Tech: What does this mean????

Subject: dvhmrs jstc
From: GUEST,mnobwht jqpwucvr
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 03:08 PM

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Subject: RE: Tech: What does this mean????
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 May 08 - 09:16 PM

We keep getting messages like these, and they get deleted as Spam, but I have always wondered what they're all about.
Any ideas?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: What does this mean????
From: Sorcha
Date: 03 May 08 - 09:20 PM

Perhaps they are messages from space? Aliens trying to contact us?
Secret code.....for only the Initiated Brotherhood?
Dead Mormon men from their very own planet?

Subject: RE: Tech: What does this mean????
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 03 May 08 - 09:31 PM

I dunno, but if you enter any string from those messages into Google's search box you get this message:

We're sorry...

... but your query looks similar to automated requests from a computer virus or spyware application. To protect our users, we can't process your request right now.

We'll restore your access as quickly as possible, so try again soon. In the meantime, if you suspect that your computer or network has been infected, you might want to run a virus checker or spyware remover to make sure that your systems are free of viruses and other spurious software.

If you're continually receiving this error, you may be able to resolve the problem by deleting your Google cookie and revisiting Google. For browser-specific instructions, please consult your browser's online support center.

If your entire network is affected, more information is available in the Google Web Search Help Center.

We apologize for the inconvenience, and hope we'll see you again on Google.

Subject: RE: Tech: What does this mean????
From: Slag
Date: 04 May 08 - 01:51 AM

A means of defeating spam filters. Or an attempt to defeat the same.

Subject: RE: Tech: What does this mean????
From: Amos
Date: 04 May 08 - 03:48 AM

My guess is that it is an automated script looking for targets that show vulnerability to takeover, depending on the response to random input into text fields.

I assume Mudcat servers are not vulnerable to such takeover.

A

Subject: RE: Tech: What does this mean????
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 04 May 08 - 04:52 AM

In ancient days of long ago, spam filters looked for specific words. Most of them still do. As SPAMMERS became more sophisticated, the filters did too, and began looking for "consistent word groupings," without checking what the actual words were; and early versions could be fooled by random characters in word-sized groups, if they didn't contain specific words on an "exclude" list.

Current spam and phishing filters spell check before looking for the words in the list, and commonly reject "nonsense words." They may also use the "quick search" method of collapsing all the words, usually just by removing the vowels, and checking to see if anything then matches a "collapsed word" on the exclude list.

Another ploy used by Spammers has been to in ser t rand om spa ces in wor ds l ike Vi agr a and Nig e ria to try to "break past" the filters.

If it's not clearly written, with the commonly acceptable grammar and punctuation of the language of your choice, you will NOT BE HARMED by considering it SPAM and immediately hitting the DELETE button. You QUITE PROBABLY WILL BE HARMED by opening the mail or looking at any enclosures.

(Or, as noted, if you Google for the text indicated, Google may require you to log out (delete your cookie) and reconnect before you can Google again.)

DELETE!!!!

Don't even think about being curious. There are far too many things worth learning about to waste time on OBVIOUS SPAM (or even on something that just looks like obvious SPAM).

John

Subject: RE: Tech: What does this mean????
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 May 08 - 05:08 AM

Yes, JiK,

Some time ago it became the fashion to insert large chunks from novels, newspapers, etc in an attempt to mask the SPAM. They seem to have stopped that technique.

I remember starting a thread about that then... many words of wisdom were posted therein... or atleast _I_ thought so.... :-P

Subject: RE: Tech: What does this mean????
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 04 May 08 - 05:24 AM

Foolestroupe -

I think that perhaps you're implying that you yourself might have posted some words of wisdom in the earlier thread.

I can well believe that might have been the case, as I can distinctly remember¹ when you used to do that sort of thing occasionally.

¹ At least I think I remember something like that happening once or twice.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: What does this mean????
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 May 08 - 07:11 AM

I had to close the guestbook on my webpage because of stuff like that. It was a pity. cos really good old friends from previous lives got in touch with me from that. i was getting nearly a hundred messages a day. My server couldn't protect the site, and I was spending too long just wiping all this crap out everyday.

Subject: RE: Tech: What does this mean????
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 May 08 - 07:48 AM

"At least I think I remember something like that happening once or twice."

From you, that's damn faint praise....

Subject: RE: Tech: What does this mean????
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 04 May 08 - 09:09 AM

If you're really any good, you probably know it and I don't have to tell you. But I might kid around with it a bit.

If you just think you're good I probably would try to avoid spoiling your delusions, 'cause it's quite possibly a necessary quirk you need to flounder your way through things. Don' wanna be cruel and wouldn't ever wanna start an argyment.

Gandhi said something to the effect of:

"You can't tease someone better than you,

'cause that would be stupid.

You can't tease someone lesser than you,

'cause that would be cruel.

You can only tease one who's your equal."

John

Subject: RE: Tech: What does this mean????
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 05 May 08 - 01:42 AM

Sorry, I meant, "Damning with faint praise" ... :-)

"You can only tease one who's your equal"

Sorry, I ASS-U-MEd you were also in the +5 Sd range.... :-P