Security news
Security news17 October 2005
Suspected spam king Ralsky has email operations suspended after FBI raid
 |
| Ralsky is said to send 100 million emails every day. |
According to media reports, the man accused of being one of the world's biggest spammers has had his operations shut down following a raid by the FBI.
Documents released last week reveal that Alan M. Ralsky's 8,000 square foot Detroit-based home was raided in September by authorities who seized computers, laptops, disks and financial records. 60-year-old Ralsky's $750,000 property is said to have been funded by the profits from the 100 million emails that he is believed to send every day. The home of Ralsky's son-in-law, Scott Bradley, was also raided.
Ralsky claims that he is not a spammer, but a legitimate email marketer who abides by the law.
"Alan M. Ralsky is notorious in the spam world, and has had a series of run-ins with the authorities over the years. Politicians who have sponsored anti-spam bills have singled him out as one of the worst offenders when it comes to junk email," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos. "Many will be watching closely to see if this is the beginning of the final chapter of the Ralsky story, or whether he will emerge unscathed and continue sending bulk email."
Sophos recommends companies protect themselves with a consolidated solution which can defend businesses from the threats of both spam and viruses; and that users do not open or reply to unsolicited emails.
