Spam Percentages
| 
|
Percentages
of Total Internet
Email Identified as Spam |
| March
2004 |
63% |
| February
2004 |
62% |
| January
2004 |
60% |
| December
2003 |
58% |
| November
2003 |
56% |
| October
2003 |
52% |
| September
2003 |
54% |
| August
2003 |
50% |
| July
2003 |
50% |
| June
2003 |
49% |
| May
2003 |
48% |
| April
2003 |
46% |
|
Spam Categories
Percentage
|
Category
|
Description
|
| 25% |
PRODUCTS
|
Email
attacks offering or advertising general goods
and services
Examples:
Devices, Investigation services, Clothing,
Makeup
|
| 20% |
FINANCIAL
|
Email
attacks that contain references or offers related
to money, the stock market or other financial "opportunities."
Examples:
Investments, Credit reports, Real estate,
Loans
|
| 15% |
ADULT
|
Email
attacks containing or referring to products
or services intended for persons above the
age of 18, often offensive or inappropriate.
Examples:
Porn, Personal Ads, Relationship advice
|
| 7% |
INTERNET |
Email
attacks specifically offering or advertising
Internet or computer related goods and services
Examples:
Web hosting, Web design, Spamware |
| 7% |
HEALTH
|
Email
attacks offering or advertising health-related
products and Services
Examples:
Pharmaceuticals, Medical treatments, Herbal
remedies
|
| 7% |
SCAMS |
Email
attacks recognized as fraudulent, intentionally
misguiding, or known to result in fraudulent
activity on the part of the sender
Examples:
Nigerian investment, Pyramid Schemes, Chain
letters |
| 6% |
LEISURE
|
Email
attacks offering or advertising prizes, awards,
or discounted leisure activities
Examples:
Vacation offers, Online casinos, Games
|
5%
|
FRAUD
|
Email
attacks that appear to be from a well-known
company, but are not. Also known as "brand
spoofing" or "phishing", these messages
are often used to trick users into revealing
personal information such as email address,
financial information and passwords.
Examples:
Account notification, Credit card verification,
Billing updates |
2%
|
POLITICAL
|
Messages
advertising a political candidate's campaign,
offers to donate money to a political party
or political cause, offers for products related
to a political figure/campaign, etc.
Examples:
Political party, Elections, Donations
|
| 1% |
SPIRITUAL
|
Email
attacks with information pertaining to religious
or spiritual evangelization and/or services
Examples:
Psychics, Astrology, Organized religion,
Outreach
|
| 5% |
OTHER |
Emails
attacks not pertaining to any other category |
|
 |
|
