listname-request currently generates an auto-ack message. This can be done by the kinds of viruses that "spoof" the FROM: field resulting in unwanted mail to the FROM address (if it really exists), of if does not exist, a bounce back to the listowner. I recommend as a reduction technique, updating your list's template >>> REQACK1 Your message to &LISTNAME-request@&MYHOST .qq [the rest of the original template] Obviously this doesn't solve the problem of spam to the -request address. Though I've never tried it (and it may have unintended bad consequences, esp for non-SPAM mail), you could make all list-owners QUIET OWNER= quiet:,[log in to unmask] /Pete