Remailer Blocking and Negative Reputations

Just a quick note:

Blocking the sources of messages deemed offensive is a "negative
reputation" approach, easily bypassed by creating a new source name.

(And this can be done easily by using another remailer first.)

I'm not arguing for a positive rep system here, as I'm not sure how it
would work. I just wanted to the note that the solution of blocking
offending sources has limited use. (Unless the blocking propagates
back to the first-non-remailer use...require remailers to cooperate on
maintaining a black list.)

--Tim May

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It seems the case, however, that most people who abuse the
remailers have No Clue, and wouldn't even think to do that, or even
have the resources to do that.. 
	The case with jpunix for example was pretty simple as Perry
was able to figure out who to block simply because the 'abuse'r (I put
'abuse' in quotes because everyone's definition of abuse differs)
didn't chain.. I.e. the 'abuser' had No Clue.

	I don't think this is much of a problem.


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In message <199411180041.QAA14839@netcom18.netcom.com> you write:
>
>Just a quick note:
>
>Blocking the sources of messages deemed offensive is a "negative
>reputation" approach, easily bypassed by creating a new source name.

I agree and fully understand this. But in a situation where a remailer 
operator might realize that spamming is occurring, it could provide quick, 
temporary relief from the pain and embarrassment of athlete's spamming. :)
If 20 spams get thru and there are 200 more on the way, source blocking 
can stop this at least temporarily.

 John A. Perry - KG5RG - perry@jpunix.com
 WWW - http://jpunix.com
 PGP 2.62 key for perry@jpunix.com is on the keyservers.
 PGP-encrypted e-mail welcome!
 
 Finger kserver@jpunix.com for PGP keyserver help.
 Finger remailer@jpunix.com for remailer help.

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