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Cyren Security Blog

The Cyren Security Blog is where Cyren engineers and thought leaders provide insights, research and analysis on a range of current cybersecurity topics.

e-Cigarettes – the new Viagra for spammers?

From Wikipedia:

An electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, is an electrical device that attempts to simulate the act of tobacco smoking by producing an inhaled mist bearing the physical sensation, appearance, and often the flavor and nicotine content of inhaled tobacco smoke. The device uses heat, or in some cases ultrasonics, to vaporize a propylene glycol- or glycerin-based liquid solution into an aerosol mist, similar to the way a nebulizer or humidifier vaporizes solutions for inhalation. Nicotine, if present in the liquid solution being used, is absorbed through membranes of the mouth and lungs.

….

The possible benefits or adverse effects of electronic cigarette use are a subject of disagreement among different health organizations and researchers.

This health disagreement has resulted in widely varying and sometimes confusing legislation per country – with some countries banning e-cigarettes, some allowing controlled sales, some relying on local governments to decide, and others permitting open sale to anyone. Naturally, spammers are stepping into this confusion to offer e-cigarettes to anyone with an email address. Some examples received in Russian (with translation):

  • Оптовые поставки электронных сигарет (Wholesale of electronic cigarettes)
  • Е-сигареты опт (E-cigarette wholesale)
  • e-сигараеты из Китая (опт) (E- cigarette Chinese (wholesale))
  • e-сигараеты – из Азии (опт) (E- cigarette – from Asia (wholesale))

A French version promotes the health benefits due to the absence of 4000 unwanted substances found in a normal cigarette. :

The Commtouch Internet Threats Trend Report of April showed a further decrease in pharmacy spam to only 28% (down from 42% in Q4 2010). Spam that pushes e-cigarettes is still nowhere near this percentage – so Viagra spam remains on the top of the heap for now.

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