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Anti-Virus Companies: Tenacious Spammers

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the more-bounces-than-worms-in-my-inbox dept.

jaroslav writes "There is a great article over at Attrition about the problem of anti-virus related spam. I don't know if we should all start reporting this to the government, but telling the companies themselves that this should stop might get some results."

17 of 329 comments (clear)

  1. Anti-virus! by cyberfunk2 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Dont you see ? This 'spam' is just the anti-virii companies conditioning the users to ignore the MyDoom and other such varients! Previously at NAI Marketing: Look , Look ! We can put a good spin on it !

  2. Simple solution to problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Steps to stop viruses:
    1) At the end of every one of these viruses, just add fdisk. 2) Very quickly, there will be no more unprotected computers!
    3) ???
    4) Profit by shorting MSFT!

  3. How long... by tttonyyy · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...before SCO relocates to Nigeria?

    "Dear friend,

    I am Darl McBride, a well known businessman..."

    Might be more fruitful for them. :)

    --
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  4. Re:A good analogy... by Leme · · Score: 4, Funny

    I don't get it. Are you saying Saddam sent this virus?

  5. Re:Complain to the abuse@ of the filtering system by Neophytus · · Score: 2, Funny

    Spambouncer? So you are bouncing the spam right back at the forged sender? Exactly the same thing.

  6. Eh? You sure...?? by DroopyStonx · · Score: 4, Funny

    "If I send a letter to George Bush using Saddam Hussein for the return address, the president will not believe that the letter is really from Iraq!"

    You sure about that?

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  7. Re:A good analogy... by geoffspear · · Score: 4, Funny

    No, but he definitely had some sort of virus-related program activities going on.

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  8. Re:A good analogy... by ShootThemLater · · Score: 5, Funny
    If I send a letter to George Bush using Saddam Hussein for the return address, the president will not believe that the letter is really from Iraq! Why? (other than Saddam being captured?) The postmark on the envelope will say Pullman, Wa!

    Good analogy, but I think you seriously overestimate Dubya's powers of reasoning in this case...

  9. Re:I've gotten AV email... by Mr.+Darl+McBride · · Score: 3, Funny
    Anyway, I'd also like to add that I've run Microsoft Windows since the days of Windows 1.03 and I have NEVER had a virus. I don't take unusual precautions, either. I have a virus scanner that I keep updated and run MANUALLY every time I hear about a new one, and it never finds anything (except when I've purposely saved one off for analysis!). I've never been tempted to click on an .SCR .PIF or .EXE file, and since I run my PC behind a "linksys" box that blocks all incoming ports, I've never had Code Red or anything like that.

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  10. We're your A/V company, we're here to help by Clemence · · Score: 2, Funny

    Many of the same companies that produce anti-virus software offer separately or as a bundle with the their A/V software anti-spam and anti-spyware products. If everyone only spent the extra money, and configured that nice [Norton AntiSpam/McAfee SpamKiller/whatever] software to reject such messages.

    If you build a better moustrap, it's good business to also sell smarter mice.

    Perhaps I'm too grumpy or cynical today.

  11. Re:A good analogy... by eric76 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I've received several in the last couple of days telling me that an e-mail from me contained the recent Norvag/Mydoom virus.

    At least two of those notifications included complete copies of the e-mail including the virus.

  12. Re:A good analogy... by AndroidCat · · Score: 4, Funny

    That should be fun when two dueling Mail/AV systems keep passing it back and forth--especially if the original target and forged sender keep getting notifications. Probably won't happen, most systems should be smart enough to avoid mail loops, probably.

    --
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  13. Where's My Plasma Rifle? by StefanJ · · Score: 4, Funny
    Am I the only person who fantasizes about busting into the offices and homes where spammers do their work and violently trashing their equipment with giant magnets, squirt bottles of honey laced with iron filings, fire axes, and bolt cutters?

    And on the way out, pounding "I AM AN E-MAIL SPAMMER" signs on their front lawn?

    C'mon, admit it. That would feel really good.

    Stefan

  14. Re:A good analogy... by Cruciform · · Score: 3, Funny

    They were actually just plans discussing the possibilty of sending the virus.

    He already emailed all the ones he got from the US 20 years ago :P

  15. Re:A good analogy... by SysPig · · Score: 5, Funny

    No, he's saying - as hard as it is to believe - that Bush is smarter than a mail server.

  16. Re:I have experienced this in the worst possible w by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Personally, I'd be pissed at your parents for naming you "postmaster".

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  17. Re:A good analogy... by jskiff · · Score: 2, Funny

    +1 Funny. Someone in Pullman, WA capable of reading and writing...

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