I did google "Organized Crime and Spam", and read several of the articles. So I posted some of the comments from a couple of them and included the SOURCES. But as you read the actual articles you will probably be left with the impression, well are they or are they not? The author of the first one made me think of the way some politicians flip-flop just prior to the elections
“Computer Viruses and Organized Crime: The Inside Story (Featuring Erik Laykin of OnlineSecurity)”
Author: Jack M. Germain
http://www.onlinesecurity.com/links/links613.phpInternet security experts are divided on the source and purpose of computer viruses and worms like Blaster and SoBig. But some government agencies are investigating a possible connection between the increasing spread of infected computers and organized crime.
Investigations have not yielded definitive proof yet about links between viruses and organized crime...
Such theories have no credence. There are already plenty of open relays available. There are easier ways of spamming than risking prosecution [by planting back doors with the use of viruses and Internet worms]," said Jerry Brady, chief technology officer of Guardent, a managed security services and consulting services company.
"That business model just wouldn't fit," he said. "Spammers wouldn't want the notoriety."
http://www.accountancyage.com/News/1135797Mafia muscles in on spam and viruses
By Iain Thomson [09-12-2003]
Organised crime is looking at how it can make money from spam and virus writing, which means attacks may become less common than now but more dangerous, according to a Russian antivirus expert.
Well I guess it's a definite "maybe"
Cheers
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