Date: Fri, 02 May 1997 11:02:43 -0400 From: John Duncan <jddst19+@pitt.edu> To: freebsd-hackers@freebsd.org Subject: Re: SPAM target Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19970502110243.007b3dc0@pop.pitt.edu>
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I've always wondered this, which doesn't apply in this case. Why doesn't the government regulate addresses such that all sender and reply-to addresses have to be valid addresses within a valid domain? It doesn't matter if it's a bot or anything, it just can't be "yyyzzz@xyxy.com" or some bs like that. Perhaps an email-writing is in order. I could probably set up a page for it and send the link for yahoo, if there is support. The first complaint would be "what about people who don't correctly set up netscape, and they send a message that doesn't contain the correct address?" Well, in that case, there should be a notice on _all_ mail clients (and possibly news clients) that says "BEFORE you use this product, ensure that you have a valid account name and domain, and that you enter it carefully in the setup." That sort of thing is not too much to ask from beginning users. Besides, if it's set up wrong, then beginning users won't get replies. Spammers should be just like regular snail-mail junkies, in that we should know where these things come from. There should also be NIC-sponsored bulk email permits that spammers would have to buy. Make a definition of spam, and have a certain limit to the number of identical or context-identical unsolicited messages that one can send, and then charge for them. The result--less spam and lower NIC domain rates. With the number of spammers that exist right now, if they all kept on spamming, the NIC should be able to operate domains for about $5 a pop, or so. But the number of spammers would decrease if they could only send out a _total_ of, say, 200 identicals/day to unsolicited customers. The word "unsolicited" would protect all mailing-lists, especially ones that require authentication and confirmation before they send. Every legitimate enterprise has some method of making the list _stop_ as well, and spammers rarely do. So if you guys are interested, I could write a draft, and post it here for you all to read. People like us have to process 150+ messages/day, and we don't need any more. -John If you ever see an ambulance with sirens blaring and twin 50mm cannons on top, do not interpret this as a Good Sign. Be very, very frightened, in fact.
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