The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 17.0208  Friday, 24 March 2006

From: 		Hardy M. Cook <
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Date: 		Friday, March 24, 2006
Subject: 	SPOOF!! Will You Be My Valentine? SPOOF!!

Dear SHAKSPEReans,

Many of you have been receiving a SPOOFED message with the Subject line 
that reads "Will You Be My Valentine?"  The message itself has various 
sized hearts on a pink background with a "Click to attachment to load a 
picture" above a box and followed by what appears to be a poem.

Let me reassure you that I did not send you this message nor has the new 
SHAKSPER server or listserv software been compromised in any way.

The message is a result of our archives being "harvested" by a spoofer's 
robot. Eric writes me that "Obfuscating email addresses is the only way 
to stop spoofers, but it is a major task" and "I'm not sure what we can 
do about this.  The best way would be to restrict access to the archive. 
  That would keep robots from harvesting.  Otherwise, we'd have to 
figure out a way to obfuscate all of the addresses, and there is no 
guarantee that someone won't figure out how to get around whatever 
method we employ.  A changeable encryption key used to obfuscate 
addresses via javascript would work well, but that requires major 
programming and web re-design.  There are easier methods to deploy, but 
most robots can already defeat them."

Eric and I will continue to think about what we may do to stop future 
incidents, but unfortunately spoofing is one of the by-products of using 
the Internet.

As for general operating procedures, I would never send members anything 
that is not list related; so if something you received appears 
suspicious, delete it immediately without reading or opening it. 
Especially stay away from any attachments to any message that is not 
from a person you trust in a message you are expecting.

All digests from me will have the From line that reads "Hardy M. Cook 
<
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 >." Occasionally, you might receive a message from 
listserv as a result of a command I issued in your behalf; on those 
occasions, the From line will read "SHAKSPER LISTSERV Server (14.4) 

 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 >."  Furthermore, listserv only sends plain text 
files; so if you receive a message purportedly from me or listserv that 
is formatted in HTML, delete it immediately.

This valentine spoofed message has "Editor <
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 >" in the 
 From line rather than "Hardy M. Cook <
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 >": a give 
away that something in not right.

Hardy M. Cook
Editor

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