Originally published February 26 2006
AOL lists top 10 spam subjects in 2005
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
According to America Online's third annual Top 10 Spam List, the most popular phrases in subject lines for spammers in 2005 were Donald Trump and "penis patch," and the number of spammers using personal-sounding messages in their subject lines, rather than generic pitches, are on the rise.
Donald Trump and "penis patch" were the most popular subject lines used by spammers this year, as the fraudsters grew more sophisticated in trying to trick consumers, America Online said Wednesday in its third annual Top 10 Spam List.
Six out of the 10 top subject lines this year fell into what experts call "special-order spam," which pretend to be from a friend, or part of a legitimate, customer-driven transaction.
Subject lines carrying the name of famous N.Y. business tycoon Donald Trump led the list, with "penis patch" the second most popular phrase.
The number of top 10 spam subject lines replacing generic pitches with more personal come-ons increased dramatically from last year, when only two fell into the special-order spam category, and none in 2003, AOL, a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., said.
For example, this year's list features "your mortgage application is ready," another claims to have sent "you to the wrong site," and others simply say "thank you" or "re:," as if they are responding to the recipient.
"While the volume of spam reaching AOL email inboxes has remained at low levels compared to it's height in late 2003, the spam that's out there is more insidious, crafty, devious, and dangerous than ever," Charles Stiles, AOL's postmaster who helps direct its spam-fighting unit, said in a statement.
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