Australian sent 56 million spam emails

Australia has found its first spammer guilty under the Australian Spam Act.

Western Australia-based spammer Wayne Mansfield and his company Clarity1, were found to have illegally sent more than 56 million spam messages to email addresses around the world during the twelve months since the Act was introduced in April 2004.

Justice Nicholson, of the Federal Court in Perth, rejected defence pleas that recipients had consented to receive the spam emails. The federal court will determine what penalty Mansfield should receive at a later date.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at security company Sophos, said:
"The Australian Communications and Media Authority should be applauded for presenting a thorough case against Wayne Mansfield, and for cutting off the tidal wave of spam originating from his company.

"Australia's Spam Act is a positive step towards eradicating spam from down under. However, it is only through the combination of international cooperation, legislation, law enforcement, technology and user education that will spell the end for spam."

Sophos recommends companies protect their email gateways against viruses, spyware and spam.

http://www.sophos.com