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Reviving the Finger Protocol to Fight Spam?

Posted by Cliff on from the return-of-an-old-friend dept.

Greg asks: "Some will remember the finger protocol which is barely used now. Although this tool was useful in some case, today this tool would be a nice tool for spammers. However, could such be used against spam? Most spammer use bogus email, and most spam-fighters talk about changing SMTP is to implement a certificate system to make sure the sender is valid. While this is great, it'll require a complete re-write of the SMTP protocol, adoption and re-write of all software using SMTP. Wouldn't it be easier to use a 'finger'-like protocol? When receiving a mail we could check if the sender is valid or not. What people think about this?"

6 of 113 comments (clear)

  1. Give Spammers the Finger eh... by Spock+the+Baptist · · Score: 2, Funny

    Someone had to to make the pun...

    --
    "Oh drat these computers, they're so naughty and so complex, I could pinch them." --Marvin the Martian
  2. Not an uncommon sight by Wrexen · · Score: 5, Funny

    Anyone noticed a trend in "Ask /." lately? Usually looks something like this


    Dear Slashdot,

    I have a great idea for fixing a problem that's been plagueing us all. By simultaenously implementing IPv6 world-wide, converting the US to metric, adding mass transit to rural areas, teaching everyone Esperanto, and making Linux ready for even the most stubborn grandmother, all the worlds problems will be solved. There's just this problem of implementation, i.e., how do I do it? I'm sure some clever /. can come up with a solution. Thanks!

    1. Re:Not an uncommon sight by clambake · · Score: 4, Funny

      Dear Slashdot,

      I have a great idea for fixing a problem that's been plagueing us all. By simultaenously implementing IPv6 world-wide, converting the US to metric, adding mass transit to rural areas, teaching everyone Esperanto, and making Linux ready for even the most stubborn grandmother, all the worlds problems will be solved. There's just this problem of implementation, i.e., how do I do it? I'm sure some clever /. can come up with a solution. Thanks!

      Response: I have a Simpson's quote that might help you out, will that be enough?

  3. New pr0n spam... by OneBarG · · Score: 2, Funny

    "I'm a real girl...finger me and I'll prove it to you!"

    --
    I'm starting to think this isn't the best place to promote my Anti-Sig Campaign.
  4. Re:no. by Henry+V+.009 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Heh. That's a great idea. I'm going to mail about 50 petty dictators around the world from president@whitehouse.gov with: "How are you gentlemen??? Make your time." Let the geopolitical chips fall where they may, I say.

  5. Re:kids and spam.. by delstar+dotstar · · Score: 2, Funny
    How about a ".kids" domain for email, to which sending such 'explicit' spam is strictly FORBIDDEN?
    I think a .* domain to which sending such explicit spam is forbidden would be even better.