Authorities target 'zombie' threat

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is teaming up with law enforcement agencies from across the world to track down zombies, in an operation that could potentially draw many small businesses into its net.

While many staff may look like the undead on Monday mornings, the OFT is actually in search of computers hijacked by spammer software, known as 'zombies'.

Once hijacked, hackers can use a host computer to send out mass mailings of spam messages without the computer owner's knowledge, meanwhile hiding their own identity from the authorities.

The growing problem poses a risk to many small businesses and entrepreneurs working from home who generally have weaker firewalls and security systems guarding their computers.

Operation 'Spam Zombies' will aim to identify computers sending unusual amounts of e-mail and, if necessary, quarantine the affected computer until the problem is eradicated. The organisation will also provide tools to those confident enough to tackle the zombie code on their own.

The OFT and its partners are urging Internet Service Providers (ISPs) around the world to pay more attention to the problem and to implement corrective measures.

"This is the latest phase of the international effort by the members of the London Action Plan to tackle the problem of unsolicited spam e-mails," said Sir John Vickers, chairman of the OFT.

"Spam is often the channel for scams and viruses," he added. "This operation aims to work with ISPs and the computer and communications industry to protect consumers from spam."