I then put all of addresses in a file on a web page with an invisible link to it - let's call it "Trash Page". If you visit my site, you will never see it. But, a spammer using harvesting software will hit that page. They will harvest each and every address that I loaded onto that page.

Thinking they hit a bonanza, all those unduplicated addresses will be captured by them. Now, two things will happen. First, all forged addresses on list that they send to, will be returned to them as undeliverable, causing them extra work to clean their lists.

Second, all spam received from a legitimate address, will be on lists of all spamsters, and they will get their "just deserts".

Eventually, pros will figure out what I have done, and will block web page that houses them. But that is not my goal. I started putting those invisible links to that "Trash Page", on a number of my web pages. Now, they can't just block a particular page, but will have to block my entire domain. Great - now I won't have all addresses on my site being harvested by these miscreants.

If this idea snowballs, and I hope it does, a major percentage of all email addresses being sold by "email list providers" will be worthless. You might think about this if you are ever tempted to purchase their "thousands of email addresses" for $49.95.

The spam problem is not going to go away in foreseeable future. If webmasters took steps I have taken, it just might go away sooner. Anyone who sends me an unsolicited email, advertising their "latest and greatest, will wind up on this list.

If you want to participate in this project, send an email to mailto:scambusters@adv-marketing.com - please include URL for your web site. (I want to make sure you are legitimate, and not a spamster on a "fishing expedition")

Note - to participate, you must be able to upload web pages to your site.

Another problem is that you can be quite sure that someone will report you to "Spam Cop", who in turn places a complaint with your ISP. Spam Cop may not check validity of a complaint prior to notifying your ISP, which I feel is unconscionable on their part. Unfortunately, if they do forward complaint to your ISP, you will have to defend yourself. That is why you should immediately notify your ISP if this happens. If you have a copy of spam, be sure to send it along with your notification, and also save a copy in case it is needed later.

The second major problem a spammer can cause, is to steal an image from your web site that they use in their email. If they send their email in HTML format, and many do, they can actually link to an image on your web site. They are in effect stealing your bandwidth. Many web servers have bandwidth limits, which limit amount of information you can send and receive each month. If you exceed that limit, you could be liable for additional charges from your web space provider.

If they do this to you, your only recourse is to change name of image, displayed on your web site that they are stealing. Another effective step is to replace original image that they are using. Replace it with a notification that sender of email has stolen image from you, and advise anyone who receives it not to do business with them. Once you do this, anyone who receives their spam will receive your warning.

When you get down to bottom line, even people who send out emails with forged addresses are stealing. If you receive hundreds of spam emails a day with no way to have your name removed from their list, they are using your resources without your permission. You then have to sort through all this "junk mail" to find your legitimate email.

Theft of services is a serious problem. Unfortunately, it appears that only solution will be through legislation making it illegal, and provide severe punishments for guilty parties.