Rebel=UK= Posted November 29, 2004 Report Share Posted November 29, 2004 Net users are getting the chance to fight back against spam websites Internet portal Lycos has made a screensaver that endlessly requests data from sites that sell the goods and services mentioned in spam e-mailhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4051553.stm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nellie2 Posted November 29, 2004 Report Share Posted November 29, 2004 Oh I don't like that..... it's Ddos'ing which ever way you look at it. The next thing you know someone will alter the code to attack legit sites! :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expertec Posted November 29, 2004 Report Share Posted November 29, 2004 A screensaver that hijacks you and attacks the anti-spyware sites... scary thought :ninja: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Radfordin Posted November 29, 2004 Report Share Posted November 29, 2004 nellie2 whilst I appreciate what you are saying I would tend not agree. Launching a DOS attack will take a lot more effort than this screensaver plans to do. My impression is that it will request data from the spam company increasing their monthly bandwidth consumption. As bandwidth has to be paid for the thinking is that they won't be able to maintain the payments.Yes someone could alter the code to put a load on a legit site but let's face it you are going to have to relay on lots of people all running the modified app to make a difference.I doubt it'll make a huge difference to the amount of spam that is being sent but it is unlikely to do any long term damage so why not give it a try? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark2 Posted November 29, 2004 Report Share Posted November 29, 2004 The registerSeveral tests are performed to make sure that no server stops working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nellie2 Posted November 29, 2004 Report Share Posted November 29, 2004 No I don't condone this at all. Many of the anti-spyware sites nearly went under because of a Ddos attack last year.It just isn't ethical, it will clog up the internet....... you cannot fight fire with fire. I don't want my computer sending requests out to the internet willy nilly. If I wanted it to do that I could just infect myself with a virus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Radfordin Posted November 29, 2004 Report Share Posted November 29, 2004 On what basis isn't it ethical? Where are 'we' getting our ethics from for the Internet?Perhaps in a virtual world you can fight fire with fire...it hasn't been done before has it? The police seem quite happy to set up sites to 'trap' people who would be looking to committ a crime - is that ethical?I don't have a problem with this being done but remain doubtful of the effect it would have. Lycos however will no doubt get something out of it...no such thing as a free lunch :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topband Posted November 30, 2004 Report Share Posted November 30, 2004 Before we get to hot under the collar with the ethics, I've tried to get through to the site screensaver but I have not been unable to connect to the site for days. Either they have to pay for more bandwidth (that's irony for you) or the plugs been pulled.Frankly the amount of spam I get now is minimal, so if the program is still available it'll probably die a death long term anyway.Oh, by the way, I've no interest in using the program, I have my own way of dealing with spam, its called the delete key :) I was curious about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nellie2 Posted November 30, 2004 Report Share Posted November 30, 2004 Sir RadIt's just my opinion, but it seems to me that sending requests to a server with the intention of causing harm is wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel=UK= Posted November 30, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2004 it only sends 3mbs per person a day ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted November 30, 2004 Report Share Posted November 30, 2004 Two wrongs don't make a... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel=UK= Posted November 30, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2004 hmmm yeah but it feels better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Radfordin Posted November 30, 2004 Report Share Posted November 30, 2004 Still comes back to your ethical standing. If something is for the greater good can is also be wrong? Or is wrong always an absolute?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nellie2 Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 This was what I was talking about click here, which ever way you look at it, even if you have the best of intentions, a denial of service attack is wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 I just did a presentation on DoS and DDoS attacks in school. This is not a DoS program but does the same thing a DoS would.Spam or not, these people are trying to make money. We don't spam M$ for making a crappy OS do we? (Sorry Billy :D ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel=UK= Posted December 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 I just did a presentation on DoS and DDoS attacks in school. This is not a DoS program but does the same thing a DoS would.Spam or not, these people are trying to make money. We don't spam M$ for making a crappy OS do we? (Sorry Billy :D )making money out things i didnt ask for/want ......& wasting my time and £ downloading it...as well all know time=money We put M$ stuff on because we want to.... i dont want these emails. ill be using this Screensaver and ill be telling my mates to :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 I just did a presentation on DoS and DDoS attacks in school. This is not a DoS program but does the same thing a DoS would.Spam or not, these people are trying to make money. We don't spam M$ for making a crappy OS do we? (Sorry Billy :D )making money out things i didnt ask for/want ......& wasting my time and £ downloading it...as well all know time=money We put M$ stuff on because we want to.... i dont want these emails. ill be using this Screensaver and ill be telling my mates to :DI agree Rebel. Power to the People! :DJust remember your taking money out of someone's pocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.