Major ISP Announces Second Annual 'Top 10 Spam Terms'

On the 'outs' are old spam terms such as "Oprah", "Teens", and "Viagra". The new 'in' spam terms for 2004 relate to 'phishing' scams, dubious mortgage deals, online pharmacy items such as Vioxx, and stock offers, according to America Online. AOL recently released a list of most widely sent junk e-mail subject lines for 2004. The list is based on analysis of spam reports forwarded to AOL's Antispam and Postmaster teams by AOL members during the 2004 calendar year -- much of it collected in the aggregate via use of the popular "Report Spam" button on AOL.

"AOL members and all online consumers should make one of their New Year's resolutions a cleaner, less cluttered e-mail inbox," said Charles Stiles, manager of the Postmaster team within AOL's Antispam Operations group. "We're already working hard behind the scenes to can the spam and hammer the spammers. But online users can help too - by taking these spam terms and updating the spam-blocking tools on their Internet software. This will help them block even more spam in 2005".

Spam - how did it change from 2003 to 2004?: AOL noted that the "flavor" of spam changed noticeably in the Top 10 list from 2003 to 2004.

First and foremost was the rise in spam e-mails carrying "phishing", or identity theft scams, which included information/data theft schemes, those citing 'inheritances' to be collected, and the infamous "Nigerian" scam. Second, there was a switch by spammers to more text-based spam instead of image-based spam, especially as it pertains to adult-themed junk e-mails. Third, there was much less so-called "porn spam" in 2004 as compared to 2003. Fourth, much more spam in 2004 contained simply a URL address or hyperlink, and nothing else.

Lastly, AOL noted that the type of spam isn't the only thing that's changed in 2004: the kind of spammer sending has also undergone a 'virtual makeover'. The Company stated that spammers have become more "sophisticated, nefarious, shadowy, devious, deceitful, sneaky, malicious, and - unfortunately - dedicated" in the manner in which they send spam. Gone are most 'small-time' spammers, and what is left are the 'hardcore, kingpin spammers' that AOL says it will continue to vigorously target in 2005.

Consumer Tips for Fighting Spam in 2005:

AOL's Stiles also offered the following consumer tips for fighting spam in 2005: first, report as much spam as possible to your ISP...the more consumers report spam, the more it will help ISPs block it; second, review and 'fine-tune' your Spam Folder regularly, as this will help customize and personalize consumers' e-mail experience, and will help increase the amount of good e-mail consumers get in their main e-mail inbox and divert bad e-mail to the Spam Folder; third, use the 'unsubscribe' link in e-mails you get from known, trusted marketers if you don't want to be on their e-mail list anymore...abiding by consumers' requests to unsubscribe is now Federal law under the "CAN-SPAM" act.

AOL's 'Top 10 Spam E-mail Subject Lines' of 2004**:

1. "We carry the most popular medications" (Vioxx appeared often*)
2. "You've been sent an Insta-Kiss!" (phishing/ID theft scam*)
3. "You Have 17 New Pictures" (phishing/ID theft scam*)
4. "STEAMY HOT LESBIAN ACTION LIVE ON CAMERA!"
5. "All orders are shipped from authorized locations" (re: online medications*)
6. "2005 Digital Cable Filters"
7. "F R E E* 30 Second Pre-Qualification MORTGAGE Application"
8. "HURRY HURRY Hot Stock on the RISE"
9. "Sale PRICES ARE BEST ONLINE!"
10. "Breaking news on the Top Pick stock"

* Italics in parentheses above are AOL's own notations.
** Source: AOL. This list is unscientific, and is not in any specific order. The cited e-mail subject headers are not ranked by volume within the Top 10 list.
*** Last year's Top 10 list is available at here.