For example, an e-mail like 'admin@microsoft.com' was designed to look like a notification update for the popular IE7 web browser, complete with a disclaimer from the Microsoft site. However, users who clicked on the link were hit with a nasty executable file.

Blocking bots

According to Cyberoam, reputation-based solutions are continuously improving in ability to block bots, with about 55 per cent of bots having a lifespan as short as one day. However, Cyberoam also noted that such solutions need to be continuously updated to maintain accuracy.

The UTM solutions provider claims to use Commtouch RPDTM technology to analyse large volumes of internet traffic in real-time. Unlike traditional spam filters, the technology does not rely on e-mail content, and is hence able to detect spam in any language, and in every message format, Cyberoam said.

Cyberoam also claims to incorporate this technology within its identity-based UTM appliances.