Could spam and viruses kill off email?
Folk seem to think so, if a world-wide survey by Message Labs, the email security people, is anything to go by (no URL available yet, sorry). They found that 6 out of 10 companies would give up email if the threat posed by viruses, spam and other malware is not contained and a viable alternative emerges.
It seems that people’s concerns are not identical: More than 20 per cent of respondents indicated that online fraud such as phishing and identity theft will be the greatest threat. Viruses achieved a similar rating (21 per cent). Some 18 per cent rated the leakage of confidential or sensitive information as the main issue, while 15 per cent thought the biggest threat would be the potential for industrial espionage.
On one thing, however, folk do agree: More than 40 per cent predict that levels of junk email will more than double over the next 10 years, and a further 24 per cent expect it to rise by more than 50 per cent. Only four per cent think it will be non-existent.
My tuppennies’ worth: Email will get better. It has to, or else spam really will bury us. I think folk should start agreeing on a new system of authentification and a serious way of making it too expensive for people to send bulk email, both financially and legally.
