The share of spam in email traffic decreased steadily in 2012 to hit a five-year low. The average for the year stood at 72.1 per cent – 8.2 per cent points less than in 2011. Such a prolonged and substantial decrease in spam levels is unprecedented – but might well not carry on, according to Kaspersky Lab.
The main reason behind the decline in spam volume is heightened level of anti-spam protection. Spam filters are now active on just about every email system, even those which are free. Many email providers have also introduced mandatory DKIM signature policies (digital signatures that verify the domain from which emails are sent). Another factor behind falling levels of spam is inexpensive advertising on legal platforms. With the emergence of Web 2.0, advertising opportunities on the internet have rocketed thanks to banners, context-based advertising, and ads on social networks and blogs, the IT firm says.
In spite of a drop in the overall percentage of spam in mail traffic, the proportion of emails with malicious attachments fell to 3.4 per cent. This is a large proportion, considering the number only represents emails with malicious attachments and disregards other spam emails containing links to malicious websites. The range of subjects used in malicious emails was extensive in 2012. Previously, malicious users relied on fake notifications from hosting services, social networks, delivery services, and messages from financial and government organisations. In 2012, they expanded to include fake messages from a variety of airlines, hotel reservation and coupon services.
Geographical distribution
The year 2012 saw some major changes amongst the countries which spam originates from. China, which was not in the top 20 sources of spam in 2011, took first place in 2012, accounting for 19.5 per cent of all unsolicited mail. Spam originating in the US came second increasing 13.5 per cent to 15.6 per cent. Asia remains the leading region for spam distribution. Over the year, the region’s share of the world’s junk mail rose 11.2 per cent to over 50 per cent. Due to increased levels from the US, North America took second place in the top 10 with 15.8 per cent — up from just 2 per cent in 2011. At the same time, the amount of spam originating in Latin America fell by 8 per cent to 11.8 per cent. Europe also fell down the ranks. In 2012, the total amount of spam originating in Western and Eastern Europe combined came to 15.1 per cent, approximately half the amount recorded in 2011.
Malicious attachments
The largest number of email antivirus detections in 2012 was recorded in the US. Germany was in first place for several months across the course of the year, but ended up in second place. Third place went to the UK. Russia, which was the number one target in 2011, fell to ninth place in 2012.
Darya Gudkova, Head of Content Analysis and Research Kaspersky Lab, says: “In 2012, the percentage of spam decreased over the course of the year, and during the final three months of 2012 the figure remained below 70 per cent. This drop is the result of a gradual departure of advertisers from spam to other, more convenient and legal means of promoting goods and services. However, that doesn’t mean spam is headed the way of the dodo anytime soon. Malicious spam, fraud, and advertising of illegal goods cannot simply or easily migrate to legal platforms, due to their own inherently criminal nature. We expect that the decline in spam volumes in 2013 will be negligible at best.”
