What's going on?

Jeff Liebermann · Oct 31, 2009

On Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:42:26 -0700 (PDT), JeffM <jeffm_@email.com>
wrote:

5. Do your own filtering. I use nfilter:

...and Platt has already mentioned Leafnode.

They're not quite the same. NewsProxy/nfilter are filters that
operate in the news reader. Leafnode is a full usenet news server,
where you read and archive your news locally. It does have a built in
filter suitable for filtering out spam. Leafnode is great if you
happen to have a dedicated Unix server handy that's running 24x7x365.

Full disclosure: I've been involved in usenet news since Bnews
running on Xenix 286 in the early 1980's when there were only 16
newsgroups and everyone was incredibly polite. I've also helped
admin, moderate, and monitor usenet news servers and groups, a
nightmare I never wish to repeat.

History of Usenet (according to Giganews):
<http://www.giganews.com/usenet-history/>
<http://www.giganews.com/usenet-history/sitemap.html>

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

JeffM · Oct 31, 2009

TonyS wrote:
Is there anything that can be done about it?

Jeff Liebermann wrote:
4. Tell Google that they've switched from "Do no evil"
to being the source of much evil.
They need to do some enforcement, but that's difficult
since usenet news does not generate any advertising revenue.

Actually, Google Groups includes in their pagefeeds
an iframe called http://groups.google.com/groups/adfetch?...
(unless you block that, as I do).

5. Do your own filtering. I use nfilter:

....and Platt has already mentioned Leafnode.

In the parallel thread,
news:2rige59g517cas210ok4ta7jjtih576kom@4ax.com
Webb mentioned the concept
but didn't mention the software he uses (Hamster ).
This has all been discussed numerous times:
http://groups.google.com/groups/search?q=nFilter+OR+NewsProxy+Hamster+Leafnode+-jeffm_+-News.Proxy+-inurl:www&num=50

Google's listing of this genre omits nFilter/NewsProxy. 8-(
http://google.com/search?q=cache:1rBSA7HUYnwJ:www.google.com/Top/Computers/Software/Internet/Servers/Usenet+Leafnode+open.source+Linux+Windows+Wine+newshamster+Unix+Hamster+Freely.available+Solaris+Cool+GNU+us+Win9x-*-*

JeffM · Oct 31, 2009

Jeff Liebermann wrote:

Full disclosure: I've been involved in usenet news since Bnews
running on Xenix 286 in the early 1980's when there were
only 16 newsgroups and everyone was incredibly polite.
I've also helped admin, moderate, and monitor
usenet news servers and groups,
a nightmare I never wish to repeat.

I figured something like that.

I was just tacking on some more ideas for the OP.

....and most folks don't pay much mind
to the nuances of Google Groups
--not even those who use it for daily Usenet access. 8-(

History of Usenet (according to Giganews):
http://www.giganews.com/usenet-history/

That's a useful once-over-lightly page

--certainly better than Wikipedia's page on Usenet
which gets deep really fast.

Bob Larter · Nov 1, 2009

TonyS wrote:

JeffM wrote:
Phil Hobbs wrote:

You really should check the header before posting such advice.
It appears that the problem isn't *getting* the proper software
but in not making the effort to learn how to use it effectively.

...and an additional layer in the stack improves the yield:
http://groups.google.com/groups/search?q=nFilter+OR+NewsProxy+Hamster+Leafnode+-jeffm_+-News.Proxy+-inurl:www&num=100

Thanks for the links. I use Thunderbird and will look into this.
The strange thing is that never before I saw the need for any spam filter.

I do filter out certain unpleasant posters, which is only partly useful
as I still see the posts that reply to the OP.

I've been on usenet for close to 20 years end have never come across
spam of this scale. It's fair to assume that something has changed.

No, not really. It's just that spammers have figured out how to automate
account-creation at Google, so there's more of them these days.

