Have you asked yourself lately ... ? March 7, 2008, Vol. 2, No. 2 12:41p.m., PST Blog by Rochelle ~ Who ARE these "sheep scabs"* spoofing us with spam? I don't know about you, but I'm just trying to have a little life here, you know? We're taught that working hard and being good to others will ensure a satisfying, comfortable life. Unfortunately somewhere between 40 and 50 years, I grew up (somewhat) and was hit in the face with reality. However, I still try to maintain a life of ethics and prefer to help rather than hinder, with a healthy modicum of distrust and disdain for those who insist on wreaking misery on society. For some ridiculous reason it seems to be my ilk to attempt to understand the whys and wherefores of those who commit dastardly deeds and yes, even grant a dollop of sympathy, preferring to believe but for different circumstances they may have been quite decent human beings. Perhaps a better childhood, better economic fortune, or simply better luck. I cannot, however, bestow even one understanding molecule, one ounce of sympathy, or begin to fathom the gall of the "sheep scabs" who take our "pure" business or personal email addresses and besmirch their good names by using them for their own nefarious purposes--to spam other poor souls who want none of their damn trinkets, penis-growing pills, diet didactics, or obvious internet marketing prowess tips. What are "sheep scabs"? Per the Oxford American College Dictionary: >n. an intensely itching skin disease of sheep caused by a parasitic mite." What a perfect description! They are an intense, parasitic itch on our internet skins! If you haven't guessed already, I've been spoofed. On more than one address. You may be too and not even know it. Is that "what I get" for trying to be accessible on the Web and demonstrate convenient business practices?  Excuse me for trying to run an open and forthright service. That does NOT excuse these people who have taken my business email addresses, inserted them in their email systems and spewed spam out "in my good name"--and the further insult of it all, is they send the spam TO me, FROM me!!!! Every day I "blacklist" approximately a 100 email addresses that assault my inboxes. Am I blacklisting the addresses of people I might want to do business with someday? Maybe. And because these shadowy demons have permeated my inner sanctum and use MY address(es), I can only assume the same is happening to me. Without knowledge I could be summarily banished from a potential or current client mailbox. And I can't do a blasted thing about it. I have had spam come "from" some highly "reputable" sources. Give me another day and I'll cite some for you, so you will realize no one is safe.  Oh sure, I've been told by my webhost that there are a few ways to combat it, but I'm sure my eyes glazed over on the second sentence of technological cyber-babble. I'm just a struggling artist here and certainly cannot afford to pay a webmistress to "fix things." So I'm stuck. I don't have time to research and learn, and/or budget to provide healing salve for my chronic irritating itch. My only redeeming thought is that Karma truly exists and a thousand birds of prey will fly up their nostrils. If you have read this far, then you likely are commiserating with me and wondering what can be done about these parasites. I for one, am going to trace the origin of the offending spam as far as I can--like the one I found using my address the other day: www.surfacefollow.com, advertising themselves as "Canadian Pharmacy - #1 Internet Online Drugstore." I'm sure you're familiar with their email messages; subject line for instance, is often: "Pharmacy Online March 70% OFF," or something similar. Let's start bombarding them with cease-and-desist emails from every corner of the Earth. I sent an angry notification through their online email form on 03/06/08 and though I was very explicit and obviously upset, I have not had a response in more than 24 hours. Next step: they have an email address of: support@canadianpharmacysupport.com, to which I will be submitting another complaint as soon as I publish this blog. And spreading the word in my blogs and anywhere else I can post this travesty shall become my "recreation." How about you? Feel free to help. If you have any questions about the authenticity of my accusation against Canadian Pharmacy, feel free to contact me. I wish no harm on innocents, but shall do everything in my power to thwart those who prey on others. Ciao for now! LR Back to Blog Archives Back to Current Blog Home, James...