Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Applications
    • Applications

    Sign E-Mail to Regain Control

    By
    Rod Wright
    -
    December 1, 2003
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      It makes sense to pull the burden of overcoming spam off users backs and shift the responsibility for spam to senders. I agree that a white-list system with embedded document signatures is a step in the right direction. Only dont stop at e-mail; use a white-list registration scheme for all Internet users, with embedded signatures required in every document on the Internet, including Web pages, e-mail and images—everything.

      In such a system, every user would have to supply valid, instantly verifiable credentials to access or create documents. Document signatures would be categorized by type, from a default general category for everyday use to specific types, such as for marketing, organizations or porn. Filtering would then be straightforward—by category only—with no need for complex content filtering. The benefits could extend much further to the more serious problems of viruses and worms.

      If each document transmitted over the Internet were required to carry an instantly verifiable signature, documents without them could be prohibited. Once a document with a virus is detected, signature blocks could be set in Internet routers. Of course, the bad guys will cloak and clone legitimate addresses, but automated challenges could be set in place to block them.

      Telltale signatures would be more easily identified in quick fashion, providing trace mechanisms for identifying perpetrators. Such a system would ideally be an extension of current DNS, controlling the backbone fabric over which all such traffic passes. Of course, safeguards would be needed to blunt hack attacks.

      This is where law comes into the picture. With controls in place requiring registration by all and requiring all documents to carry valid signatures, free and unfettered access would be available only to those conducting business on the Net in appropriate fashion. If an e-mail marketer were to send out a campaign under the general instead of the appropriate marketing category with his signature, he would be violating the law and might even go to jail. If a porn purveyor were to publish content or send spam without the porn category on his signature, the consequences would be similar. Since filtration could easily be set for receivers to limit what they receive, nobody would be denied the right to publish or send whatever they desire. Thus, freedom of speech would not be an issue.

      Such a scheme would be complex and impossible to fully describe here. However, it would be a significant step forward in the war to save the Internet for legitimate use.

      Rod Wright is an independent consultant in Atlanta. His e-mail address is [email protected] Free Spectrum is a forum for the IT community. Send your comments and submissions to [email protected]

      Rod Wright

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Android

      Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: Durability for Tough...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 5, 2020 0
      Have you ever dropped your phone, winced and felt the pain as it hit the sidewalk? Either the screen splintered like a windshield being...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×