But, in fact, most spammers are pretty dumb. Most of them wouldn't have a clue about how to get past spam filters. I mean, putting 'viagra' in the subject line?! That's a dead give away! I suspect the reason there are so many ignorant spammers is because they buy the do-it-yourself spam software. There is no one to help them carefully craft their message so as to get past spam filters. There are professional spamming services that can help businesses with a spam campaign. But they probably cost quite a bit of money. I believe it will eventually get to the point where do-it-yourself spam just doesn't work -- it can't get past the spam filters. In that case, "effective" spam will require professional help. And that will cost the businesses that use spam. As a result, only businesses that can afford to spam will do so. (I assume the cost would be over $1000 per mailing.) That would make spam much more predictable. The products offered would be mortgages, spy equipment, fake diplomas, dirty pictures, etc. As the selection of products offered becomes smaller, that makes the job of filters much easier, because there is a much smaller "vocabulary".
So, again, I am optimistic about the possibility of getting spam under control.
Posted by Doug Sauder at August 5, 2002 04:57 AM