Hey Sheryl - I was originally pretty vocal against this - I worked for an isp that faced this issue but to tell you the truth I have definately changed my tune - the account that was created on your network for webservice was deliberately created with that in mind to be a listing add in a spam from another ISP - this more than likely is the same person who's account you just cancelled for spamming using your network - except now s/he has gotten "smart" and think they've found a loophole. It's better for all involved if you close the loophole. No one will be able to act on her/him from the throw away isp's that s/he uses - they could care less if that account gets nuked - but the site is the dealio - that is their profit - so they sanitize it so that there is no excuse for nuking it. I would just modify your AUP to include a "spamvertised site" clause. On Thu, 19 Nov 1998, Sheryl Chapin wrote:
That's right. It stops the practice of using a sacrificial account, from AOL or netcom, to spam for a web-site that is otherwise protected. Does it make a difference that they didn't spam from their own ISP? That customer is *still* a spammer whether they did it from your site or not. Maybe you're of the "It's alright as long as they don't do it here" crowd? Well, that's one of the things that the RBL was built for. The rest of us don't have to put up with your negligence.
I don't see it as "it's alright as long as they don't do it here". I see it as "I have control over my network, but not over anyone elses". I have an AUP that specifically states spamming is not allowed. I have kicked off users who have spammed. However, I do not have an AUP that says "If you ever spam anyone ever in the world on any network anywhere I will disconnect whatever service you have". I don't control the entire internet, just my little piece of it. :-)
Sheryl Chapin Senior Network Engineer CommTel Internet 207.377.3508 Winthrop, Maine schapin@ctel.net
-- I am nothing if not net-Q! - ras@poppa.clubrich.tiac.net