Telecoms, ISPs and software companies are collaborating to form a virtual "neighborhood watch" in an effort to cut spam. The participants are focusing on the technical aspects of killing spam and email viruses at the network level rather than just with content filtering.

Internet Security Systems has acquired additional spam filtering capabilities with its purchase of Cobion. This will increase the security functionality of their Proventia G200 network appliance that incorporates a firewall, intrusion detection, anti-virus, and content blocking.

Microsoft has released its first security patch of 2004 that addresses their Internet Security and Acceleration Server for IP telephony. The vulnerability deals with audio and video over IP, and a buffer overflow filter that could allow malicious users access to the system.

In a review by the British government, security flaws in VoIP and text messaging have come to light in products from Microsoft and Cisco Systems. The problems primarily affect real-time multimedia communications hardware and software using the International Telecommunications Union standard.

On January 16, the big wigs of email will gather at MIT for a conference on spam. Yahoo, one of the bigger proponents of anti-spam, is putting forth their effort, called DomainKeys, that is aimed at checking every incoming email for server programs such QMail and SendMail.

AP writer Anick Jesdanun takes a look at the state of spam and the new tools to combat it. This article details how spam has remained virtually unchanged considering the new spam law and techniques that spammers could use to actually increase the amount of unwanted mail.

With Mohsen Al-Ghosein leaving as vice president of Exchange Server, Dave Thompson, currently with the Windows Server Project Group, will be taking over the position. Though Thompson, who joined Microsoft in 1990, will be taking the reins at Exchange Server, it is unclear whether Al-Ghosein will leave Microsoft entirely.

Yahoo, who has a history of surveying its customers for desired upgrades to its products and services, is looking at customer demand for new features for Yahoo Messenger, such as listening to music while chatting. New additions may also include other things like games, friend icons, and a stealth-mode.

Citibank warned its customers about a fraudulent email, called "phishing," urging them to log into their account to verify that it had not been tampered with. The email claims that some accounts have been blocked due to illegal activities and provides a fake link for customers to log into their account, thereby divulging important personal information.

MX Logic reports that 99% of unsolicited commercial email messages cannot meet the standards of the new CAN-SPAM law. The law, which went into effect on January 1, 2004 stands for "Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003" and seeks to reduce sexually explicit and unsolicited email, as well as outlawing the use of false headers.