newsbin.com

Since you are expanding SPAM support, have you considered adding a couple of options for SPAMMERS?

Add a switch that replies to the SPAMMER's post and advises the issue on the Subject line so others don't try to download the file. The reply should go to all groups where the file is posted.

Add a switch that advises the ISP of the SPAM File in hopes they can delete or disable the file.

Just a thought

First one is interesting. Worth thinking about.

Second one won't work. The spammers aren't users like you and me. They're more like a commercial enterprise. They don't really care if people complain. ISP's barely know what usenet is anymore and I don't think you can tell ISP from the post anyway.

My first reaction to the warning post idea was positive too, but implementation is everything. For example, there are people out there with their own agendas (group pissing matches) who would love a casual method to post things like that for every competing groups post out there. Voila, newsbin has become part of the problem. I know there's other ways to do this, but anything that makes repetitive cross posts easy I fear will be abused.

DT

I see your point and NewsBin wanting to stay away from the fray. Can't disagree after sharing your insights. Having said that, is there anything we can do to thwart or expose or embarrass these a??holes who post SPAM and Viruses, or do we just have to tolerate it?

Thanks

Well. It's a free country and one of the things I like about usenet is that it's mostly unconstrained. That said, I've been building spam blockers into Newsbin for awhile now. 6.52 has the best ones so far but, I've already found a couple files that bypass it so, it'll need more work.

I am looking into giving you the ability to select and eliminate blocks of spam by probing the groups. It's not ready yet but, should be in 6.6. It's specifically targeting viral and encrypted spam.

Thanks for the feedback and your efforts! Much appreciated!