In addition to working with PHP, I am a mail admin. There are lots of tools out there for combating spam, including lists, called DNSBLs, that contain the IP addresses of supposed spammers. Some are more vigilant (or vigilante, depending on your perspective) than others, but the premise is that if someone sends spam to a bunch of people, their IP address gets listed, and you can use that list to tag or refuse mail from those people.
However your scheme is just plain ridiculous. It is up there with returning virus laden email to the supposed originator. 80-90% of the spam you receive is not "from" the person in the From or Reply-to header. In fact, most likely the originating computer was compromised by a virus with an SMTP engine, and is sending out emails with completely forged addresses in the headers. So when you reply back to the email address in the header, you are sending email either to no one, because the email address doesn't really exist, or to someone who has nothing to do with the spam. Very few spams I have encountered (other than an occasional 419 scam) actually expect you to reply back via email. Most use web sites to maintain contact. I know it makes you feel better to do something like this, but you'd be better off using a filter to ignore it, or a tool to keep it out of your inbox. The only way to stop spam is to stop people from buying crap from them. A single purchase can often pay for the entire cost of spamming millions of people. Mark --- Gurudatta Raut <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- James Keeline <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >Imagine what will happen if each one does that to > spammers. > > #) Talk about the above point. > > > > There are a couple of flaws in your plan. The From: > > and Reply-to: addresses > > are often faked so they are stolen from someone > > else. The 10MB replies may go > > to someone whose email address was simply used by > the spammer. > > #) But not if the spammer expects your reply, their > frustration is the proof that my plan works > > > The other problem is that most accounts are much > > larger now. My Yahoo-based > > account is 2 GB so a 10MB is barely noticed. Since > > it is web mail, it is not > > downloaded for me until I tell the system to do so. > > #) Ya, but spammers Spam hundreds and thousands, > combined warth can spell their doom > > > It must feel good to do something about spammers. > > However, you need to make > > sure that you are really affecting the source of the > > problems and not innocent > > bystanders. > > I usually dont have such time, but if I get a > particular spam time and again, I try to seal its > doom. > > Any way, U were very inspiring in my good attempt. > But, I will not rest. We can create a Anti SPAM > website where such Spammers can be reported or their > mails just forwarded to it. when 10000 or so spam > reports are noted that site can unleash warth of bulk > in their inboxes. > > Send instant messages to your online friends > http://in.messenger.yahoo.com > Mark Weinstock [EMAIL PROTECTED] *************************************** You can't demand something as a "right" unless you are willing to fight to death to defend everyone else's right to the same thing. *************************************** __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Most low income homes are not online. Make a difference this holiday season! http://us.click.yahoo.com/5UeCyC/BWHMAA/TtwFAA/HKFolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Community email addresses: Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Shortcut URL to this page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/php-list Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/php-list/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
