Slashdot Mirror


TrustE Launches Trusted Spammer Program

Silverhammer writes: "InfoWorld is reporting that such luminaries as TRUSTe, ePrivacy Group, MSN, and DoubleClick are getting together to develop a "trusted senders" program to certify "commercial email" and "elevate" it above ISPs' and end users' spam filters. Why, you ask? Because they believe it's actually our fear of fraud that's hurting their response rates. Apparently all that stuff about invasion of privacy and theft of resources is just a big misunderstanding..." The Infoworld story linked above has the best information about this seal program, but CNet has another story including a quote forecasting 1400 pieces of spam per person per day in five years. Update: 01/31 17:02 GMT by M : The FTC is announcing a crackdown on spam.

14 of 449 comments (clear)

  1. Absolutely! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Because they believe it's actually our fear of fraud that's hurting their response rates.

    When I found out Sally and her dorm full of debutants weren't posing just for me, I felt hurt and angry!!

  2. Check that link by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    The DoubleClick link isn't working. Oh wait, that's just my proxy...

  3. Why only Microsoft, Doubleclick? by Merry_B.Buck · · Score: 4, Funny

    TrustE should just make membership in this program opt-out instead of opt-in.

  4. Spam, spam, spam... by The+Night+Watchman · · Score: 2, Funny

    SHUT UP!!

    Bloody Vikings...

    /* Steve */

    --
    "Every jumbled pile of person has a thinking part that wonders what the part that isn't thinking isn't thinking of"-TMBG
  5. Great! by OYAHHH · · Score: 1, Funny

    This is perfect, now I have a 100 percent sure way of getting rid of crap that I don't want to receive. My new SPAM filter looks something like this:

    if ( $email =~ /TRUSTE/ ){sub_delete( $email );}

    --
    Caution: Contents under pressure
  6. Telemarketer tarpit. by Restil · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is an idea I'm working on to help reduce telemarking calls.

    I'm envisioning a simple device that sits on your phone line. When a telemarketer calls you, as soon as you realize its a telemarketer, you activate the unit and hang up. The device takes
    over after that.

    While the telemarketer is talking, the device will play back every few seconds any of about 20 different small murmers "hmmm" "uh huh" "yeah" "interesting" etc. Then when the telemarketer stops talking, the device will detect the drop in audio and will play back one of several segue phrases "That sounds very interesting, could you tell me more" "Are you offering any other services?" "How much does all of this cost?" "Could you go over all that again so I can take notes?" "I've been interested in this very thing, but I need to make sure its safe. Could you tell me all the safety standards you stand to?" "Could you hold on for a couple minutes, I have something on the stove. DON'T LEAVE!" And so on.

    Telemarketers are mostly script readers. The idea will to be to ask vague questions that will cause them to find the most appropriate script. And just keep them going for a LONG time. When the phone line finally goes dead, the device will hang up automatically. Maybe keep track of the longest call. Maybe record them too. The possibilities are endless!

    This device probably wouldn't cost more than $20 to manufacture and is the perfect way to keep telemarketers busy when they call you at dinner. Not only will you be able to eat with a smug grin on your face, any other incoming calls will be blocked by the lively conversation. You'll be assured of a meal in peace.

    -Restil

    --
    Play with my webcams and lights here
    1. Re:Telemarketer tarpit. by Flagbrew · · Score: 2, Funny

      I love screwing with the telemarketers that call work. Typical conversation (has been done countless times here):

      Telemarketer: Hi this is mumble from mumble. I was just calling to get the model number of the copier in the office.

      Me: Oh, ok, exactly what am I looking for?

      T: A four or five digit number on the nameplate.

      M: Oh, ok, I'll go check. [puts them on hold for 5 minutes or so] Sorry, I'm having trouble finding it, what am I looking for again?

      T: A number right next to the brand name.

      M: Oh, sorry, I'll go check again. [puts them on hold for 5 minutes, again] I'm real sorry here, I'm having trouble finding it.

      T: [starting to get annoyed] It's a four or five digit number right next to the brand, like Canon or Xerox, on the front of the copier.

      M: Oh, all right, I'm real sorry, let me look one more time. [hold for 2 or 3 minutes] Well, I'll tell you, I just can't find it. Sorry about that.

      T: It should be right there on the front of the copier - four digit number.

      M: No I guess, you don't understand, I'm having trouble finding the copier.

      T: [click]

    2. Re:Telemarketer tarpit. by mikeee · · Score: 4, Funny

      Personally, I like to ask the telemarketers if they've been Saved by Jesus...

  7. Uh-oh by Guppy06 · · Score: 3, Funny

    "What we are in the process of doing for the first time is to launch a systematic attack on fraudulent and deceptive spam,"

    So Hormel won't be able to sell turkey Spam any more?

  8. Re:Oh come on! by haruharaharu · · Score: 3, Funny

    but in most first-degree murders and sexual abuse (or at least sexual abuse ) cases, the victim knew and trusted the perpetrator

    This is more like a marauding band of vikings that you had thought long dead razing your town

    --
    Reboot macht Frei.
  9. Re:Using custom e-mails by legojenn · · Score: 2, Funny

    Brilliant idea....It only works for those who have domains. Then again, getting a domain is fairly easy, all you have to do is respond to a spam email soliciting domain registrations.

    Jenn

    --
    I make a reasonable middle-class wage by going to work and not spamming blogs with scams.
  10. Re:Why does Spam matter? by anthony_dipierro · · Score: 3, Funny

    So, unlike postal junk mail, where the sender pays for postage, *you* pay for spam.

    Carrying postal junk mail takes energy. Therefore I have to eat more, and that costs me money. Also, the mass of the mail has a gravitational force which dilates time. And we all know that time is money.

  11. Trusted Spammer by Anne_Nonymous · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Trusted Spammer"

    ...brought to you by the same folks who brought you:

    passive agression
    alone together
    plastic glasses
    Microsoft Works
    pretty ugly
    postal worker
    military intelligence
    freezer burn
    jumbo shrimp
    junk food
    student teacher
    advanced BASIC
    bittersweet
    peace force
    found missing
    genuine imitation
    living dead
    soft rock
    taped live
    tight slacks
    athletic scholarship
    12-ounce pound cake
    working vacation
    resident alien
    same difference
    clearly misunderstood
    exact estimate
    Power Mac
    even odds
    negative growth
    random order

    ...and many, many others.

  12. Re:Oxymoron by emn-slashdot · · Score: 2, Funny

    Where else am I suppose to get viagra online? What about all these girls that want to have sex with me? Without spam, my life would be a miserable wreck.

    --
    -EvilMonkeyNinja
    Mild Mannered Host by Day
    Wild Hammered Programmer by Night