Learn About Spam

This one starts off pretty much like the bad speller - watch seller spam but then goes on to amuse me in a way that few spams can. The subject line promises watches, the first paragraph talks about free medical check ups, then credit from some supposed customer and a paragraph promoting their timely delivery, only to finish off with two paragraphs worth of prescription drugs ranting.

The bad spelling in this spam is probably meant to fool Bayesian filters, just like in the above referenced spam. I hope to find time to write an article about the Bayesian algorithm sometime so all of you can understand why spammers are notorious bad spellers. That article will also explain why random text is inserted into spam. If your interested please bookmark this site and come back.

Subject: Brilliant. Automatic. Lovable. From Cartiers and Bvlgary.

Our licenseed GPs check your case history in timely manner. Don’t forget it is zero costs.

Your services are really convenient. With on time delivery, I got the stuff without any delay. I will refer your site to others who like to cut costs on remeedy. — william Deiters in DC.

Our e-zone cooperates with the most experienced loggistic company to ensure timely shipment.

It is quick and convenient way for you to spend on capsules at our website. Our company provides a wide variety of remeedy at the unsurpassed prices.

Choose these marvelous generrics. And be e a smart shoopper.
http://it.geocities.com/Daniel_se54/?KyV776

—– Original Message —–
From: Marc [mailto:Jean@j.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 0, 2005 5:35 AM
To: Vernon; Hassan@anft.com; Jon; Brady; Alva
Subject: Re: Reject this chance to lower the expenditure on branded liniments? No way.
Check the most current specials in our website.

as inevitably to defy the suggestions of very opposite feelings.

glittered and sparkled in the sunshine like colored flames, and the

her look and manner declared, that go she would not.

This is quite a typical spam, how someone can fall for this is beyond me. Why should anyone buy a watch from someone who does not even know how to spell? Notice also the last part of this spam, where some totally irrelevant text has been inserted in an attempt to fool anti spam software.

The bad spelling is probably another attempt to fool our anti spam software. The sender probably thinks we have a bayesian filter (which we do) and therefore tries to insert mis-spelled words. This, they think, will offset the bayesian algorithm enough to let the spam pass. That it didn’t could be because our bayesian is quite well trained, or it could be because that technique is failed to begin with. The bayesian fiters of today are smart enough not to be fooled by such simple spoofs.

Notice also the subject line that doesn’t even attempt to fool us. I seriously can’t remember the last time I sent an email with the subject line “tosha”. The big question is, does it mean anything in any language? Spam are so cheap to send that a subject line in a foreign language attracts enough people.

Subject: RE: tosha

They are good savinngs for people.

These wwatches are made of whole stainless steel and they are durable with greater outlook.

We have automatic & winding, battery & quartz, non-winding and mechanic wattches in our cyberrzone.

See our reflective beauties that have logos and serial number. We are artists that make affordable ones look like the classics.

Cartiers are the finest picks for your lover. You will love our lower costs collections.

Equip your high performance life style with shappire crystal surface, stainless steel casing and waterproof feature of our watcch collections.

[URL Removed]

He was to leave Bath at nine this morning, and does not come back

There being nothing to eat, he could only have some play;

remained silent, not even a dewdrop lay like a tear of sympathy on her

Spam with information about worthwhile stocks drop in almost daily in my inbox (example below). I assume that the target of the spammer is to make as many people as possible to buy stocks. The price then rises and the spammer, who bought last week, can sell his stocks with a nice profit.

Safe to say, no stocks that are promoted (unsolicited) in your inbox will ever make you any money. There are stock information newsletters that do provide useful information but they never end up in your inbox by mistake.

[Company and ticker information removed]
Price: $2.30
5-10 Day’s Target: $8-10

Buy: Strong
Expectations: 300-500%

When this Stock moves… WATCH OUT! … This is your chance to get in while it is still low. [Ticker removed] is a high growth issue and should be purchased by stock traders and those that can afford to make quick money on these fast moving issues. This is your chance to get your hands on one of these fast moving stocks and take short term prof1ts. This stock could reach $10.00 in five to ten trading days.

Big watch in play this Tuesday morning!
Put [Ticker removed] on your radar’s now.

Spams like these can cause Bayesian filters to create stop words that almost singel handedly can prevent wanted mails to reach your inbox. This means that when you register for a newsletter you’ll have to examine your junk mail folder and add the sender to your spam filter whitelist.