silicon.com launches 'The Spam Report'

We've all received spam email - whether it be offers of generic Viagra, miracle herbal 'enhancements', septic tanks, consolidated loans, XXX hot girls, university diplomas, unclaimed fortunes, lottery winnings... the list goes on.

In the last year the amount of spam has increased at an alarming rate - to the situation we now find ourselves in where spam makes up more than half of all email traffic worldwide.

In fact the escalation of the problem over the past year has led some industry figures to raise serious concerns about the very future of email as an effective communication tool - with some even daring to suggest it could become unusable.

Last month, even Bill Gates weighed into the debate - expressing his concerns about the effect of a potential spam overload.

As such it's a problem which demands more attention - and that's why silicon.com is launching a Special Report dedicated to the problem of unsolicited email.

Bookmark 'The Spam Report' at http://www.silicon.com/spam and over the next two months we will keep you up to date with all the news, views and opinions which will further the debate on this modern menace.

We are also running a Spam Survey - so please give us 20 seconds of your time to answer the five quick questions.

All of our major columnists, including Peter Cochrane, are on board to bring you their take on the spam problem, while we have also lined up some of the biggest names in the anti-spam industry to discuss the problem with us. Already live is our exclusive 'Ovum View' entitled Is email worth the hassle?

Your feedback will also be vital to us throughout the duration of this Special Report. Email editorial@silicon.com and let us know your views on this subject. If there is a question you've always wanted answered about spam, or an opinion you just want to get off your chest then email editorial@silicon.com.

Just to get you going, here is some of our spam coverage from the past few months:

BT blocked by spam blacklist
House of Lords email debate reveals 'spam' confusion
Are spam blacklists killing legitimate emails?
Billion-email spammer arrested
It's National Anti-Spam Day - so 'Dump the Junk''Nigerian' money scam: What happens when you reply?

And remember, email all your spam queries and questions to editorial@silicon.com