Re: Why are postmasters distributing the MyDoom virus?

[gadgeteer () elegantinnovations org]

On Sat, Feb 07, 2004 at 02:15:43PM -0500, Richard M. Smith (rms () computerbytesman com) wrote:
> Perhaps these postmasters need to review
> their bounce message policies and remove all attached files from messages
> being bounced.

Since it is well known that virii forge From headers the better policy 
adjustment would be to NOT bounce virii messages at all.  The Anti-Virus 
companies are certainly well aware of it as it is a characteristic 
described in their alerts.

Many of these bounces triggered by virii are nothing less then a spam 
opprotunity for the A-V software company.  There is no "opt-out" 
from these spam messages.  This would seem to be a clear violation of 
CAN-SPAM.

Some sites have implemented various schemes to reject virii at the smtp 
level.  See nanog mail archives for recent threads dealing with this and 
related topics.
-- 
Chief Gadgeteer
Elegant Innovations

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