The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Spam Kings - for the bookshelf Major Keary |
This title deserves to have its hard cover; it is an historical record - in the
mould of Cuckoo's Egg - that covers spamming and anti-spamming activities over a
period of some five years. The author is an investigative journalist and his
account is written in a style that reads like a novel; and a very good read it
is.
The narrative is woven around Davis Wolfgang Hawke, who had changed his name
from Andrew Britt
Greenbaum, and who is described as "the biggest spammer of all time". Other
leading spammers are introduced along with the people who kept track of their
activities and were instrumental in bringing many of them to court.
The book does not discuss the techniques used by the spammers other than in the
broadest of terms. Nor does it deal with methods of prevention. It is a
fascinating account of spammer exploits and how a small group of individuals
doggedly pursued the spammers and put pressure on ISPs to ban them.
When reading the book it is sometimes hard to remember this is fact, not
fiction. The author brings the characters to life, providing an insight into
their respective personalities and motivations. Some spammers made huge amounts
of money from their efforts.
This is a great read, every bit as exciting as any who-dunnit or spy story - and
not a trace of a gun, violent confrontation, or even a sexual encounter. Those
who did get their comeuppance didn't fare as badly as fictional villains, but
were put out of business. However, the craft of spam is still alive and the
problem remains with us. Accounts of the legal actions make interesting reading
in the context of attempts to legislate against spam and should be of special
interest to anyone involved in communications law.
A really well written book that reveals the face of spam in a way not found
elsewhere in the literature. A great read in its own right. Tell you local
library to get it in.
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Brian McWilliams: Spam Kings ISBN 0-596-00732-9 Published by O'Reilly, 333 pp., hardcover, RRP $44.95 incl. GST |
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Reprinted from the April 2005 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
