does it mean? by dotpavan · · Score: 4, Funny
    Dear Beloved Dear Mr/Mrs Dearest friend Hi honey

    If this isnt personalized, what more can I expect? :)

    1. Re:what does it mean? by ozmanjusri · · Score: 4, Funny
      Do they have access to my medical file?

      No, you left your webcam on. You should get a better chair, btw.

      --
      "I've got more toys than Teruhisa Kitahara."
  2. Why are we helping spammer? by MrBulwark · · Score: 5, Funny

    And while we are at it, lets publish a paper telling people how to do a better job money laundering, or new way to smuggle cocain into the country.

  3. Re:What else do they have? by MadUndergrad · · Score: 5, Funny

    Really, I think papers on how to pick up girls are would be greatly appreciated by the greater /. community. In fact, it seems only natural that nerds would use papers and research to figure this sort of thing out. It's either that or Vader masks.

  4. They're data mining already! by nekoniku · · Score: 4, Funny

    How else would they know my p3n1z i5 5m@LL?

    --
    "It's a wonderful idea. But it doesn't work." -- Tad Danielewski
  5. meat problems? by Ruvim · · Score: 3, Funny

    So, that's why I get all those VIAGRA messages?

  6. Who paid the researchers? by slashname3 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Damn spammers hiring researchers to figure out better ways to get spam delivered. Don't they teach ethics anymore?

    This also qualifies as a DUH! Of course if you send spam that looks like it comes from someone you know it has a better chance of getting through.