ietf-asrg
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [Asrg] How about we do something about spam?

2007-01-30 00:31:56

I was thinking of something like this (sketchy outline, any use of
"spam" is simply short-hand for "Insert Better Term"):


Spam (definition) currently comprises over 90% (cite) of email
traffic.

The enabling technology for the vast majority of spam are botnets
(description.)

Botnets are particularly problematic because:

  a) They allow spammers to command far more resources for sending
  spam than the underlying business activity could ever fund; the
  resources used are all stolen. Literally hundreds of millions of
  copies of a message can be sent out for little or no cost to the
  spammer.

  b) They allow for address mobility; spam sources can shift between
  thousands of purloined computers rapidly thus defeating
  identification of the source of the spam for the purpose of blocking
  or, where warranted, criminal investigation.

  c) They are a fundamentally criminal enterprise relying on the
  injection and exploitation of malicious software into victim
  computers.

Although technological schemes are constantly being developed to
counter this trend there are limits to the effectiveness of these
schemes without a framework of effective law enforcement.

The sheer volume and nature of botnet spamming activity, largely
unchallenged legally, presents a problem which even a reasonably
effective technological solution can not counter.

It is likely that absent these botnets spammers as we know them would
be rendered largely impotent. As stated earlier their business model
does not allow for the enormous resources we see their activities
currently consume.

Investigation, apprehension, and conviction of operators and customers
of these botnets are few and far between. They operate with little
fear of legal consequence currently.

We therefore request, as a body whose primary mission is the
reliability, integrity, and advancement of the internet, increased law
enforcement resources be devoted to providing an effective legal
challenge to these botnets as an adjunct to our own technological
efforts.


-- 
        -Barry Shein

The World              | bzs(_at_)TheWorld(_dot_)com           | 
http://www.TheWorld.com
Purveyors to the Trade | Voice: 800-THE-WRLD        | Login: Nationwide
Software Tool & Die    | Public Access Internet     | SINCE 1989     *oo*

_______________________________________________
Asrg mailing list
Asrg(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org
https://www1.ietf.org/mailman/listinfo/asrg