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IronPort Arms Both Sides In Spam War

Posted by timothy on from the and-get-outta-the-way dept.

securitas writes "We all know about IronPort's recent acquisition of SpamCop. What may not be common knowledge is that IronPort's Senderbase has 'the reputation as the fastest way to send millions of junk e-mail messages' and is popular with spam factories. Founded by two former Microsoft executives - Hotmail's Scott Weiss and ListBot founder Scott Banister - IronPort claims its customers are not spammers but legitimate marketers. Critics say that this is a clear conflict of interest. Playing spam from both sides might be likened to a pharmaceutical company enabling the spread of a disease in order to sell the cure. SpamCop founder Julian Haight - who had to sell the company in order to remain solvent - is quoted as saying of IronPort's anti-spam measures: "I am not sure all its standards are tough enough." The story was originally reported by the New York Times' Saul Hansell. Abbreviated mirror at IHT."

6 of 216 comments (clear)

  1. What? Capitalism isn't solving this problem? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    But, but, all the longhaired libertarians over at GNU said that the market would fix this problem by itself! I don't understand! Cognitive dissonance! AIIIIIIII! Government can solve no problems, EVER, dammit! The market is self-correcting and unethical behavior will be dealt with by market forces in time. It's the only ethically right thing to think.

  2. McAfee by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    This is like when McAfee bought out the major underground virus-makers back in 1997 and pumped money in them to keep them going at a fast clip.

    Oops. you weren't supposed to know about this one.

  3. I don't understand by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    What the big deal is about spam... just delete it and quit yer cryin'. Jeez.

  4. I know the perfect solution! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Stop using electronic mail altogether!

  5. Re:Registered Democrat by Nodatadj · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Not wishing to be pedantic and trolled but...
    You can beat Bush and not win the election.

  6. JEW ALERT!!!!!!!! JEW JEW JEW JEW JEW by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Founded by two former Microsoft executives - Hotmail's Scott Weiss and ListBot founder Scott Banister