The Spaminator…
I am tired of SPAM and want an absolute way to control it. Rules work on specifics. Microsoft is lame because it requires you to select the Junk Mail option in order to manually assign items as Junk Mail. It then applies its own internal Junk Mail guestimator, over which the user has no control except to turn off the Junk Mail option.
I have recommended the Spaminator to Microsoft and they have turned a blind eye. With the advent of Haiku, there is potential to set a new standard in email services.
I am currently an MS Windows / Outlook user so the suggestion follows on that.
As I am always ready to back my needs, I am ready to financially assist the Haiku Development Team if anyone can deliver this as part of v1.0. I am looking to the community of developers rather than the core team for this.
If I am describing something impossible, let me know.
Here is my take on resolving email SPAM. The email specification incorporates x-records in the header which may be used to implement this concept. I reference PGP because I use an Outlook PGP plug-in to secure certain emails I send and receive.
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This is an email header recognition module that is a plug-in for email clients or is a stand-alone email client. It relies on a trigger in the email header, called the recognition key, or passkey, which gives the recipient greater control over the disposition of incoming email.
The email recipient provides a recognition key to those who the recipient recognizes as sources from which email is accepted. This provides the recipient a means to identify and control incoming email.
Recognition keys are user generated PGP (Pretty Good Protection) keys and are stored in a PGP encrypted key list on the user’s machine. Since the recipient and not the sender generate the PGP key, this gives the recipient absolute control over what is and is not valid.
The key list is encrypted to prevent viruses from making use of the contents. This does not mean a virus or other program cannot crack the encryption. Any encryption method can be cracked given enough time and resources.
Recognition keys allow for additional features and benefits above those already supported by the email client.
Whenever the user provides their email address to a service, that service should now allow for the optional entry of a recognition key. Using unique keys with each service allows the user to track their use.
A single recognition key can be given to a group of correspondents like family or business acquaintances.
If a recognition key is ever compromised, the key can be flagged as no longer valid in the key list. This effectively makes any future email, using this key, SPAM. The key can also be deleted from the list but keeping it prevents the user from reusing a compromised recognition key.
The address book is now PGP encrypted for the same reason as the key list, to prevent viruses from easily accessing the entries in the book. The recognition keys provided by each email recipient will be stored in the address book along with each recipient’s other information.
The only remaining unprotected source for email addresses or recognition keys will be the email headers.
New Client Features
· Recognition Active
When activated the email client will apply the Recognition features.
· Notify when no key is known for created mail
A message box displays whenever a recipient of outgoing mail does not have a recognition key.
· Automatically place unrecognized email in SPAM folder
Any incoming email whose header is without a valid recognition key will be automatically placed in the SPAM folder. If a SPAM folder does not already exist, one will be created.
· Automatically empty SPAM folder at session end
All email present in the SPAM folder will be permanently deleted from the system.
· Automatically generate request for new address book entries
Whenever a new addressee is added to the address book without a corresponding recognition key, an email is sent to the addressee requesting a recognition key. (this may get spammed but, it provides an auto request)
New Wizard Features
Redirection of email based on the content of the recognition key.
Passkey Generator
· Plug-in for browser to create a passkey on demand for entry into Personal Info web pages and commercial page and automatically update the address book.
· Plug-in for email client to create a passkey on demand to include in body of email going to approved parties and automatically updates the address book.
· Stand-alone to create a passkey on demand that may later be entered into one of the above or passed along by telephone, fax or person-to-person. Manual update of address book is required.
Websites
· Add a passkey field for optional entry on personal info pages.
· Commercial sites need to prompt for optional passkey necessary for email from commercial site to be accepted by email client.