May 31, 2007

Now if they could only find the other nine.

Man described as a top spammer arrested

By GENE JOHNSON
The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) — A 27-year-old man described as one of the world's most prolific spammers was arrested Wednesday, and federal authorities said computer users across the Web could notice a decrease in the amount of junk e-mail.

Robert Alan Soloway is accused of using networks of compromised "zombie" computers to send out millions upon millions of spam e-mails.

"He's one of the top 10 spammers in the world," said Tim Cranton, a Microsoft Corp. lawyer who is senior director of the company's Worldwide Internet Safety Programs. "He's a huge problem for our customers. This is a very good day." [...]

Let's just hope he didn't decide to let one of his competitors in on his network, or else the purported downturn in spam will only be temporary--or nonexistent.

SPEAKING OF WHICH--I've apparently started spamming myself again. I get at least three or four e-mails a day with my own Gmail address as the sender, usually for online pharmacy spam. Rest assured folks--do NOT open any email you get from me that has any kind of attachment unless I've told you ahead of time I'm sending it. Don't open stuff from anyone else, either.

AS FOR OUR SPAMMER--I do hope they have a nice strudy sack to put him in, and a nice selection of shovels to beat him with.

Posted by Terry Oglesby at May 31, 2007 09:47 AM
Comments

Some of these people have absolutely NO conscience whatsoever--I've gotten spam from spoofed email addresses that belonged to CHURCHES, for crying out loud. There really should be some law with "teeth" to go after that kind of misuse of other people's email addresses.

Posted by: Stan at May 31, 2007 11:23 AM

I'm for a law with teeth, too. And no quote marks. Real, honest-to-goodness teeth. I figure you put a couple of bobcats in the sack with the spammer before you start whacking away with the shovel.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 31, 2007 11:29 AM

HA! I would think that would have a certain deterrent effect after the first example of THAT punishment had been administered.

Posted by: Stan at May 31, 2007 11:41 AM

I AM WRITING TO YOU TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOUR WONDERFUL POST ON THIS SUBJECT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE A WONDERFUL CANDIDATE FOR A TREMENDOUS INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY IN MY HOME COUNTRY OF NIGERIA.

Posted by: skinnydan at May 31, 2007 11:51 AM

I wondered how long it would be before this post gets its first comment spam...

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 31, 2007 12:15 PM

Well, unfortunately (or perhaps FORTUNATELY for SOME people) that law hasn't been passed yet.

Posted by: Stan at May 31, 2007 12:22 PM

Wassamatter? Don't you like Obawunji Nabakooshey, the nephew of the Oil Minister for expending Revenue?

Posted by: skinnydan at May 31, 2007 03:00 PM

I'd like him better if he could help me refinance my house and provide cheap V1@gra and C1@lis!

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 31, 2007 03:42 PM