August 25, 2004 — (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — The United States leads the rest of the world in spam, according to the antivirus company Sophos (sophos.com). The country is responsible for exporting 43 percent of all spam, leading the “dirty dozen” list of the top 12 spam-producing nations.
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The top 12 spam-producing countries, according to Sophos, are the United States, at 43 percent; South Korea, at 15 percent; China (including Hong Kong) at 12 percent; Brazil, at 6 percent; Canada, 3 at percent; Japan, at 3 percent; Germany, at 1 percent; France, at 1 percent; Spain, at 1 percent; United Kingdom, at 1 percent; Mexico, at 1 percent; and Taiwan at 1 percent. Other nations accounted for 12 percent of all spam.
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As the most broadband-connected country in the world, South Korea, is solidifying its position as a leading producer of spam, nearly tripling the percentage of spam originating from its shores since February.
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Most PCs that send out spam are likely to have had their broadband connections exploited by remote hackers. Zombie computers ? PCs that are controlled by hackers or virus writers ? send out approximately 40 percent of the world’s spam, without even being detected by victims, says Sophos.
