UK ISP BTOpenworld has today been singled out as an example of a BIG provider that appears incapable of dealing with a certain style of SPAM, specifically ones with virus infected attachments:

Sure, we can install spam washers and the like, and make sure we're up to date with our anti-viral software, but why do the likes of Yahoo and BT Openwoe not take more active steps to stop channeling this stuff through their big fat pipes?

One of our readers asked Yahoo if it would kindly stop allowing the emails laden with the latest virus through its system – something that's relatively easy to do. He reports the firm reacted with complete indifference.

Do BT Openworld and Yahoo seriously think their customers want this garbage and the virus laden emails purporting to be from Microsoft? We think maybe the big ISPs are acting like sewers and conveying unpleasant objects all around the web, ending up as big stinky poo on your desktop.

Readers may like to note the example picture (HERE) provided by The Inquirer's item. While it's a difficult task to filter junk e-mails (legitimate messages often get erased), most systems can still easily remove those with virus attachments.

The primary reason for this being that 95% of virus infected e-mails come in attachment form (separate file), which are comparatively easy to test.

Consequently there's really no reason why ISPs, especially larger ones, should still allow e-mails with virus attachments through their networks. If this hole were plugged then the online world would be a safer place to surf.