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. :-)
I see it as "Spammers are just not tolerated here.". Spamming is lame, and allowing spammers to use throw away name brand accounts to advertise sites on your network is hostile to the spam recipients, and the name brand network they abuse to send the spam. I don't control the whole net either, but I do define the acceptable use of my network, and violators of my policies can find a new provider. It is a deterrent, it is not popular with spammers, and I'm glad I'm not the only person with this view. "The only way to win is not to spam." Clearly the RBL is working, I now reject spam routinely, and I think the lawsuit threat is bullying hogwash. I choose to block spam, and I appreciate the service that Paul and the MAPS team provide to me. Dan
Sheryl Chapin Senior Network Engineer CommTel Internet 207.377.3508 Winthrop, Maine schapin@ctel.net