--
W
. | ,. w , "Some people are alive only because
\|/ \|/ it is illegal to kill them." Perna condita delenda est
---^----^---------------------------------------------------------------

Bob Larter · Nov 1, 2009

N_Cook wrote:

David Nebenzahl <nobody@but.us.chickens> wrote in message
news:4ae64244$0$11315$822641b3@news.adtechcomputers.com...
On 10/26/2009 3:55 PM TonyS spake thus:

I've been on usenet for close to 20 years end have never come across
spam of this scale. It's fair to assume that something has changed.
Something has, indeed. It's called Google (Google Groups). They've
really fucked things up around here.

--
Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism

It was fine when it was
http://www.deja.com/usenet

You mean DejaNews.

bought by guess who?

Ayup. And many of us predicted that this would be what would happen.

--
W
. | ,. w , "Some people are alive only because
\|/ \|/ it is illegal to kill them." Perna condita delenda est
---^----^---------------------------------------------------------------

Bob Larter · Nov 1, 2009

David Nebenzahl wrote:

On 10/27/2009 12:19 AM N_Cook spake thus:

David Nebenzahl <nobody@but.us.chickens> wrote in message
news:4ae64244$0$11315$822641b3@news.adtechcomputers.com...

On 10/26/2009 3:55 PM TonyS spake thus:

I've been on usenet for close to 20 years end have never come across
spam of this scale. It's fair to assume that something has changed.

Something has, indeed. It's called Google (Google Groups). They've
really fucked things up around here.

It was fine when it was
http://www.deja.com/usenet
bought by guess who?

Yes it was. Let's not forget who fucked it all up. It was those
"geniuses" over there in Mountain View.

Yeah. "Don't be evil", my arse.

--
W
. | ,. w , "Some people are alive only because
\|/ \|/ it is illegal to kill them." Perna condita delenda est
---^----^---------------------------------------------------------------

Bob Larter · Nov 1, 2009

TonyS wrote:

Jerry Peters wrote:
TonyS <scarborofun@gmail.nspm.com> wrote:

So switch providers to one that does the filtering. I see little or no
spam in sci.electronics.repair using eternal-september. They're free,
text-only, but do require registration.

Jerry

I just did what you suggested and sure enough, there is not a single
spam. And it seems fast enough. Thanks.
The thing is, my ISP used to provide the news and there was also no spam
in this group. Then they outsourced to giganews and now there is all
this spam.
However, there is a number of groups that are restricted to users of my
ISP. These are groups that are local and they have become quite
important to me.
You can't get them with any other provider.

That means I have to work with 2 news providers now and that's only
because giganews doesn't filter properly. I have complained to my
provider but nothing has changed, yet.

In Thunderbird, you can set up multiple news providers. (via New
Account.) Use eternal-september for the public groups, & only use
Giganews for your local groups.

--
W
. | ,. w , "Some people are alive only because
\|/ \|/ it is illegal to kill them." Perna condita delenda est
---^----^---------------------------------------------------------------

Bob Larter · Nov 1, 2009

Meat Plow wrote:

On Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:55:36 +0800, TonyS
scarborofun@gmail.nspm.com>wrote:

Where is all this spam coming from?
Can hardly find the posts.
Or is it just my news server, no one seams do mind?

Is there anything that can be done about it?
Like fines for anyone who ever buys anything from a spammer?

Tony

Not seen on Altopia.

Really? Back when I used them, Altopias boast used to be that they
didn't filter anything.

--
W
. | ,. w , "Some people are alive only because
\|/ \|/ it is illegal to kill them." Perna condita delenda est
---^----^---------------------------------------------------------------

TonyS · Nov 1, 2009

Bob Larter wrote:

TonyS wrote:

In Thunderbird, you can set up multiple news providers. (via New
Account.) Use eternal-september for the public groups, & only use
Giganews for your local groups.

Yes, thats what I am doing now.
Just for good measure I am trying my spam filter on giganews.
Sort of works now actually.

:-D

Jeff Liebermann · Nov 1, 2009

On Sun, 1 Nov 2009 20:43:43 +0000 (UTC), Jerry Peters
<jerry@example.invalid> wrote:

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:
2. Don't buy from spammers. A large number of people buy from them,
mostly because of the price and easy availability (i.e. Viagra).

