Menu
04/11/2005
Government and business urged to tackle spam
Government and business urged to tackle spam
The Office of Fair Trading has urged government and businesses to work together and across borders to tackle spam.
The call was made at a summit of international spam enforcement agencies in London on Thursday.
The summit, hosted by the OFT and the European Commission Contact Network of Spam Enforcement Authorities, brought together over 60 public and private sector agencies from over 27 countries to promote cross-border cooperation on spam and spam-related problems, such as on-line fraud and computer viruses.
All the agencies have signed the London Action Plan, which was launched last year in order to develop international cooperation and coordination on spam and spam-related problems.
The conference included sessions on effective collection of spam data by enforcement agencies; the authentication of email; multi-country spam enforcement and investigative assistance across borders; and the development of an efficient international case referral system.
Bulk unsolicited electronic messages account for over 66% of all e-mail traffic on the Internet – equivalent to 2 out of 3 emails. Around 25.5 million spam messages were sent in 2004 alone.
Spam e-mail is frequently linked to fraudulent, deceptive or pornographic commercial activities. It is also estimated that over 80% of spam received by UK Internet users originates from overseas.
The OFT has a number of tips to avoid spam e-mails. These are:
“The London Action Plan is fast proving its value as a unique partnership that brings together different government agencies and business to combat spam. The interaction of business and government must go further.”
(KMcA/GB)
The Office of Fair Trading has urged government and businesses to work together and across borders to tackle spam.
The call was made at a summit of international spam enforcement agencies in London on Thursday.
The summit, hosted by the OFT and the European Commission Contact Network of Spam Enforcement Authorities, brought together over 60 public and private sector agencies from over 27 countries to promote cross-border cooperation on spam and spam-related problems, such as on-line fraud and computer viruses.
All the agencies have signed the London Action Plan, which was launched last year in order to develop international cooperation and coordination on spam and spam-related problems.
The conference included sessions on effective collection of spam data by enforcement agencies; the authentication of email; multi-country spam enforcement and investigative assistance across borders; and the development of an efficient international case referral system.
Bulk unsolicited electronic messages account for over 66% of all e-mail traffic on the Internet – equivalent to 2 out of 3 emails. Around 25.5 million spam messages were sent in 2004 alone.
Spam e-mail is frequently linked to fraudulent, deceptive or pornographic commercial activities. It is also estimated that over 80% of spam received by UK Internet users originates from overseas.
The OFT has a number of tips to avoid spam e-mails. These are:
- use a spam filter – often available with your email package
- if you do not know who the email is from – delete it
- do not respond to an unsolicited email by giving anyone your bank or credit card details
- do not click on the adverts in spam emails – if you do, you may download a virus
- protect your email address – never share it with people you don’t know on the Internet
“The London Action Plan is fast proving its value as a unique partnership that brings together different government agencies and business to combat spam. The interaction of business and government must go further.”
(KMcA/GB)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 October 2003
America's turning off email over spam fears: survey
The recent explosion of email spam is beginning to take its toll on the Internet world, according to a nationwide US survey. The report, entitled “Spam: Hurting email and degrading the Internet environment,” by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, found that 25% of America’s email users say they are using email less because of spam.
America's turning off email over spam fears: survey
The recent explosion of email spam is beginning to take its toll on the Internet world, according to a nationwide US survey. The report, entitled “Spam: Hurting email and degrading the Internet environment,” by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, found that 25% of America’s email users say they are using email less because of spam.
22 May 2003
Yahoo kicks off anti-spam campaign
Email users are being asked to trash junk mail as Yahoo kick off the first global anti-spam day of protest. Unsolicited junk email, spam, is credited with contributing to worker stress, but also now internet experts are warning that as a marketing tool it may be becoming unusable.
Yahoo kicks off anti-spam campaign
Email users are being asked to trash junk mail as Yahoo kick off the first global anti-spam day of protest. Unsolicited junk email, spam, is credited with contributing to worker stress, but also now internet experts are warning that as a marketing tool it may be becoming unusable.
11 October 2004
Global cooperation needed to stop spam scams, says OFT
Global cooperation on network security, law enforcement and heightened consumer awareness is needed to help shield internet users from spam, according to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
Global cooperation needed to stop spam scams, says OFT
Global cooperation on network security, law enforcement and heightened consumer awareness is needed to help shield internet users from spam, according to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
19 September 2003
Government moves to outlaw spam
New government moves to tackle the nuisance of spam or junk emails and give phone and internet users more control over how their personal details are used have received a mixed response.
Government moves to outlaw spam
New government moves to tackle the nuisance of spam or junk emails and give phone and internet users more control over how their personal details are used have received a mixed response.
02 July 2004
International alliance forges anti-spam strategy
A ground-breaking international deal aimed at tackling the global menace of spam has been agreed between the UK, United States and Australia, Communications Minister Stephen Timms announced today.
International alliance forges anti-spam strategy
A ground-breaking international deal aimed at tackling the global menace of spam has been agreed between the UK, United States and Australia, Communications Minister Stephen Timms announced today.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Bright spells with a few showers continuing through this evening. Some drier, clearer periods in the early hours, before cloud builds and showers turn more persistent towards dawn. Minimum temperature 4 °C.
