Spam Block: Public Servants or Vigilantes?

March 16, 2010 by ADMIN

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No one likes SPAM (the email variety.) Every responsible user of the Internet and surely every responsible information security professional would agree that anti-spam efforts are needed and likely should be expanded.

What happens, however, when the Internet-based anti-spam agents become a hindrance to business? While there over 70 anti-spam “service providers” that live on the Internet, a handful provide most of the information to business, government and academics users.

The service provided is usually a list of IP addresses from which to block SMTP or other email activity. One of the larger providers noted that their customers are “the few thousand corporations taking twice-hourly block list transfers.”

Most of these organizations publish block lists regarding open SMTP relays which can be used by spammers. One provider looks for email Non-Delivery Reports (bounces) that go further than local users of the email server.

In the words of one spam blocker, “A single infected machine sending spam out through a network utilizing NAT can result in blocked email from the whole LAN.”

So I ask, does building block lists of IP addresses that are “apparently” spammers and distributing this list without notifying the offending party vigilantism or service provision?

I lean toward them being vigilantes. Perhaps if a mechanism was in place to warn the alleged spammer they are about to be blocked, the service would seem more friendly…

Continued: https://www.infosecisland.com/blogview/3294-Vigilantes-or-Public-Servants.html

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