Date: Wed, 13 Aug 1997 13:28:54 -0700 From: Rick Walker <walker@cutter.hpl.hp.com> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg3097$foo@default> Subject: Listserv/SPAM
> Alex Salomon <salomon@erols.com> writes:
> I know you have probably been bombarded with letters like this.
> Sorry about that. Is there any way to block he SPAM? In the latest
> digest, this get rich quick offer took up over 50% of the total.
> It seems that we are having more and more of these each day.
> Thanks for whatever you are able to do.
Dear Alex,
The listserv already has been modified with a script to reject messages
from known spam domains. I usually modify this script everytime we
get a new spam. You are only seeing about 10% of the total spam that
is sent to the list. The 90% is already being rejected.
To avoid inadvertantly rejecting valid subscription requests, all of
these rejected messages get forwarded to me for manual inspection. I'm
already getting half a dozen of these per day.
Another possibility would be to make the group moderated. This is out
of the question for now, as it would require me to read and approve
every single message. The CP volume is too big for this kind of hand
work.
We could also set the listserv on strict address checking. This would
require each posting to have the *exact* return address that is listed
in the subscription file or else be rejected. My experience is that up
to 50% of our users post from multiple machines. This makes strict
address checking more of a problem than it is worth. I would be swamped
with questions and requests to modify the subscription addresses.
The sorts of spam that you are seeing are equivalent to a person walking
into a public square and yelling an obscenity. It is possible to block
such behavior on a case by case basis - but only *after* the first
transgression has taken place. All other alternatives that I can think of
put an undue "police state-like" burden on either me as the system
administrator, or on you, the gentle-user and participant in the CP
listserv.
I'm certainly open to any other suggestions or alternatives that anyone
may have.
Best regards,
-- Rick WalkerAny worthwhile attempt at civilization must be *at least* free enough for every single member to have veto power. This realization is what makes democracy, fairness, truth and justice absolute requirements for stable self governance.
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