Top Spam Categories

The most common type of spam detected in the first half of 2007 was related to commercial products, which made up 22 % of all spam detected during this period. This is a slight increase from the previous period when this category made up 21 % of detected spam. Commercial product spam usually consists of advertisements for commercial goods and services. It is frequently used to sell designer goods, such as watches, handbags and sunglasses. There is financial motivation since the goods sold are often counterfeit and can be sold at a profit. Spam related to financial services made up 21 % of all spam in the first six months of 2007, making it the second most common type of spam during this period.

Source: Symantec Internet Security Threat Report, Vol. XII