Spammer computers may be unplugged

http://edition.cnn.com/2004/TECH/int...eut/index.html

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Consumers who allow their infected computers to send out millions of "spam" messages could be unplugged from the Internet under a proposal released Tuesday by six large e-mail providers.

Internet users also could be limited on the amount of e-mail they send out each day to ensure they haven't become unwitting spammers, under voluntary guidelines proposed to curb unwanted junk e-mail.

The proposal was developed by Time Warner Inc.'s America Online, Yahoo Inc., EarthLink Inc., Microsoft Corp., Comcast Corp. and BT Group Plc.

Spam now accounts for up to 83 percent of all e-mail traffic, and large Internet providers say the problem costs them billions of dollars each year in wasted bandwidth, legal bills and additional customer service.

Most of the recommendations issued by the group seek to plug holes used by spammers to cover their tracks.

Internet companies should make sure that their equipment has been properly secured so spammers can't route their messages through them, the group said.

Security holes in Web-based e-mail forms and redirection services used to monitor online advertising should be plugged, the group said.

But the group also suggested consumers be held accountable if their machines are exploited by spammers.

A spate of viruses and worms over the past year have allowed spammers to route their traffic through personal computers, allowing come-ons for low mortgage rates and herbal Viagra to appear as if they're coming from a trusted friend.

Internet providers should take those machines offline until they can be cleaned up, the group said.

Providers should also limit the number of messages an individual machine can send to 100 per hour or 500 per day to prevent spammers from routing millions of messages through customer machines, the group said.

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Having mercy for Spammers, are we?

[promethius9594]

glad to see most people are still more interested in fighting the war on spam than fighting the war on terrorism.

fight terrorism is waste of time... those terrorist are low life patriots, godless and hidden!

when they act, one of their lives takes several other people to the grave

[The Hierophant]

Originally posted by promethius9594: glad to see most people are still more interested in fighting the war on spam than fighting the war on terrorism.

Some people believe that the war on terror is nothing but an insubstantial, pathetic and desperate gesture of empty, impotent belligerence aimed at unifying a gullible and easily-swayed human populace in violent opposition to an abstract and indeterminate concept for the purpose of reaping infinite political license from the fears and insecurities of said gullible populace to serve the political visions of small governing factions.

'Lets all follow the besuited politician, he'll save us and make everything alright!'

[img]tongue.gif[/img]

Whew, I needed to get a good solid rant out this afternoon. I've got lots of pent up aggression. I feel better now, thanks for your patience [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 07-07-2004, 09:19 AM: Message edited by: The Hierophant ]

[Ziroc]

You won't be seeing any more oneliner posts from Whackmiester again. He's history.

[The Hierophant]

Originally posted by Ziroc: You won't be seeing any more oneliner posts from Whackmiester again. He's history.

Awwww. He was such a.... such a..... character. Well, I hope he's having a good time, whatever he's doing (which is probably fortifying himself in his basement in preparation for the invasion of the government censorship crack-troops ).
Whackmiester, if you're reading this, good luck to you! And remember, canned food will keep for years in an underground bunker. But mind that if you're going to be stocking alot of canned beans make sure you have a REALLY good air ventilation system or you might asphyxiate on your own fumes [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Stratos]

What happened to Whackmeister? Did he make a weird post that have now been deleted by Z? I'm I missing something here?

[Grojlach]

Originally posted by The Hierophant: Awwww. He was such a.... such a..... character. Well, I hope he's having a good time, whatever he's doing (which is probably fortifying himself in his basement in preparation for the invasion of the government censorship crack-troops ). Whackmiester, if you're reading this, good luck to you! And remember, canned food will keep for years in an underground bunker. But mind that if you're going to be stocking alot of canned beans make sure you have a REALLY good air ventilation system or you might asphyxiate on your own fumes [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Memnoch]

Originally posted by Stratos: What happened to Whackmeister? Did he make a weird post that have now been deleted by Z? I'm I missing something here?

Move on, nothing to see here.