FTC Steps Up Fight Against Zombies

WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission in cooperation with agencies in more than 30 other countries will launch a broad-based initiative to fight remote-controlled zombie networks used to spread spam, Don Blumenthal, head of the FTC's Internet lab, told XBiz.

A number of Internet security firms have released reports in recent weeks blaming zombie-infected computers for anywhere between 40 percent and 65 percent of all spam — and placing much of the blame on adult webmasters.

Blumenthal said that on Tuesday his agency will send letters to ISPs around the world outlining steps they should take to combat zombie code.

One provision of the directive that may be of importance to adult webmasters calls for a technique called port-25 blocking, which prevents email from leaving an Internet service provider’s network without flowing through internal servers.

Among other side effects, port-25 blocking can prohibit webmasters from running their own mail servers, a common practice among those who prefer Linux environments.

For the most part, the FTC and its international partners are placing the burden of zombie fighting on ISPs.

In particular, they want ISPs to develop new techniques to spot and isolate computers generating suspect emails and help for customers to rid computers of zombie code.

But representatives of the ISP community have complained that such directives are misdirected and that they are as much victims of zombie attacks as anyone.

“It’s like walking up to a mugging victim and slapping them because they’re contributing to crime,” Dave McClure, president of the U.S. Internet Industry Association, said of the measure.

McClure said most zombie servers are hosted outside the United States and that U.S.-based ISPs have no control over zombie code that is hosted on foreign servers.

But Blumethal points out that many ISPs already are using the best practices his agency is recommending and that the FTC is working with dozens of international counterparts to help ISPs deal with Zombie attacks.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult, Could Face Override

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

WannaCollab has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Show More