Gmail spam uses fake addresses to spread malware
Gmail spam is on the rise. Spammers are using fake Gmail accounts to clog up inboxes, making "Gmail.com" the most abused domain name, according to Commtouch's quarterly Internet Threats Trend Report, released Wednesday.
Only 1% of spam e-mails sent from Gmail addresses are actually from real Gmail accounts, and "this small percentage is likely to represent a mix of spammers and compromised Gmail accounts," Commtouch says.
Overall, "between 5 to 10% of all spam appears to originate from Gmail accounts," Commtouch says. "Addresses are typically faked in order to fool anti-spam systems and to give the impression of a reputable, genuine source."
