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Personalized Spam Rising Sharply, Study Finds

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the no-i-don't-want-a-yearbook dept.

designperfection9 writes "A new study by Cisco Systems Inc. found an alarming increase in the amount of personalized spam, which online identity thieves create using stolen lists of e-mail addresses or other poached data about their victims, such as where they went to school or which bank they use."

8 of 142 comments (clear)

  1. 30% of all Web traffic? by alain94040 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    From the article:

    The latest study was based in part on [Cisco's] ability to monitor 30 percent of all Web and e-mail traffic

    I hope the journalist misunderstood something, otherwise all my fears about the NSA just got crunched.

    --
    iPhone Apps review site looking for bilingual testers

    1. Re:30% of all Web traffic? by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 5, Funny

      Not to worry. The NSA monitors 100% of all Web and e-mail traffic! Thanks to The New AT&T: Your World, Delivered. To the NSA.

      --
      My blog
  2. Anti-spam Legislation by unlametheweak · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's a good thing there is anti-spam legislation.

    1. Re:Anti-spam Legislation by oldspewey · · Score: 5, Funny

      Your response demonstrates a ...

      [ ] clueless
      [x] sarcasm-based
      [ ] battlescarred
      [ ] well informed

      ... approach to interpreting spam stories ...

      --
      If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
  3. Pretty scary by spyrochaete · · Score: 5, Informative

    I received one spam email this year which was addressed to me, using my proper first, middle, and last name, as well as my old address back from when I used to live with my parents. The only place I would have volunteered this information online was the Monster job website several years back. I emailed Monster, rather furious at how lax their privacy was. They confirmed that this was their fault but were completely unapologetic.

    Fortunately (I think) I never received a second email like this.

  4. Very personalized... by jshackles · · Score: 5, Funny

    How did they know I was looking for penis enlargement pills and cheap viagra?!?!

  5. Now I am going to be worried by Chrisq · · Score: 5, Funny

    Personalized Spam Rising Sharply

    Now I am going to be worried every time I get one of those adverts for penis enlargement

    ....who told them?

    1. Re:Now I am going to be worried by DevConcepts · · Score: 5, Funny

      Just got an email...
      With the success of Viagra, many new performance drugs for men go into development:

      --PROJECTRA: Men given this experimental new drug were far more likely to actually finish a household repair project before starting a new one.

      --COMPLIMENTRA: In clinical trials, 82% of middle-aged men noticed that their wives had a new hairstyle. Currently being tested to see if its effects extend to noticing new clothing.

      --BUYAGRA: Married men report a sudden urge to buy their wives gifts after taking this drug for only two days. Still to be ascertained: whether the results extend to not minding when women spend money on themselves.

      --ANTI-AGRA: Promises the exact opposite effect of Viagra. Currently undergoing clinical trials on U.S. Senators.

      --NOSPORTAGRA: This drug makes men want to turn off televised sports and actually converse with other family members.

      --FLATULAGRA: This complex drug converts men's noxious intestinal gases into air freshener.

      --FLYAGRA: This drug shows great promise in treating men with O.F.D. (Open Fly Disorder).

      --LIAGRA: This drug helps men lie more successfully when asked about their sexual affairs. Will be available in Regular, Grand Jury and Political Strength versions.