--- begin forwarded text Mime-Version: 1.0 Date: Wed, 7 May 1997 13:24:57 +0200 Reply-To: Law & Policy of Computer Communications <CYBERIA-L@LISTSERV.AOL.COM> Sender: Law & Policy of Computer Communications <CYBERIA-L@LISTSERV.AOL.COM> From: Wendy Leibowitz <wendyl@LJEXTRA.COM> Subject: Spam Update/Cyber Promo attacked To: CYBERIA-L@LISTSERV.AOL.COM While aware of the irony of sending an unsolicited message from Cyber Promotions to a large group of people, this bulletin just arrived from our friends at Cyber: PHILADELPHIA, 5-7-97 Bulk e-mail giant Cyber Promotions is under attack by "anti-spam" hackers. This concentrated attack was planned for several weeks, and has been publicly discussed on Internet newsgroups. The hackers are using a brand new method to deny service to all Cyber Promotions' computers hooked to a main router on an AGIS line. The hackers have devised a system which sends millions of random "arp" requests to a router, which can disable the whole network for hours. This type of attack has never occurred before. Currently thousands of businesses with web pages and mail box accounts are being denied service. The attack began yesterday around 4 PM Eastern, and is still occurring at press time. But the [source of the] attack is traceable with the help of a backbone provider and computer security specialists. The longer it occurs, the easier it is to trace it back to the hacker. Cyber Promotions will work in conjunction with federal authorities to prosecute the criminals. ....... This latest attack is occurring, by no coincidence, on the same day that Cyber Promotions, AGIS and several bulk e-mailers scheduled a press conference in Las Vegas to discuss the formation of a new association which will enforce a universal "don not send" list along with many other ethical bulk e-mail standards. ........... It goes on, but I need to ponder the meaning of "ethical bulk e-mail standards." Wendy R. Leibowitz, Technology Editor National Law Journal 345 Park Ave. South New York, NY 10010 E-mail: wendyl@ljextra.com "Remember, even pencils break." --- end forwarded text ----------------- Robert Hettinga (rah@shipwright.com), Philodox e$, 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' The e$ Home Page: http://www.shipwright.com/