[SpamCop-List] Re: SDF.org sporadically listed in bl.spamcop.net

[Frank Ellermann]

Larry Kilgallen wrote:
 
> But backscatter _is_ spam.

A completely different kind of spam, as the OP pointed out
SDF.org is "antispam" (at least wannabe).  Spam from some
zombie (or worms from an infected system) are a different
category, not the same problem as backscatter.

With zombies or worms blacklist the source IP, maybe inform
the ISP (if it was a human reporter, not a spam trap), and
be done with it, it's up to the ISP to educate his user.

With backscatter it can be tricky to analyze the problem,
it's much better if these cases are restricted to "human"
reports with visible evidence.

An SPF FAIL policy for "spam traps" won't guarantee this -
after all the spammer and the receiver are free to ignore
it - but it's more likely to catch "real" spam with this
strategy.

Besides I'm convinced that there are "legit" cases where
backcatter is unavoidable without an SPF FAIL policy on
the side of the alleged "Return-Path", and SPF checks on
the side of the receiver.

If you think that it's always avoidable without SPF please
publish your secret recipe... <g>  

                    Bye, Frank