Re: Hardening lists against spam attacks

["Z.B." <zachb@netcom.com>]

On Tue, 31 Dec 1996, Dale Thorn wrote:

> Bill Frantz wrote:
> > The Christmas attack against this list shows the need to develop lists
> > which are resistant to attacks.  If cyberspace is to become the town square
> > of the next century, we need to be able to discourage brown shirts attacks
> > on political gatherings.  If lists are to be a major part of the political
> > life of the community, then they must be resistant to attacks from
> > knowledgeable, well financed attackers, not just the shits who were the
> > most recent perps.
> 
> [snip]
> 
> > All messages sent to the list must be encrypted with the list's public key.
> 
> So in order to post here, I hafta install and run PGP?  Well, people
> were looking for the perfect formula to deny service to guys like me,
> and guess what?  You found it!  I will *not* install and run PGP.
> 
I agree with Dale here...requiring PGP in order to post would probably 
deter low-level, idiot spammers, but it would also keep those people off 
the list who, for one reason or another, don't like/want/use PGP.  Also, 
what about people who post to and read the list from someplace other than 
their home computer, like school or work?  I have access to this account 
from my college, but I'm sure not going to leave my keys lying around 
my account just so I can post to a mailing list.




Zach Babayco 

zachb@netcom.com <-------finger for PGP public key

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