Economics of Spam

1. The value of password theft

Microsoft Research published an interesting paper on the value of password theft for banking.  They state that stealing passwords is the easiest part of the chain, and that getting real money out of banking accounts requires a mule, someone to act as the middle-man and eventually take the loss.

A large number of emails that are posted on this blog involve setting up a mule, someone interested in the easy money of a stay-at-home job, acting as a transfer agent or secret shopper. There are many spams that purport to be from major banks, asking you to verify transactions (or present fraudulent transfers and ask to reverse them).  I generally don't post them here, as they are simple (and boring).

Summary: People who have their passwords stolen generally do not lose money, those acting as mules do.

http://research.microsoft.com/pubs/161829/EverythingWeKnow.pdf

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Be fore warned this is what the F@$!#ing jackasses are doing now.....


Attention please your Urgent reply is needed from MELANIA TRUMPON BEHALF AND AUTHORIZED RIGHT OF PRESIDENT DONALD JOHN TRUMP.

I'M MRS.MELANIA TRUMP AND THE CONTENT OF BELLOW MESSAGE IS SIGNED AND APPROVED BY UNITED BANK OF AMERICA.

moreover,in respect of fact the sum of $60 million united dollars was instructed to transfer on your favor through check draft,And i wish to let you know that every necessary things has been accessed by IMF on the economic recovery program done by united state embassy in government house of Benin Republic for victim who lost fund to con African artist ,And you have nothing to be worried about.

Bellow is the required information i need from you so that the delivery of your check draft will commence immediately today

Name________________________
Country_____________________
CITY________________________
text phone No_______________
Your home address___________
AGe_________________________
A copy of your ID___________
valid Email Address__________
password_____________________

We advice you to prohibit any other transaction you are having with an unknown source to avoid regret there after.And we urge you to comply fast with the managerial demands so that you can have your legit check book with immediate effect as instructed from White house(Washington DC)
Email (mrsmelaniatrump202@gmail.com)
Thanks and always be bless