Monday, August 20, 2007

Daniel the Dumbass

I hate spam.

I really, really hate spam.

Not SPAM®, mind you. I like SPAM®. It's one of Hormel's fine products.

But spam, I don't like.

Okay, spam is technically unsolicited email. And I'm talking about comments (or TrackBacks) that are unrelated to the post of a blog. Like this little blog. We often, though incorrectly, call that spam.

So, it's spam.

And here's why.

There's this "Daniel" (62.22.110.34) that sends little comments out. They are essentially the same comment, with slight variation. And, by looking at the pattern, it's obvious that it's not a real comment.

For example, recently "Daniel" left this comment on my post, "Thinking Different":
I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100% regarding Thinking Different, but it's just my opinion, which could be wrong :)

Now, there may be times that such a comment would be real. But that post isn't one of those times.

And "Daniel" sends these to lots of posts. Lots and lots of posts. And not just on this little blog, but at other blogs as well.

So, what's up?

Well, one of two things.

Either "Daniel" doesn't know much about anything ... in which case he's the biggest dumbass that every sat at a keyboard ... or he's sending fake comments.

I'm willing to agree that "Daniel" is a dumbass. No argument from me about that.

But I think he's sending fake comments, whether or not he's a dumbass.

So, why is "Daniel" sending fake comments?

He's trying to find a way past spam filters.

Why?

Well, "Daniel" knows that if a popular spam filter will let him through, he will be able to send all kinds of comments ... and TrackBacks ... to posts.

And those comments will be spam.

Yes, "Daniel" is sending pre-spam. He's testing the waters.

But Akismet, the spam filter we use here at this little blog, and that many other blogs use, catches the stuff that "Daniel" is sending.

Because "Daniel" wants to send spam.

"Daniel" is a bad person. He should be beat with a stick. Until the stick breaks. And then a new stick obtained and the procedure repeated.

But I am reassessing my opinion of "Daniel."

I'm not so sure he's a dumbass.

I think he's just an ass.

14 comments:

  1. You get those too? Ah, Word Press

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  2. I've noticed this lately... I knew something was 'off' about the comments but couldn't put my finger on it... great analysis!

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  3. I'm glad you posted this! I've gotten about 4, all posted to the post I did about JP and I was wondering why someone was making an effor to say they didn't agree with me about what I wrote? What's not to agree with!? It kept going in spam and I kept deleting it but wondered if if was a real person! Now, I'll delete post haste!

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  4. Askimet catches him therefore he is spam.

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  5. I was going to say that Akismet seems to catch most of the spam but you're already ahead of the curve.
    By the by, have you [and your readers] recently received lots of e-cards? I'm too terrified to open them just in case.
    Best wishes

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  6. To paraphrase Dr. Seuss: "I will not read that which you spam... I will not read it Dumbass Dan!"
    Thanks for the heads-up.

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  7. I get people like Daniel all the time. But Akismet does great things to spammers. I mean, I'd prefer they take a long walk off a short pier into an ocean of razors, but Akismet's the next best thing.

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  8. I've learned to deal with spam. I think I'd be hypocritical to lash out against it since I did, very briefly and while still in college, work for a telemarketing company.

    I figure spam is karma.

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  9. If someone sends you a card, their name should be listed as the sender, otherwise, it's most likely a virus.

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  10. I have to say I agree with you 100% regarding Daniel... Ackk! Please don't block me!!!! I'm just kidding!!!!!!

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  11. I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100% regarding Daniel, but it's just my opinion, which is never wrong. :P

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  12. Small correction. Spam is not limited to email by any definition. The first known case of "spam" was an insurance ad (it might have been real estate, I don't feel like looking it up) posted as a topic in a technical newsgroup. So you don't have qualify the place just the intent to be an a**h**e.

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  13. If I had my way, he'd be a broken & bleeding dumbass.

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