Microsoft sues seven sex spammers.

Microsoft has filed seven new lawsuits against hackers who allegedly used third-party PCs to send sexually explicit spam messages that violated rules set down by the USA's CAN-SPAM law and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The seven lawsuits have been filed in Washington State Superior Court in Seattle, against unidentified defendants. It is claimed that spammers violated federal laws and Washington State's Commercial Electronic Mail Act by sending spam email via compromised computers, by failing to include an unsubscribe option or physical mail address and by neglecting to warn recipients that the email included sexually explicit material. It is alleged that hundreds of thousands of spam messages were sent. "Just as explicit adult magazines sold on newsagent shelves must be covered up to avoid causing offence, the subject line of hardcore emails must contain a warning that the enclosed content is sexually explicit,' said Sophos. 'Obviously spammers don't want to do this as it makes the messages more obvious as spam. This part of the CAN-SPAM law gives a good opportunity for legal action to be taken against the spamming community."

A recent study by Sophos revealed that the USA is the largest producer of spam in die world, accounting for approximately 43 percent of all unsolicited emails. Sophos recommends companies protect themselves with a consolidated solution which can defend businesses from the threats of both viruses and offensive spam emails.

www.sophos.com