Conclusion

If ASTA's recommendations and best practices are adapted globally, spamming should become less of a problem. The CAN-SPAM act could be a viable way of reducing or hindering spam if there is strict accountability for spammers in the courts. The CAN-SPAM law also provides “cease and desist” opportunities for offenders, and is fair in its assessment of liability for statutory damages.

Technological innovations are imperative to solving the spam problem. Revealing a spammer's identity with innovations such as Sender ID or an Identity Framework is one step in the right direction, granted all parties involved can agree upon the standards needed to implement such an innovation and the process to finding and legally prosecuting spammers.

A huge component to combating spam which was proposed by ASTA is merely educating internet users and mail recipients as to how to deal with spam and discourage it. One way to impliment this is by educating users on "best practices" for email before an internet service provider hands out an email address.

Though spam will probably remain as abundant as direct mail, respect to the law and industry standards will have an immeasurable effect on the future of spam.

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