Symantec published today a report that spam attacks via social networks (Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) grew in popularity between April and June 2011 for the purpose of distributing spam, malware and phishing attacks. 

Other statistics of interest is that most of the spam was launched from botnets; 57% of it originated from the United States with another 19% originating from various European countries.

Of course, Symantec reminds it readership that "Needless to say, none of these social network sites are behind these spam attacks. Social networks are employing a variety of techniques to protect users from such attacks and fraudulent activities involving user accounts." [1]

[1] http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/social-network-attacks-surge

-----------

Guy Bruneau IPSS Inc. gbruneau at isc dot sans dot edu

Community SANS SEC 503 coming to Ottawa Sep 2011