Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Nickbat on 18 May 2010, 19:40:04

Title: Sudden upsurge in spam
Post by: Nickbat on 18 May 2010, 19:40:04
I have a spam filter (courtesy of my webhost) which has been very effective at killing spam over the last few years. However, over the last 2 or 3 weeks there has been a sudden upsurge in the amount of spam getting through, even though I have been retraining the filter almost daily.

Around 90% of the spam contains the text "Pfizer Viagra" in the "from" section but it seems i can't get the filter to look for this text and block it.

Anyone else noticed increased spam in the few weeks?

It's beginning to get on my nerves.  >:(
Title: Re: Sudden upsurge in spam
Post by: SJKOO01 on 18 May 2010, 19:45:09
You, me, and plenty of others I expect ?!.

I've been doing the same as you, marking "Pfizer Viagra" as spam, yet it still gets through.

Anyone got a virus that you could send back to them, and screw up their computer system !.  >:( .

All spam, all over the world should be made illegal.
As if you want something, then you'll go looking for it, not need them searching you out, as it is happening to people at present.

It's worse than actual paper junk mail  >:(
Title: Re: Sudden upsurge in spam
Post by: STMO999 on 18 May 2010, 19:59:43
My life is so sad that looking into my spam folder is one of the highlights of my day. ;D
Title: Re: Sudden upsurge in spam
Post by: HolyCount on 18 May 2010, 20:12:18
Not just spam on the up ---- despite being blocked I am also getting more telemarketers ringing !!!!  Aaaargghhh  >:(
Title: Re: Sudden upsurge in spam
Post by: TheBoy on 18 May 2010, 22:37:00
Not noticed myself  :-/
Title: Re: Sudden upsurge in spam
Post by: eddie on 19 May 2010, 00:10:53
Have you tried just putting 'Viagra' in the filter--should last all night at least!

eddie
Title: Re: Sudden upsurge in spam
Post by: Kevin Wood on 19 May 2010, 09:36:11
Didn't get any spam at all over the weekend. Mind you, I'd gone away and my mail server had crashed. ;D

Kevin
Title: Re: Sudden upsurge in spam
Post by: Chris_H on 19 May 2010, 09:45:13
The spammers are constantly looking for ways to circumvent filters so it's not at all surprising if they succeed.  Filters work on fairly simplistic principles mostly because we won't tolerate a few mistakes (quite reasonably).

The incidence goes up when they discover a new method until the spam filter writers program-in the new counter-measure.

I work here with my own spam-filter so see a lot (in fact ALL if I choose) of the stuff that they try.

However, when Pfizer and Viagra, spelt correctly, get through something is VERY wrong.
Title: Re: Sudden upsurge in spam
Post by: Pitchfork on 19 May 2010, 09:49:54
Quote
Not just spam on the up ---- despite being blocked I am also getting more telemarketers ringing !!!!  Aaaargghhh  >:(
Me too
It's suprising how fast they put the phone down when I tell them that I have a device that tells me their number because I work for the Intelligence dept.
(I never get the opportunity to explain that it's Business Intelligence for a company :D)
Title: Re: Sudden upsurge in spam
Post by: Chris_H on 19 May 2010, 09:59:24
Quote
Quote
Not just spam on the up ---- despite being blocked I am also getting more telemarketers ringing !!!!  Aaaargghhh  >:(
Me too
It's suprising how fast they put the phone down when I tell them that I have a device that tells me their number because I work for the Intelligence dept.
(I never get the opportunity to explain that it's Business Intelligence for a company :D)
I've taken to telling them that I add their names to our blacklist.  Quoting their name back to them while ostensibly writing it down tends to cut off the banter.

Then again; there is the Telephone Preference Service (http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/) (has to be renewed every 3 years IIRC), Fax Preference Service (http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/fps/), Mail Preference Service (http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr/), Baby Preference Service!?? (http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/bmpsr/).
Title: Re: Sudden upsurge in spam
Post by: bob.dent on 19 May 2010, 13:07:52
Definitely a large increase over the last couple of months - even getting through our spam filters at work. Most of it appears to be originating from Far Eastern countries, particularly China. >:(
Title: Re: Sudden upsurge in spam
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 19 May 2010, 15:26:20
My spam filer is working.

This just came from sky and went straight to the spam folder.  ;D ;D

Philip,
Treat yourself and your family to a world of great entertainment. Get a free Sky+ box when you join Sky TV or a free Sky+HD box when you join Sky+HD. Plus enjoy free standard set-up and a £25 M&S voucher only when you join Sky TV online.
Simply choose one of our options below depending on whether you want to watch in standard or high definition and experience great quality TV. You'll always get our best value offers online.