But what's the probability that I'd actually *receive* Viagra or
whatever? Especially from China.
Jerry

That's not the problem. The various China vendors generally ship
something. The problem is getting stuck with fake Viagra.
<http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19953177/>
"In April last year, a tip from Pfizer Inc., the maker of Viagra, also
led to the arrest in Shanghai of a suspect identified only by his
surname Huang, who allegedly sold fake Viagra and other brands of
medicine... Most drugs with the Viagra label sold in China are bogus
versions. Six months after Viagra was introduced, state media reported
that 90 percent of the little blue pills sold in Shanghai were fake."
More:

"Fake Viagra: Organized Crime's New Goods"
<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/28/fake-viagra-organized-cri_n_336813.html

"Bogus Viagra Business Booms"
<http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/10/02/eveningnews/main524109.shtml>

"Over 120Kgs Of Fake Viagra Seized"
<http://www.ukmedix.com/viagra/over_120kgs_of_fake_viagra_seized4453.cfm>

"Feds seize fake Viagra at Miami International Airport"
<http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/sfl-fake-viagra-seized-bn102309,0,5608667.story>

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

PeterD · Nov 1, 2009

On Sun, 1 Nov 2009 20:43:43 +0000 (UTC), Jerry Peters
<jerry@example.invalid> wrote:

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:
On Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:55:36 +0800, TonyS <scarborofun@gmail.nspm.com
wrote:

Where is all this spam coming from?

Most email spam comes from users PC's taken over by a botnet. Since
email and usenet readers are often common, some of the email spam is
leaking over to usenet.

Can hardly find the posts.
Or is it just my news server, no one seams do mind?

Usenet news providers put quite a bit of effort into filtering out the
spam. Every once in a while, a large amount leaks through. It lasts
for a day or two, a filter gets crafted by the usenet news provider,
and life continues normally. Different Usenet news providers have
different philosophies about spam. Supernews used to be very
aggressive at eliminating spam, resulting in about 1 in 20 of my
posting just disappearing because something I included was treated as
spam. Other services advertise that they're "censorship free" which
simply means they don't bother doing any filtering for spam.
http://www.exit109.com/~jeremy/news/cleanfeed/

Is there anything that can be done about it?

1. Don't click on the included links. That's how the spammers
determine if their advertising is effective.
2. Don't buy from spammers. A large number of people buy from them,
mostly because of the price and easy availability (i.e. Viagra).

But what's the probability that I'd actually *receive* Viagra or
whatever? Especially from China.

Jerry

According to Al Gore, very good...

Jerry Peters · Nov 1, 2009

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:

On Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:55:36 +0800, TonyS <scarborofun@gmail.nspm.com
wrote:

Where is all this spam coming from?

Most email spam comes from users PC's taken over by a botnet. Since
email and usenet readers are often common, some of the email spam is
leaking over to usenet.

Can hardly find the posts.
Or is it just my news server, no one seams do mind?

Usenet news providers put quite a bit of effort into filtering out the
spam. Every once in a while, a large amount leaks through. It lasts
for a day or two, a filter gets crafted by the usenet news provider,
and life continues normally. Different Usenet news providers have
different philosophies about spam. Supernews used to be very
aggressive at eliminating spam, resulting in about 1 in 20 of my
posting just disappearing because something I included was treated as
spam. Other services advertise that they're "censorship free" which
simply means they don't bother doing any filtering for spam.
http://www.exit109.com/~jeremy/news/cleanfeed/

Is there anything that can be done about it?

1. Don't click on the included links. That's how the spammers
determine if their advertising is effective.
2. Don't buy from spammers. A large number of people buy from them,
mostly because of the price and easy availability (i.e. Viagra).

But what's the probability that I'd actually *receive* Viagra or
whatever? Especially from China.

Jerry

Arfa Daily · Nov 1, 2009

"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
news:25ure5d2602cupcsk15ruddm0vgefoalsk@4ax.com...

On Sun, 1 Nov 2009 20:43:43 +0000 (UTC), Jerry Peters
jerry@example.invalid> wrote:

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:
2. Don't buy from spammers. A large number of people buy from them,
mostly because of the price and easy availability (i.e. Viagra).

