RE: [cobalt-users] Spam blocking

["Michele Neylon :: Blacknight Solutions" <michele@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> E.g. About a year ago the about.com network blocked a range that covered
> about 2/3 of Australian networks. I was unable to communicate with anybody
> on that network for several months. This move affected all the major
> broadband providers in the country. Where I live, was only one cable
> provider at the time, so I had no way of changing networks. I
> could not even
> email about.com techsupport to discuss as they blocked even that. I was
> working with a client who was using hit tracking software from
> about.com. I
> ended up loosing that client because I was unable to work with
> them. Clearly
> only a small loss.
>
> But clearly, the actions of blocking spam indiscriminately affect innocent
> people and those people _may_ in some countries have a right to seek
> compensation.

Agreed. Unfortunately some people on this list do not realise that:
1. The US is not the only country on the face of the planet
2. It's laws are far from perfect
3. Spam is an international problem
4. International problems lead to involving local laws
5. If you are not 110% sure that your spam filtering does not lead to false
positives do not block - just tag
6. Blocking at the MTA level using RBLs can be extremely dangerous

And before any of the muppets reply with their "how dare you say that" type
response please note:
1. I know what I am talking about
2. I have thought about it
3. We do this stuff for a living using proper servers and filter mail using
a number of advanced techniques
4. If you wish to rebut my comments please make specific and clear
references to examples




Mr. Michele Neylon
Blacknight Internet Solutions Ltd
http://www.blacknightsolutions.ie/
http://www.search.ie/
Tel. + 353 (0)59 9137101
Lowest price domains in Ireland