Cross Talk: How do we defeat spam?

[tron3]

I have a special hatred for spammers. Mostly because they have been pounding the e-mail server of my job for more than the 4 years I have worked here. It has caused me a great deal of stress and has inhibited our ability to get orders in or out. Hopefully, our new systems getting installed soon will stop the barrage.

Couple of months ago I was out of work for over a week and the e-mail server was left unmonitored. Upon my return to what was already a big installation of new computers, I had to clean out TENS OF THOUSANDS of spam from our send box, and else where. It was so bad it was difficult to highlight the files enmass and delete them. Windows explorer kept choking on the sheer number of files. Night mare.

While I know we have anti-spamming laws, exactly how effective are they? We aren't supposed to cross on the red either, but we do it. Who has actually been fined for doing that?

Big fines and law suits are BS. It doesn't matter if the judge orders the spammers to pay 1 billion dollars restitution. They never will. The idea is make spam completely unprofitable. Here are some ideas.

* First, we need laws which will support the actions which follow.
* Much spam is overseas, we need governments of our friendly nations to join us in this fight.

* First, find the spammers. They are tricky little devils, but we can do it.
* Second, arrest the spammers.
* Third, ABSOLUTE CONFISCATION OF COMPUTERS RECORDS AND ALL MONIES. Including the ill gotten monies in their personal accounts. Leave them so penniless they couldn't afford to be homeless.

In essence make it a ZERO profit venture for them WHEN they are caught. The money goes to the FEDS for some noble cause. Like lowering the price of gas. They make MILLIONS of dollars and all of it illegally. Why doesn't the government get these crooks and give us some tax relief?

Spraying for termites (IE spam filters) controls the issue a bit, but you have to kill the queen to stop the problem.