But what's the probability that I'd actually *receive* Viagra or
whatever? Especially from China.
Jerry

That's not the problem. The various China vendors generally ship
something. The problem is getting stuck with fake Viagra.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19953177/
"In April last year, a tip from Pfizer Inc., the maker of Viagra, also
led to the arrest in Shanghai of a suspect identified only by his
surname Huang, who allegedly sold fake Viagra and other brands of
medicine... Most drugs with the Viagra label sold in China are bogus
versions. Six months after Viagra was introduced, state media reported
that 90 percent of the little blue pills sold in Shanghai were fake."
More:

"Fake Viagra: Organized Crime's New Goods"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/28/fake-viagra-organized-cri_n_336813.html

"Bogus Viagra Business Booms"
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/10/02/eveningnews/main524109.shtml

"Over 120Kgs Of Fake Viagra Seized"
http://www.ukmedix.com/viagra/over_120kgs_of_fake_viagra_seized4453.cfm

"Feds seize fake Viagra at Miami International Airport"
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/sfl-fake-viagra-seized-bn102309,0,5608667.story

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

I bought some and took three to be on the safe side. Got a stiff neck ...

Arfa

Jamie · Nov 1, 2009

Arfa Daily wrote:

"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
news:25ure5d2602cupcsk15ruddm0vgefoalsk@4ax.com...

On Sun, 1 Nov 2009 20:43:43 +0000 (UTC), Jerry Peters
jerry@example.invalid> wrote:

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:

2. Don't buy from spammers. A large number of people buy from them,
mostly because of the price and easy availability (i.e. Viagra).

But what's the probability that I'd actually *receive* Viagra or
whatever? Especially from China.
Jerry

That's not the problem. The various China vendors generally ship
something. The problem is getting stuck with fake Viagra.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19953177/
"In April last year, a tip from Pfizer Inc., the maker of Viagra, also
led to the arrest in Shanghai of a suspect identified only by his
surname Huang, who allegedly sold fake Viagra and other brands of
medicine... Most drugs with the Viagra label sold in China are bogus
versions. Six months after Viagra was introduced, state media reported
that 90 percent of the little blue pills sold in Shanghai were fake."
More:

"Fake Viagra: Organized Crime's New Goods"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/28/fake-viagra-organized-cri_n_336813.html

"Bogus Viagra Business Booms"
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/10/02/eveningnews/main524109.shtml

"Over 120Kgs Of Fake Viagra Seized"
http://www.ukmedix.com/viagra/over_120kgs_of_fake_viagra_seized4453.cfm

"Feds seize fake Viagra at Miami International Airport"
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/sfl-fake-viagra-seized-bn102309,0,5608667.story

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

I bought some and took three to be on the safe side. Got a stiff neck ...

Arfa

Are you sure you were the one that took the viagra ?

Jeff Liebermann · Nov 2, 2009

On Sun, 1 Nov 2009 22:52:19 -0000, "Arfa Daily"
<arfa.daily@ntlworld.com> wrote:

I bought some and took three to be on the safe side. Got a stiff neck ...

Arfa

Close. Now we know how the Bits "maintain a stiff upper lip":
<http://www.sterlingtimes.org/memorable_images61.htm>

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

What's going on?

Jeff Liebermann

Guest

JeffM

Guest

JeffM

Guest

Bob Larter

Guest

Bob Larter

Guest

Bob Larter

Guest

Bob Larter

Guest

Bob Larter

Guest

TonyS

Guest

Jeff Liebermann

Guest

PeterD

Guest

Jerry Peters

Guest

Arfa Daily

Guest

Jamie

Guest

Jeff Liebermann

Guest

Welcome to EDABoard.com

Sponsor

Online statistics

Forum statistics

What's going on?

Jeff Liebermann

Guest

JeffM

Guest

JeffM

Guest

Bob Larter

Guest

Bob Larter

Guest

Bob Larter

Guest

Bob Larter

Guest

Bob Larter

Guest

TonyS

Guest

Jeff Liebermann

Guest

PeterD

Guest

Jerry Peters

Guest

Arfa Daily

Guest

Jamie

Guest

Jeff Liebermann

Guest

Log in

Welcome to EDABoard.com

Sponsor