http://www.intelliot.com/blog/archives/2006/07/09/whats-the-best-thing-to-do-with-spam/ Thoughts, opinions and fascinating discoveries by Elliot, a student at USC Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:12:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 http://www.intelliot.com/blog/archives/2006/07/09/whats-the-best-thing-to-do-with-spam/#comment-76373 mondine Wed, 12 Jul 2006 09:55:33 +0000 http://www.intelliot.com/blog/archives/2006/07/09/whats-the-best-thing-to-do-with-spam/#comment-76373 This has been a hotly-debated topic in Usenet for the years that I've been using it (which is fitting, as it's the source for so many of those forged 'from' addresses). And there has been rather a definite consensus. Spam should be dealt with in one of two ways. Either effectively reported to the appropriate authority, or simply deleted. Practices and programs that simply and blindly bounce UCE are socially irresponsible and can be a greater pestilence than many originating sources of spam. It's the electronic equivalent of taking the junk mail from your front porch, and throwing into your neighbour's yard. Bounced mail will rarely, if ever, actually affect a spammer. Only those unfortunate enough to be paying to use the same network resources. This has been a hotly-debated topic in Usenet for the years that I’ve been using it (which is fitting, as it’s the source for so many of those forged ‘from’ addresses).
And there has been rather a definite consensus.
Spam should be dealt with in one of two ways. Either effectively reported to the appropriate authority, or simply deleted.
Practices and programs that simply and blindly bounce UCE are socially irresponsible and can be a greater pestilence than many originating sources of spam.
It’s the electronic equivalent of taking the junk mail from your front porch, and throwing into your neighbour’s yard.
Bounced mail will rarely, if ever, actually affect a spammer. Only those unfortunate enough to be paying to use the same network resources.

]]>