Outgoing Spam - A Mounting Problem for ISPs

A report in connection with the problem of outgoing junk e-mail maintains that over 66% of all ISPs globally are encountering a massive expense on account of outgoing spam being generated on their customers' PC networks.

Described as the first of its kind, the research, which Osterman Research conducted with Commtouch's funding, discloses that 68% of ISPs remain forced to spend a yearly expense of over $100,000 to deal with the problem.

Earlier, to study how outbound e-mail exploits impact service providers, Commtouch and Osterman polled ISPs, managed ISPs, Internet portals, and hosting providers across the globe, finding answers for specific queries on junk e-mail and phishing e-mails originating from inside the networks of the survey participants.

Said Osterman Research's founder and president, Michael Osterman, the survey's outcomes had highlighted that service providers within the Internet security industry faced an increasing challenge of safeguarding themselves from spammers who targeted at exploiting their networks. MarketWatch published this on June 2, 2010.

Osterman added that outgoing spam was an increasing concern that made it necessary for service providers to tackle the problem so their businesses remained secured.

The study further disclosed that according to 4% of ISPs, spam originating from their networks cost them more than $250,000 annually. According to Osterman Research, costs because of outgoing spam comprise things like establishing anti-abuse team and IT help-desk.

However, the spam problem has been getting worse as nearly 40% of respondents their IP addresses have been included in the RBL (Real-Time Blackhole Lists) during the twelve months alone that just passed. But not all is disappointing, since almost 70% of ISPs are doing an evaluation of solutions they deployed for tackling the spam problem off their networks. Moreover, nearly 50% of service providers will likely embrace a solution during the forthcoming twelve months.

Vice-president of Products Asaf Greiner stated that ISPs had good skill in tackling incoming e-mail spam; however, as evident from the survey's results as well as the research team's interactions with customers, outgoing spam was a problem the majority was struggling with. MarketWatch reported this on June 2, 2010.

» SPAMfighter News - 6/15/2010