ISPs Pitch In to Stop Spam

This article discusses ISP's efforts to block spam. It specifically goes into detail about blocking PORT 25 access - which is SMTP. SMTP is the protocol used to send email - spamming programs utilize it to do their evil.

However, blocking this port can also cause complications for users intending to send legitimate email.

Spammers often will sign up for new accounts with different service providers. Immediately after getting access they will send millions of junk messages. They fully expect their accounts to be shutdown, and they usually are within a few hours.

Service providers are constantly challenged with the need to provide email access to their ongoing customers, while preventing spammers from engaging in abusive behavior. Aggressive filtration software using strict blacklists help, but can cause collateral damage.

Spam filter software deployed by ISP's block millions of legitimate emails every year. However, millions of dollars of network costs and time are lost to spam email. From a strictly economic standpoint, it can be unclear if the cure is more harmful than the poison.

Full Spam Related Story