Ok, perhaps there is a gap of clarity here ...
A forged posting is when someone sends a post that appears to be from
someone else.
An anonymous posting is when someone sends a post that appears to be
from some userid which will supposedly remain stable. To this end, when
using a server for this purpose, generally, as I understand it, the
server will reject the post for a specific anonymous id if that incoming
mail does not conform to the address that it thinks it should be from.
Ok, so let me clear the air. Most postings are real. A miniscule
number are forged. Any post may be forged. Any post may be anonymous.
Any post may be anonymously forged (and posted) to appear anonymous.
Any forged post may become anonymous through a server, or even without a
server. Any server could pass a forged post on as anonymous. Every
forged post is a real post.
So, how then, will LISTSERV be able to tell the difference?
The only way to stop this would be to eliminate all userids, dial up
lines, network software, and people who may forge posts. I don't see
this as a solution. A PC in a cave with no electricity would be it.
LISTSERV can't validate userids off of its host, period, and even
then it can't validate ids on other systems on its host. Mail and SMTP
have similar limitations and holes. Any solution that goes even half
way towards a workable solution is not worth the time (CPU and wall) in
my opinion.
I think people should have a little faith in other people and deal
with these kinds of net problems when they occur. I don't see this as a
problem of significant proportions, and, perhaps more importantly, I
don't see a real solution that can be adequately enforced or a need for
it in the near future (unless we encourage forged posts en-masse).
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** Geert K. Marien : [log in to unmask] (Bitnet: GKMQC@CUNYVM) **
** ListOwner: AIRLINE, RAILROAD, STAMPS, The INDIA List **
** (All contents are my own opinions - unless otherwise stated) **
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