Spammers have a new trick: software known as spyware is
installed on victims' PCs to automatically send personal
information about the victim back to the spammer. The spammer then
uses that information in the subject line of subsequent spam
e-mails.23 Jun 2004
The idea is that by using familiar words and phrases, such as passwords, a pet's name, or a company name, users will be more likely to open the e-mail. Anti-spam software firm MessageLabs said it discovered the use of this new technique last week.
Matt Sergeant, the firm's Senior Anti-Spam Technologist, said:
"If you receive an e-mail with your son or daughters name in the subject line, for example, you're unlikely to delete it. This represents a shift on behalf of some spammers from a random, scattergun approach to a more tailored attack."
Sergeant said it does not yet appear to be a widespread technique, but warned computer users to be on their guard.