Servers can be used and abused by spammers to send their messages and hide the origin of their messages by exploiting open relays and open proxies which allow any computer in the world to "bounce" or route e-mail through servers of other organisations, thereby disguising the real origin of the e-mail.
Open relays are configured to accept and deliver e-mail on behalf of any user anywhere, including third parties with no relation to the owner or owner's organisation.
Open proxies are servers installed to be the only machine on a network that directly interacts with the web, providing a more efficient web browser. If the proxy is not properly configured, it may allow unauthorised internet users to connect through it to other hosts on the internet, thus proliferating the spread of junk mail.
Spammers often abuse these servers to flood the internet with unwanted e-mail. Their abuses not only overload servers, but also could damage an unwitting business's reputation if it appears that it sent the spam.
Accordingly the FTC has launched the "Secure Your Server" campaign with the support of the UK's Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Office of the Information Commissioner's Office and the Office of Fair Trading. Twenty-six nations worldwide have signed up to the initiative, including Korea, Japan, Brazil, Argentina and Taiwan.
The scheme works through advisory letters sent by the FTC to server owners.
This letter will not suggest that the recipient is violating any laws; rather it will highlight the problems caused by insecure servers and suggest ways to secure them in order to reduce spam. Securing a server, says the DTI, can be achieved easily and with no, or very low cost.
Communications Minister Stephen Timms welcomed the initiative:
"Spam is an international problem and we can't eliminate it on our own, it demands international co-operation."