Email spam reaches all-time low after 12 years, as cybercriminals try more effective methods

In the many hours we spend in front of a computer, most of us of course deal with email. Inside that inbox overflowing with new messages, we all get something in common: spam. Undeniably, getting these useless messages can be quite a nuisance. However, there might actually be some hope towards getting less of these in the future.

According to a recent report by computer security company Symantec, email spam has reached an all-time low, with the spam rate dropping significantly to just 49.7%, which is reportedly the first time the rate has fallen below 50% for over a decade. Furthermore, the report stated that it was back in September 2003 when an email spam rate this low was last posted.

However, it's not all good news. Symantec's report further states that while spam rates have indeed decreased, malicious software has taken its place. 57.6 million new variants of malware have reportedly been devised in the past month. This is a notable rise, from 44.5 million recorded back in May, and 29.2 in April, as cybercriminals start to move towards other areas where they can better target innocent people.

Regarding ransomware - software which encrypts computer files, and deems a computer useless while asking for a ransom in order to unlock files - such as Cryptolocker, Symantec also reports a rise with these programs. 477,000 have been recorded in June, and while this is actually a decrease from what was documented from the past year, June reportedly marked the second month in a row that ransomware has seen an increase, after reaching an all-time low back in April of this year.

Symantec has also said that cyber-attacks on the manufacturing industry have dropped to 22%, from 41% in May. Moreover, it was stated that the manufacturing sector is still tops when it comes to targeted attacks, despite being more in alignment to finance, insurance, real estate, and the professional sector.

While this news might mean a decrease in email messages that promise fast weight loss, or instant wealth from Nigerian royalty, it still pays to have a watchful eye while reading our daily serving of electronic mail.

Source: Symantec via Digital Trends | Girl composing email image via Shutterstock