Infected Windows PCs Now Source Of 80% Of Spam

twitter writes "The Register is reporting a study by Sandvine.com that blames Microsoft Zombies for 80% of all spam. The study goes on to claim that 90% filtering is not effective given the unprecedented volume and that sophisticated trojans are able to drop spam directly on end user's computers despite current efforts. Just another cost of supporting Microsoft, I suppose."

That does it!

[ChadAmberg]

OK, I'm turning SpamAssassin down to .01 points and letting it all get rejected. I just give up!!!

Yes and

[Anonymous Coward]

90% of all statistics are invented. Especially when they bash Microsoft, but certainly not any ones that indicate anything good about Microsoft.

Re:That does it!

[autolycos]

No, just wait til the newest version of Windows, Microsoft Fence Knotholes. Really, that'll stop spam.......

28 Days Later...

[mfivis]

Everyone will have been evacuated from the Windows world.

"Infected Windows PC's"

[MajorG17]

Which translates into Geekish as "PC's Infected with Windows."

I have my doubts about this information ...

[cablepokerface]

I run Windows and there's no sigh that anyone has ever received a spam message from WOULD YOU LIKE A BIG PENIS?! DOUBLE YOUR LENGTH IN 3 WEEKS!! me.

The mass Windows genocide of 2004

[t_allardyce]

Picks up de-gausser.. Gentlemen, i think you know what we need to do. Kachink.

Re:I think MS is not the only one to blame

[slash-tard]

Users are never going to understand computers well enough, just look at how many people cant set the clock on the VCR. You even have security consultants who know little about real security but instead just work as many buzzwords as they can into a sales pitch or security audit.

Microsoft should send out a patch that makes the default to check and apply updates everyday unless you turn it off. This way all the people that have no idea what windows update is or what security patches do will get patched.

Market share

[barcodez]

As Microsoft market share on most its products is usually in the mid 90% range they must be somewhat disappointed by this outcome. I'm sure Longhorn will have much better zombie spam machine .NET support.

Re:Not suprised

[WhiskerTheMad]

Ah, yes. Because we have all kinds of time to keep up with Windows updates. In fact, I find myself scanning windowsupdate.com, forlornly pining for new patches, because my life is so bitter and empty, and downloading patches is the only bright spot in my dreary existance.

Oh, wait, never mind. I just Firewall-And-Forget(TM). Run my windows box behing three layers of security, and I don't have to worry so much about getting patches the second they come out.

Re:NO...

[coolfrood]

But but.... you forgot the URL. I want to see Britney naked NOW!!!11

And the other 20%

[Anonymous Coward]

Comes from pigs [hormel.com].

All right, I'll get my coat.

Re:Will only get worse

[Quixote]

"always avoid even numbered service packs"

You know, the 2K in Win2K is a pretty big even number...

j/k

I know the solution for SPAM problem...

[JollyFinn]

Now that we know top spammers / email marketing firms....
How long would it take for geek population to find the PHYSICAL sites where they are located. And no we wouldn't be interested proofing that they send THE spam we recieved, only fact that they send spam lots of it. Now get AK47 in large quantities, and some explosives and timing based detonators. If 50 or more email marketing sites are attacked at same time all-around the world. With those offices destroyed, and top spammers sleeping with the fishes, how many would think that the email marketing is easy and safe money making business. The punishment maybe on a hard side compared to the crime, but it would simply eliminate Spammers.

To quote Mark Twain...

[Anonymous Coward]

"There are three kinds of lies...lies, damn lies and statistics."

Re:I know the solution for SPAM problem...

[Mz6]

"Now get AK47 in large quantities, and some explosives and timing based detonators. If 50 or more email marketing sites are attacked at same time all-around the world. With those offices destroyed, and top spammers sleeping with the fishes, how many would think that the email marketing is easy and safe money making business. The punishment maybe on a hard side compared to the crime, but it would simply eliminate Spammers"

Man.. What is your terrorist IQ? It sounds high to me.

Re:NO...

[Anonymous Coward]

I clicked you post but nothing happened, FYI I think its broken.

Outraged

[Badanov]

I am totally outraged that Slashdot would use the term 'Zombie' in reference to PC taken over by viruses.

They should be called Borgs.

Re:Will only get worse

[micromoog]

Geez, I hope the same rule doesn't apply to the minor version of the Linux kernel . . .

remote scans of Windows systems?

[Heisenbug]

From the MBSA site:

"MBSA Version 1.2 includes a graphical and command line interface that can perform local or remote scans of Windows systems."

So Microsoft releases a GUI tool to remotely scan Windows installations for security vulnerabilities, and yet it includes virtually *no way* to automatically exploit those vulnerabilities to provide a remote login?

Typical of them to rush an inferior product out the door and rely on marketing muscle to sell it over superior third party alternatives.

Re:I think MS is not the only one to blame

[FedeTXF]

It harms my pockets and the ISP's and exposes kids and teens to penis enlargement adds.

Re:NO...

[Anonymous Coward]

"I want to see Britney naked NOW!!!11"

Hell, I'd be happy with an ASCII art version...

Re:That does it!

[halr9000]

Kick ass. You have female friends? What's that like?

Re:Yet another completely biased Slashdot article

[CaptnMArk]

Don't you mean: everything under the Sun will be running Java?