Wow, we really will buy anything that is one to a customer...
I had the pleasure of working on a study (beware large file) that was just released today by the Messaging Anti-Abuse Working group (MAAWG) titled, "A Look at Consumers' Awareness of Email Security and Practices" which includes graphs, detailed findings and analysis. The report is free.
I, like many others reading this report or who helped create it, was SURPRISED at the outcome of what some people will do when they get an email. Eight hundred (800) consumers in the U.S. and Canada were asked about their computer security practices habits as well as awareness of current security issues.
A few highlights:
- 48% said that they have never clicked on a spam email (doesn't that means the other half has clicked on or responded to spam?)
- 1/3 said that they were interested in the product or service being offered and admitted to responding to a message they knew was spam (WOW - that's 1 in 6!)
- 17% said that they made a mistake when they responded
- 13% said they simply had no idea why they did it (anything that is one to a customer perhaps?)
- 6% wanted to see what would happen
- between the ages of 24 and 44 are more likely to use email for banking and bill statements (my always right wife and I do)
- 80% of users doubted their computers were at risk of ever being infected with a "bot"
- 2/3's of the 800 polled felt they were somewhat experienced in Internet security. RIGHT!... not by what I read :)
So as many have already noticed, the number of people who still respond to spam is scary because it's an economic incentive to spam per this report. I can't imagine me wanting to respond to the crap in my junk folder just from today!
Take some time to read how people use email today. Down the file and find yourself a nice quiet corner. Let us know your thoughts about this or if you dare let us know if you have ever responded to a spam message.
-Dennis
Don't Just Send, Deliver!
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