Hi,

cleanbash, I do not think that da_zero is recommending spam, it is more a security issue. The article he refers to is 8 years old. I am trying to recall, but I do not think that spam was much of a problem in those days, except, perhaps, if you used AOL?

There is a similarity in concept, in that spammers will spoof their IDs and look for a server that permits relaying to dump their c**p on the internet. That way they remain anonymous.

The anonymous re-mailer, on the other hand, is a trusted service in a non-aligned, democratic country, that allows people to communicate with one another without revealing their true identities. If you happen to live in a "police state" this might be useful?

If such a site were to permit spamming, I am sure that their ISP would shut them down pretty quickly. Also, they would be looking for spam and would close accounts that appeared to be being used for it?

My question was really how useful such a service is TODAY, given that there are other ways of going about it, as several members have already mentioned?

There are many free mail providers where you can set up a fictitious account. A web-based system where you use their application and server is more secure than the local SMTP variety, where "evidence" is stored on your local machine; although you still need to be wary of local security. Temporary files, the page/swap file etc?

As for antisocial behaviour, these days anyone with sense has a personal firewall and their mailing system has filtering capabilities, so you just block the annoyance? 8 years ago this was certainly not the case. Also, the concept of the anonymous re-mailer is that it is between consenting parties?

At the end of the day, if it is illegal or annoying.......don't do it?

Cheers