[SpamCop-List] Re: Does this really help?

[Mike Easter]

Ernie wrote:
> I have been reporting spam for about 2 months now.

SpamCop reporting notifies the providers for the sources of spam,
typically insecure users these days, contributes to the listing of
sources in the SCbl which aids people who use those filters in blocking
or tagging spamitems, and notifies providers for websites, some of whom
take action against the spamvertisers, many of whom don't.  There isn't
much about that notification process that actually reduces your spamload
directly.

> I keep trying to
> "opt-out" to the links that accually work.

As a general rule, it is almost never 'appropriate' or beneficial to
opt-out of a spamming that you never opted into.  All spammers lie.  It
is also usually unhealthy to even be opening the mail where you find the
optout opportunity;  that is you shouldn't be reading your spam, you
shouldn't be 'believing' your spam, and you shouldn't be clicking on
weblinks contained in spam.  That is very unhealthy and it will get you
more spam.

> I keep getting more and
> more spam instead of less and it is mostly from the same 4 or 5
> places.

I have no idea how many of your activities contribute to your increased
spamload.  Spam generally increases, handling spam insecurely increases
spam, which includes opening spam and clicking on spamlinks, exposing
your addy various ways increases spam.

> Does spamcom go after the advertiser of the spam or just
> where it got mailed from.

Go after is better termed notifying and listing.  SC notifies providers
for spamvertisers and sources;  SC lists only sources.

> I really don't know much about this but
> would like to know if i am waisting my time and yours doing the
> reporting.

Reporting benefits the SCbl, which some people use to help them filter
spam.  You could use that filter.  You could also improve your spam
handling behaviors I suspect.

-- 
Mike Easter