🚀 go-pugleaf

[Please note that I removed alt.sources.mac from my post.]

In article <rcook-3112971452150001@ppp06.bais.com>, rcook@bais.com (Rich Cook) wrote:

>  Just wanted to add my $0.02.  What I find works really well at a location
>  where I get lots of spam (at work), is to filter on the characters
>  frequently found in spam, e.g., $$$, !!!, SEX, money, wealth, riches, ***,
>  spare time, etc.  When I notice a spam get through, I add a new filter on
>  some characteristic.  Spammers all seem  to use similar subject lines.

I'm among those who employ filters on the server to eliminate Spam
and perform other mail tasks such as auto replies, email to fax or
pager etc. Thus, it's redundant for me to use Eudora filters for
placing Spam in one box so it can be eliminated in one fell swoop.
However, there are times when I wished I'd set up Eudora to only
retrieve message headers as I can't filter out all Spam and expect
to receive all legitimate messages. Fortunatelly, I'm only receiving
two or three a day and make liberal use of Eudora's Delete button
before opening the message.

I suggest taking action on two fronts, three if you're inclined
to directly complaining about Spam to the host where it originated
and/or was relayed from.

First, either demand your Provider maintain a closed SMPT server.
Only mail sent from your Provider's hosted domains will be allowed
to be sent. If he refuses, find a Provider who maintains a closed
SMPT server. Otherwise, your Net access may be limited and mail sent
from your server may be refused by the recipient server. Numerous
networks are refusing mail from domains with open SMTP servers used
by spammers. Some refuse all connections from those domains. Any
mail sent to me from one of these servers identified and tagged by
the RBL (MAPS Realtime Blachole List) is automatically returned
with an explanation and a referral to the MAPs site.

<http://maps.vix.com/rbl/>

Second, insist that your Provider has and maintains an adequate
filtering system that you can employ. If he refuses or simply
allows you to opt in to a list of banned domains, take your
business elsewhere. Islandnet (my Provider) has and maintains
one of the better filtering options. Of course only Islandnet
users have access to it but it's worth a look to know what's
possible.

<http://www.islandnet.com/pep.html>

Lastly, bear in mind if you're inclined towards complaining
about Spam or performing other tasks such as sabatoging their
websites or publishing their identities and/or domains that
you may be dealing with folks who live off the avails of Spam.
I'm referring to Providers who are either spam-friendly or
spam-neutral. They're no better or worse than the scum they
cater to. If you piss them off too much they simply threaten
you with a lawsuit. You tell them where to go and how to get
there so they threaten your Provider. Your commercial Provider,
being a business is likely to cancel your account rather than
chancing the cost of a potential lawsuit; regardless of the
legitimacy of your actions.

I don't know of any way to stop Spam completely. Even if junk
fax law type legislation is enacted in certain countries,
operations will simply move to a non-signator country. Unlike
faxes, there's no extra charge for distance a message travels
on the Net. I think we'll get a lot further towards eliminating
it by focusing attention and actions on making it as expensive
as possible for spammers to operate. To that end, everyone can
contribute by simply ignoring the Spam. That is, we don't respond
as they would like, no matter what they're offering or how good
their message sounds.

-- 
Barry Cameron          barry@islandnet.com
Victoria, B.C. CANADA