Aust joins international spam fight

Australia has joined the United States and the UK in a scheme which is designed to encourage cooperation in fighting cross-border spam.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between organisations in the three countries in a bid to more effectively fight cross-border spam.

The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will be among the organisations taking part.

Dr Bob Horton, acting chairman at the ACA, said the MoU would include exchanging best practice and policy ideas. It would also allow the organisation to conduct joint investigations into "serious spam violations".

"Most of the spam coming into Australia comes from overseas, so tackling the problem has to be through a global, multi-pronged approach blending regulation, self-regulation and industry initiatives, technical solutions and user awareness," Horton said.

"Increasingly we are seeing the spammer's technology being used for hacking attacks on computers and for theft and other crime which makes it even more critical that we take concerted action," he added.