I was checking some of the spam mail that I have been receiving and I have noticed the junk mail is addressed to several e-mail accounts simultaneously. On closer inspection, I am certain that the names listed are not randomly generated but appear to be legitimate e-mail addresses (usually listed alphabetically).
This to me means that the spammers have access to a list of accounts at my ISP (Netvigator). The ISP is most likely aware of this, isn't it? What can I do about this situation? What can the ISP do? Can it block such spammers at their servers? If one spammer has the list, don't hundreds more have it?
The amount of junk mail grows exponentially and it is increasingly frustrating to check e-mail messages. I use dozens of e-mail filters, but shouldn't the ISP also be doing something to tackle this huge problem? Any suggestions?
Harry Chen
Lai Chi Kok
Spam is king - king among all the irritating things that the internet has brought us. Perhaps most irritating is the stupidity of the whole thing. I was recently told that my credit card had been charged $234.45 for 'money laundering and child pornography'. The writer wanted me to enter my credit card details as confirmation and send them to him. What can you say about that? Only that if a spammer e-mails such a message to 10 million people and 0.1 per cent of them are the morons you assume them to be, then you will have a lot of credit card numbers and a booming business, I suppose.
Mr Chen might assume that because the names are in alphabetical order it must mean the ISP has sold its customer list. I have spoken to Netvigator about similar suggestions before and they deny selling any such list. It would be against their interests, and it would be illegal. If you think they are, you can complain to your ISP and the Privacy Commissioner.