[IP] Statement From Verizon Online Regarding Spam Filtering
Title: Statement From Verizon Online Regarding Spam Filtering
------ Forwarded Message
From: Alice Kehoe <akehoe@xxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 18:52:31 -0500
To: <brendan@xxxxxxx>
Cc: <dave@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Statement From Verizon Online Regarding Spam Filtering
Ah yes, a carefully formulated and rational plan of action ... right up there with, "if I shut my eyes, Mama can't see me taking these chocolates."
Statement From Verizon Online Regarding Spam Filtering
Spam is out of control. Leading providers of spam protection tools, such as MX Logic Inc. and MessageLabs, report that some 80 to 90 percent of all e-mail today is spam.
This is a major problem for Internet users in multiple ways. Spam clogs our mailboxes daily to the point where it threatens viability of e-mail as a communications tool. It also routinely carries viruses, identity-theft scams, spyware, and other serious security threats.
As an ISP, Verizon Online is working hard to address these serious security threats on the Internet by closely monitoring our network for incoming and outgoing spam and by working cooperatively with others across the ISP industry on anti-spam initiatives.
These round-the-clock efforts include blocking spam and propagation of viruses from sources we identify using methods that are consistent with industry practices. This is a long-standing policy at Verizon Online.
When we identify sources of spam or viruses, we block them as narrowly as we can and, where possible, we work directly with whoever manages that source to notify them of the issue. We then continuously monitor the source and will lift the block as soon as we are satisfied the threat has been resolved. In many cases, this is resolved within two days; however, we will not remove a block as long as a serious threat remains.
The entire ISP industry is working to combat spam and other online security threats. Verizon Online is a member of various coalitions, including the Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group, which comprises both large and small ISPs covering more than 100 million online subscribers. We have aggressively pursued spammers through legal action and taken a leading role in drafting legislation at the state and national levels. We also are working with domestic and international law-enforcement agencies to combat spam and other threats. In short, Verizon is committed to protecting its customers and its network from the serious security matters that threaten our use of the Internet everyday.
Any spam-blocking method will, inevitably, result in the blocking or delay of otherwise legitimate e-mail. This is yet another reason why spammers are harmful to the Internet community. If a Verizon Online customer believes he is not receiving legitimate e-mail, he should call our technical support desk for assistance and we will work to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. Our Verizon Online Web site also features an Internet security page with practical tips and tools that can help customers protect themselves from Internet threats. It can be found at http://broadbandbeat.verizon.net/safety_security.
We believe that fighting spam is the right thing to do for the safety and security of our more than 4 million broadband and dial-up customers.
Some of the loudest complaints you will see or hear about spam blocking come from the spammers themselves, who lose significant income when their efforts to flood the Internet with unsolicited e-mail are foiled. Our customers expect and demand that we provide them with as safe, secure, and effective an Internet experience as possible, and we are firm in our commitment to do that.
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