Received an email spam, sent to a nonexistent mailbox at my domain.

Does BOINC track spam or interested in a copy?

Lou

Why do you think it came from BOINC?
Are you sure it wasn't a project (mass) email?

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Sorry I was not clear. I received an email that attempted to look like it came from BOINC. I intended to indicate that by putting the FROM in my subject in "quotes"

The subject is "TZM BOINC Update" I do not know if this is a real BOINC project or not. If it is a valid project, this may be a Joe Job because the email was sent to a vulgar mailbox that does not exist on my domain.

1. the email was sent to a invalid mail box. (spam like)
2. "Looks like" a BOINC project I have no contact with/knowledge of (spam like)
3. Includes links to an array of domains (spam like)

My question is/was 'is BOINC interested?' either from a security point of view or from the standpoint of improving the email etiquette of a participating project.

Lou

Without knowing what the contents of the email were, it's difficult to answer. But do know that BOINC itself does not ever email anyone. The BOINC developers (David Anderson, Rom Walton, Charlie Fenton) might, but you can recognize them.

Now, you can PM me the contents of the email, if you want to. When you do so, please try to send the headers along as well. Normally this can be done by selecting the email, and telling the email program to show the headers, or show original.

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You're still missing my point. I know it is spam. This one is just new to me. Interestingly arriving after I have become active with the program again.

Even if someone at BOINC was doing mass mailings which you say they don't, they would not have sent it to an invalid mailbox, cock[at]MyDomain.com

I take it no one have reported a BOINC spam here. Be glad to PM you the full email. I'm sure I can find the MP button here somewhere.

Lou

The people that sent it, TZM are of The Zeitgeist Movement. They're apparently an activist group, who through that site want to get more people to join their team to run the Malariacontrol.net project through BOINC.

I don't think it is spam, as they're not trying to sell me anything, nor does their site seem to try to add anything exiting to my computer. How you then got the email? You probably posted the email address somewhere, where it was picked up.

Having said that, I will make a note of this site and their email to the developers.

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How you then got the email? You probably posted the email address somewhere, where it was picked up.

Jord, We seem to be talking passed each other for some reason.

I got the email because I have the "catch-all" mail box open so I can receive and report all the spam sent to my domain, including that sent to non-existent mailboxes. I have had this domain sense ~1990 so this is not an old mailbox someone else had.

You can be assured I did not post that email address anywhere. It is bad enough that the domain I picked back then, because of the relation the letters have to a business name (and it spells a word), has a porn implication I did not thank about.

I do think your definition of spam is a little narrow. It allows this group to clutter the internet with emails to random mailboxes that may or may not exist, and sully the BOINC name/reputation in the process. If other (all) BOINC groups followed the same practice, I would guess there would be a user revolt. JMHO

As an aside and not to foster ill feelings, but I do find you responses a bit condescending. I'm sure that is not your intent.

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Lou
Say what you will about Sisyphus. He always has work.

Jord, We seem to be talking passed each other for some reason.

No, we're not. You just seem to have set it into your head that since you didn't give out the email address, that the site that gave you the email must have been sending out random emails to random email addresses. They don't do that, as far as I can see. And seeing the combination of words, anyone could've put that email address on the list.

In the email header it shows that your email address is a member of the email list. If you do not want to receive any further emails from them, you can unsubscribe.

Do know that anyone is allowed to use the name BOINC in their address. As long as people point to where it came from, and have either a logo of BOINC or a link to the correct download site, or both, it's all right. So TZM is just a group that runs BOINC projects. They're trying to get more people to join their group, so they've set up a website, and with that website, an email list that gives out newsletters. One has to subscribe for this list. That's how you got the email.

Lastly, I have taken the liberty to unsubscribe your email address and you will be getting an email about that. You cannot further unsubscribe, as your email address is no longer in their list.

As for...

I do think your definition of spam is a little narrow.

Talking about being condescending, both the above bit of your post, plus your constant trying to tell me how I am missing the point, and that you know all these things. That is condescending.

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Thank you. "cock" did receive an email confirming 'their' name has been removed from the emailing list which they did not joined.

They don't do that, as far as I can see. And seeing the combination of words, anyone could've put that email address on the list.

Anyone that maintains an emailing list where anyone can put an address on the list, is sadly out of step with the current acceptable standards for emailing list.

If you do not want to receive any further emails from them, you can unsubscribe.

In most circles that deal with spam and unwanted email or give advise to those that receive it, no one else ever suggested that anyone respond to or click on the unsubscribe as this only confirms that someone reads that email address and it is therefor a validated address to sell to other spammers.

We obviously do have a different view of unwanted email and how to deal with it. As far as I'm concerned this subject is closed and I will not bother BOINC or you with any additional email that reference BOINC.

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Lou
Say what you will about Sisyphus. He always has work.