Other technological approaches limit e-mail to preapproved senders or senders who respond with a password -- approaches that slow down the transmission of e-mail. Users can also buy personal In box protectors.
Brightmail, which has one of the most sophisticated services, says the best spammers are always a step ahead of its defense mechanism. They evade Brightmail filters by randomizing the characteristics that filters look for.
"It's very difficult to fight," said Long, the war-room worker. "You get entrenched fighting it one way, and they go put a new tool against you."
For spam to disappear, a combination of coordinated international regulatory action, aggressive enforcement, software and human oversight is needed, Salem said.
The bad news is that until that magic combination comes about, spam will continue to clog In boxes. The good news is that it could help you look younger, feel more virile, become debt-free and get a college degree at home. Really.
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