At 8:05 3/29/99, der@redrose.net wrote: >Hi Linnea, > >I have 2 questions about this. > >> You may have already heard about this, but the e-mail wording of this >> particular computer "bug" sounds like it could be especially annoying to >> genealogists who may too easily trust documents sent along to them from >> distant cousins. It's called "Melissa." > >Yes, there was a very good article in the front section of the Lancaster >Sunday News yesterday about this. It seems to apply mainly to Microsoft >Windows e-mail. Yes, this most recent "bug" will affect DOS systems (not Mac's.) > > >> >> I cannot use the "V"-word or this message will not go through to you. >> Rootsweb does not allow attachments on any lists, in part as protection >> for subscribers from catching a computer "V". It also has filters so >> that hoax warnings won't bother list members. One of the reasons I love >> Rootsweb! > >I'm curious then how the "V" word got through on other Rootsweb lists?? >(about this one) . Haven't figured that out - unless SmartList was set AFTER those were sent. I even copied one of those that did make it through - and mine BOUNCED!!! It was looking for "Melissa" in the e-mails - and one of the URL's includes that word! Boy was I frustrated until I got it through!! Also, I seem to receive a lot of e-mail that is what I >call "X or beyond rated" and I delete it, but wonder how does someone get >my e-mail address for that? I am currently only on Rootsweb lists. Rootsweb lists probably will not be "harvested", unless someone breaks a listowner's utility page password. There is NO WAY our addresses can be gotten from our archives, due to other protections. >Occasionally I will post to a newsgroup that is "open" so to speak, to >anyone who wishes to subscribe to it. Is this how these groups get my >e-mail address? Our server does have a program which we can utilize, but >many are concerned that they will then miss "real" mail. I seldom post to newsgroups any longer, since they are prime for address harvesting. Also, if you have a web page - these addresses are open to the public, also. My bottom line >question is, is there any way we can avoid the "rotten" mail? In the snail >mail world, we get "junk" mail, but not the X-rated kind, and I would be >interested to know how we can avoid it in the e-mail category. Thanks. Not much you can do about this (especially) porno SPAM - except NEVER REPLY, visit the web page OR use the "removal address". All this does is verify that your address is good. IF you can decipher the originating address, forward it WITH FULL HEADERS to "abuse" at that ISP. But usually these are forged anyhow. After the 1st of the year I was getting tons of porno spam from AOL addresses. I knew they were forged since the header remarked that the AOL version used was 3.0. That hasn't been in use in years! What I've been doing recently is sending to the "abuse" address of the address to request removal (if it's one I'm familiar with, like usa.net is one) and sending to the ISP of the web page linked (a lot seem to be at angelfire.com lately). You could also send to abuse at your own ISP, since I'm sure there are many domains which they block due to SPAM problems and they would appreciate your input. Hope this helps some of you with combatting SPAM. But the most important thing to remember is NEVER REPLY!! -Linnea