| In the last few weeks, I have noticed an increase | | | | spam victim, but doesn't this type of 'payback' |
| in tools or methods devised exclusively to fight | | | | solution smack of 'Internet vigilantism' or 'taking |
| the Spam fight. I applaud the originators ideals and | | | | the law into one's own hands' (something that is |
| their ingenuity, but I must voice my concern | | | | wrong and dangerous, no matter how justified |
| about the way in which such concepts can often | | | | and tempting it may seem to be)? |
| backfire, sometimes in the nastiest of ways. | | | | Apart from the obvious 'dragging down to their |
| I abhor spam. I hate it with a vengeance and | | | | level' in which this method results, isn't it illegal? |
| would do ALMOST anything to rid the Internet of | | | | Are the people who have put together this web |
| it entirely. The worldwide financial consequences | | | | page and promoted it's use in danger of the |
| alone run into billions of dollars annually.It is | | | | authorities deciding that they too, are contributing |
| comparable to the disruption that the propagation | | | | to the daily plague of spam? I do hope not, as I |
| of viruses causes and is responsible for creating a | | | | know their intentions are based in a sense of |
| completely independent niche market for the sale | | | | fighting a huge, common evil. |
| of tools and software programs designed simply | | | | I heard that the first 'high profile' case against a |
| to combat it. Although, I would imagine that even | | | | spammer in the U.S., resulting in a hefty jail term, |
| those engaged in this area of marketing would | | | | concluded only last week. I know that the wheels |
| also welcome it's demise, however unlikely it | | | | of 'justice' do turn slowly, in almost everything but |
| might seem at the moment. | | | | I believe the reason for that is so that mistakes |
| The latest is a web page that we are all being | | | | and more injustices do not result. |
| asked to link to which, as I understand it, will | | | | That is my concern with Internet citizens deciding |
| result in the email addresses listed on that page, | | | | to, as I said, take the law into their own hands |
| which are 'known' spam originating addresses, | | | | and perhaps overlooking where their actions may |
| being inundated with so much spam, generated by | | | | backfire, or worse, give the spammer an even |
| their own 'spiders' (entities which crawl the Net | | | | more powerful tool with which to assault their |
| looking for email addresses) that their data will be | | | | victims. I shudder to think what spammers, |
| effectively useless due to the spider being | | | | especially those who fall victim to this new idea, |
| effectively sent on an endless 'loop'. A simple but | | | | might do if they find the identity or email |
| brilliant little idea - But is it safe? | | | | addresses of the devisor/s of this idea. |
| What if an innocent email address should find it's | | | | We have relatively new laws to deal with spam |
| way onto that web page? What if one is | | | | and it's perpetrators. As I said, there has been, to |
| maliciously placed there? Does that email address | | | | my knowledge only one 'notable' and 'highly |
| get caught up in the vicious circle of unsolicited | | | | publicized' instance of the law at work, where the |
| email? Maybe not, but even if the method | | | | Internet community has been able to feel a sense |
| precludes this particular 'backfire', more to the | | | | of 'justice' and, yes......payback, revenge, whatever. |
| point, is it right to spam the 'spammer'? If you | | | | Give the Law a chance. |
| rob a thief, doesn't that make YOU a thief too, | | | | Again, I do understand the need for action and I |
| regardless? | | | | know exactly how people feel about those who |
| The fact remains also, there hasn't been a means | | | | would spoil one of the communication, information |
| of stopping spammers that has worked yet. Will | | | | and media marvels of this, and the last century. |
| they be somehow able to turn this idea around | | | | However, I think we need to, at least, give the |
| and use it against the Internet population? | | | | law a chance to make a difference before we |
| I can understand the anger, frustration and the | | | | even think about resorting to such means to |
| sometimes, sheer desperation that some may | | | | dissuade spammers from plying their trade. |
| feel after having been an especially badly 'bashed' | | | | |