Are Empty E-Mails a Threat

A new phenomenon is occurring on the web. People are receiving e-mails from famous, but long dead authors. The interesting aspect is that the e-mails once opened are empty. This activity has most computer users scratching their heads.



Empty e-mails can be a forewarning of many types of scams. The first and most obvious use of these transactions is to gather legitimate e-mail addresses that are stored and sold to spamming operations. Each legitimate e-mail can be sold for two to ten cents.



A second reason for this e-mail storm could be a test of zombie networks. A zombie network is formed by a hacker or group of hackers that download programs on PCs without the authorization of the computer owner. The network is then placed into service by the network commander, mailing millions of bogus e-mails to unsuspecting users around the world through the captured PCs.



The third reason these empty e-mails may be to expand zombie networks. Programs may have been developed to automatically load malware when the empty e-mail is opened. This threat has been mentioned before, but not fully documented.



In any event, you should be very careful of items landing in you inbox. If you do not know the sender of a message or the subject line seems bogus, simply delete it without opening. Although some spam carries instructions to unsubscribe, my advice to not even respond. By answering in any manner you have verified a valid e-mail address. This action could simply increase the amount of unwanted e-mail received, or may even wreak more havoc with your PC.



Another important point is that the subject line often will show “Re:” or “Fwd:” in the subject line. If the e-mail is from someone you know and contains either of these items in the subject line, be sure that you know the original e-mail address which the reply references. In a forwarded e-mail, make sure the message is one you are expecting before opening.