Unauthorized Email Blasts On Your Pc

Having a pretty good track record for avoiding viruses on my computer

, I know I don't take it lightly when Norton Antivirus reports that it has blocked an attempt to install a program on my system. Like many people in my profession, I use every precaution possible to avoid unauthorized intrusions. Despite this, ever more sophisticated attacks leave unprotected systems increasingly vulnerable.

Although the reasons for breaking into networks vary, not every attack is deliberately aimed at infecting files or destroying operating systems. Some hackers use phishing scams to steel personal information while others hijack computers to blast out massive email campaigns.

In a recent undercover operation, an FBI agent ordered via email "Viagra" pills from a Russian man named Oleg Nikolaenko. Nikolaenko is believed to have been responsible at the time for a third of the world's spam emails (up to 10 billion a day). The massive broadcasts, fraudulent email headers as well as misrepresentation of product (actually herbal pills) provided ample opportunity to prosecute the 23-year old man's operation for violation of the CAN-SPAM act.

Accused of creating the MEGA-D spam-bot, a program that controlled a half a million computers according the FBI, Nikolaenko now faces federal prosecution. Nikolaenko's outfit continued to wreak hack until it was shut down by the FireEye network security firm in late 2009.

Nikolaenko will face a possible 3-year prison sentence and $250,000 fine. Considering the money involved in this racket and all the intrusion, stolen bandwidth and deception at stake, the punishment is hardly suited to the crime. The "Spam King" may not have evaded justice entirely, but there are people serving 10 year sentences for doing far less.

If a man can get off this easily for these charges, what is the incentive for being good? Until stiffer penalties are enacted for such conduct, we may as well be leaving our front doors open and a plate of brownies out to welcome criminals.

In a world where a demented individual can deliberately cause great harm to an animal and get off with a single year in prison, I guess this should not come as a surprise. But how do we show people that have little concern for anything but themselves that we are serious when even animal suffering is not considered worthy enough for strict punishment?

Maybe legislation will someday catch up with technology and injustices. Until then, rest assured that restitution is not ensured and no one is truly protected against those who would do us harm.

by: Lina Maria

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