Spam isn't just a big nuisance; it's big business as well. So why is spam persisting?

Ferris Research estimates that spam will cost $140 billion worldwide in 2008, of which $42 billion will be in the United States alone. If you compare these
numbers with Ferris's 2007 estimates of $100 billion
and $35 billion, you'll see that the cost of spam has increased substantially over 12 months.

This webinar will address a number of issues relating to the proliferation of spam, including:

Who are the spammers behind this black market, and how do they operate so successfully?

A 95%, 96%, 97%, and even 98% spam catch rate sounds great to organizations being inundated by spam. But is such a solution really as effective as it seems on the surface?

If the catch rate is too low to effectively eliminate spam, are we giving spammers an economic incentive to continue their attacks?

An effective solution should result in a measurable decline in spam-and that's not what's happening worldwide. What's behind the delay?

As spam volumes continue to grow, the need for a spam filter that consistently achieves significantly more accurate filtering with very few and easily identifiable false positives becomes more urgent. Is there such a solution available on the market today?

Recipient reputation appears to be a promising new tool in the fight against spam. When incorporated into a system incorporating real-time centralized message rating, it is projected that very high levels of accuracy can be achieved. What kind of catch rate is possible?

Who: Speakers include:
Richi Jennings, Lead Analyst, Email Security Practice of Ferris Research

Richi is Practice Leader for spam and boundary services. His main interests are Linux, security, spam, viruses (and other malware), large-scale enterprise deployments, TCO, and wireless. Richi has been involved with messaging and collaboration technologies since 1985. Previously, he was CTO at Samsung Contact, where he helped launch Samsung's "Exchange on Linux" startup. Prior to that, he was Chief Architect for OpenMail at Hewlett-Packard. Richi has a bachelor of science degree in cybernetics and computer science from Reading University, England. In addition to his role at Ferris Research, Richi is an independent technology and marketing consultant specializing in email, Linux, wireless, and computer security.

Steve Kirsch, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Abaca Technology Corporation

Steve founded Abaca in 2005 with a vision to create the perfect email spam filter. He has been involved with the Internet and high-tech companies for more than 27 years. Since the early 80s, Steve has founded four successful technology companies. Prior to Abaca, he founded Propel Software, the leader in Internet and email acceleration. Prior to that, he founded Infoseek Corporation, which was acquired by Disney in November 1999. While at Infoseek, Steve was responsible for creating many of the company's award-winning products, including the NetSearch service, Ultraseek Server, Infoseek Express, GO Guides, and GO Auction. Steve's first start-up was Mouse Systems Corporation. Afterward, he founded Frame Technology, which was acquired by Adobe. Steve is also an active philanthropist and, with his wife, Michele, started a $75 million foundation that donates to a wide variety of charitable causes.