Re: rc.local config question

** Reply to message from Richard Ball <[email protected]> on Sat, 08 Jan
2005 09:26:41 -0500


> On 1/8/05 3:37, Stan Goodman wrote:
> ...
> 
> >Is it a
> > way to filter incoming messages (from subscribers) from the increasing amount
> > of spam messages? I would be very interested in such a script.
> > 
> > My list is moderated, so none of the incoming crap ever gets distributed, but
> > it is an annoying PITA to even see it.
> > 
> 
> Stan,
> 
> I ran several lists (using smartlist) on servers over which I had no 
> control for a number of years and had zero real spam on the lists 
> without even having to have them moderated (so I never saw it either)

I too was untroubled until about a year ago. The difference now is that I get
bombarded with crap from non-subscribers sending me HTML and attachements with
apparent viruses.
 
> The key was simply to be strict about what was acceptable:
> 
> no html
> no attachments

I do not allow either HTML or attachments (which usually appear to be viruses).

> reasonable size limitations

Junk/spam doesn't seem to be in enormous messages, and I don't see responses
from the list that an incoming message was too long. The rejection messages
that I do see are for HTML and attachments. I get a copy of the rejection, of
course; another copy is sent to the sender, who doesn't exist, so I get a
bounce message from the ISP whose domain he is using. I would like to throttle
the sons of bitches. 

> only subscribers allowed to post

I allow posts only from subscribers. What I would REALLY like is to prevent
rejection messages to non-subscribers, and for the test for such incoming mail
to precede the tests for HTML and attachments. That would make life bearable
all by itself.

> no automatic subscription (either a confirm package or by-invitation-only)

I am the only one on the planet that can subscribe anybody. Anybody can
unsubscribe without help from me, although few bother, e.g. when they change
ISPs.
 
> plus a few simple tests to catch the occasional virus-generated spoof.

I don't think I need anything like that, if I can block incoming messages from
non-subscribers without generating a rejection notice to the offender.

-- 
Stan Goodman
Qiryat Tiv'on
Israel

"When your enemy falls, do not rejoice." -- Proverbs 24:17

Time is a great healer ... but a lousy beautician.