Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Botnet Mafia in Online Turf War

Posted by samzenpus on from the make-them-an-offer-they-can't-refuse dept.

An anonymous reader writes " The kind of turf war seen in the real world by drug gangs is being replicated by the criminal gangs behind spamming botnets, and things are turning nasty."

6 of 266 comments (clear)

  1. ISPs have to be the solution by sherriw · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Time for ISPs to stop being so nicey-nice about this.

    1) Send an email to all customers saying that the ISP will begin choosing a random day (say every 3 months or so) to scan for infected computers churning out email.
    2) On that random day (random so the spam bots won't be programmed to be silent on that day) the ISP shuts down outgoing mail for all infected computers on their network.
    3) Customer who can't send mail is irate and calls ISP tech support hotline.
    4) Tech support says: we warned you... please follow these virus removal instructions and install/update your anti virus software.

    Bam problem solved. People who keep getting blocked every 3 months will quickly learn to take better care of their computers. Along with the customer's invoice the ISP could send an information sheet with prevention and removal instructions.

    Maybe governments can give ISPs a little financial help for doing this?

    Unfortunately I don't see any other solution other than tough-love.

    1. Re:ISPs have to be the solution by tomstdenis · · Score: 5, Funny

      Can't have that. People can't be held responsible for what goes on in their computers. After all they're big magical boxes and the public is just so stupid.

      I think this is a problem only MSFT can solve.

      Tom

      --
      Someday, I'll have a real sig.
    2. Re:ISPs have to be the solution by TeXMaster · · Score: 5, Informative
      Oh I'll just love it when my ISP blocks my internet connection because I just sent a patchset by email to a *-devel list for peer review.

      I know the good intentions and all that, but seriously, I'm already pissed enough at my ISP (Tiscali.it) that doesn't allow me to send more than 3 consecutive emails.

      So either implement this kind of stuff with a proper way to tell spam sending from acceptable mass mailing, or be ready to handle hordes of very angry customers.

      --
      "I'm never quite so stupid as when I'm being smart" (Linus van Pelt)
    3. Re:ISPs have to be the solution by powermacx · · Score: 5, Funny

      Well, here in Argentina the first answer when you call tech support to complain your connection isn't working is: "You've got spyware. Reinstall Windows and install an up to date antivirus+antyspyware".

      Of course, when I answer: "Er... I have a Mac" the answer is "Uh... I don't know... did you try restarting?"

  2. Re:Trying to care by Oligonicella · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wow! What the hell were you doing/where were you going that you got so much? I look at tits and ass online and still only get some 10-20 a day on a heavy day. Wow.

  3. Re:Somehow... by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 5, Funny

    *ominously clicking together Jolt COla bottles stuck on fingertips*

    Botnets... come out to play-ayyyyy!

    --
    Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned