Unplugging spamming PCs

Wed Jun 23 23:10:57 UTC 2004

Larry Pingree <lpingree at juniper.net> wrote:
> Mail servers should be registered just like domains and shutdown by
> a registrar if they are misusing their registered services. This
> really needs to be handled by a multi-lateral legal solution,
> industry will not fix it alone.

Yes, that's just what we need. More unworkable legislation that
nobody'll bother to enforce in the intended manner anyway. It's not as
if many of the things one has to do to spam effectively isn't already
good for a few years behind bars, yet I don't exactly see prisons
bulging with spammers.

Let's suppose mail servers are registered like domains. What mechanism
is there going to be in place to shut down the mail server if it
starts misbehaving? Sending in the Marines?

And again, much of this comes down to enforcement. When was the last
time you heard of a spammer's domain being pulled? How about the last
time you saw a spammer be even remotely bothered by having their
domain pulled? Do you think they'll really care less about losing a
mail server when they've got another dozen lined up ready and waiting?

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