80% of all e-mail is UCE/SPAM

Yeah, I can believe that. Is it really because of CAN-SPAM?

[pendanticist]

[technewsworld.com...]

This article says that and more...

A growing number of so-called bulletproof Web host services offer spam-friendly merchants access to stable offshore computer servers -- most of them in China. Bulk e-mailers are also partnering with virus writers to steal lists of working e-mail addresses and quietly hijack the personal computers of millions.

"...of millions."

So, how much of my ISP fees go to cover this crap?

Last I heard it was roughly 20%.

[moltar]

80%... That's about right with my own stats :) Since october 2003, I received over 35858 spam e-mails. I use spamcop, it counts them for me. And those are only the ones that have been reported by me. There are probably quite a few that went thru to my mail box and I just deleted them.

[pendanticist]

I'd have SC do mine too, at that rate.

This article from the Australian Financial Review [afr.com] mentions:

A survey from Stanford University in December shows that a typical internet user spends about 10 working days a year dealing with incoming spam. Emphasis added by me

Ten working days a year. I'd like to see that study.

What with bullet-proof hosting services and idiots who open / reply / make purchases from UCE/SPAM, it will be a long time until this diminishes.

Is anyone out there teaching folks how to use the Internet, or is it just how to operate your machine and make money?

I see contemporary references frequently which, in my opinion, serve to legitimize UCE/SPAM.

The 'judge' show that asks the plantiff if she is one of those that sends all that e-mail that nobody wants, to whit she replies "Yes" and the audience applauds.

The 'National Network News' show where the announcer mentions that she now has her very own deck of 52 Most Wanted. "Where did you find it?" To whit, she replies "From an e-mail offering them." Betcha that sent the curious back to their inboxes....