SEATTLE, USA: Microsoft Corp claimed credit on Thursday for taking down one of the biggest producers of spam e-mail in a joint effort with federal authorities across the United States.
The world's biggest software company said its legal action against the operator of the Rustock 'botnet' -- or network of infected computers programmed to send spam e-mail -- led to raids across the country on Thursday which effectively shut the network down.
Sharp dip in spam e-mail from Rustock
Tech security bloggers who follow the activities of botnets worldwide noticed earlier on Thursday a sharp dip in spam e-mail coming from the Rustock network, which some estimate is responsible for almost half of the spam appearing in inboxes. However, they warned that total eradication requires long-term efforts.