Thursday, December 02, 2004
Lycos Accidentally Nukes some Spammers
Lycos Europe has been making the headlines lately with its controversial screensaver that had pounds spammer websites when a user's computer is not being used. It has been so effective that it has downed two spammer sites, and crippled another. I can't even pretend to be sad about it... spammers deserve a taste of their own medicine, and if it puts them out of business... even better!
On one side, people are cheering this effort to cripple spammers, while others are saying this type of vigilantism could set a nasty precedent of attacks and counter-attacks across the network. My take on the matter? The Internet is the last frontier left on Earth, almost like the United States' wild west of the 1800's. Back then it was sometimes necessary to take matters into your own hands because either no one else would, or because there wasn't a Sheriff to do it. The Internet is like that; for the most part it's unregulated. Vigilantes, while not the most desirable answer to the problem, are an answer.
If you want to support Lycos' effort against spammers, be sure to download the screensaver at their website (which happens to be down right now). As I said before, spammers are only getting a taste of their own medicine... so don't feel bad for them. The constant penis enhancement and Viagra rip-offs certainly remind me of that. ¶ 6:20 PM
Lycos Europe has been making the headlines lately with its controversial screensaver that had pounds spammer websites when a user's computer is not being used. It has been so effective that it has downed two spammer sites, and crippled another. I can't even pretend to be sad about it... spammers deserve a taste of their own medicine, and if it puts them out of business... even better!
On one side, people are cheering this effort to cripple spammers, while others are saying this type of vigilantism could set a nasty precedent of attacks and counter-attacks across the network. My take on the matter? The Internet is the last frontier left on Earth, almost like the United States' wild west of the 1800's. Back then it was sometimes necessary to take matters into your own hands because either no one else would, or because there wasn't a Sheriff to do it. The Internet is like that; for the most part it's unregulated. Vigilantes, while not the most desirable answer to the problem, are an answer.
If you want to support Lycos' effort against spammers, be sure to download the screensaver at their website (which happens to be down right now). As I said before, spammers are only getting a taste of their own medicine... so don't feel bad for them. The constant penis enhancement and Viagra rip-offs certainly remind me of that. ¶ 6:20 PM
