Instead, a spammer found an e-mail forwarding system that was used by the company and managed to send out spam that looked as if it originated from Tech Data. To prevent that scam and to manage the flow of mail, Tech Data about two years ago installed a gateway system, which receives incoming mail like a post office and distributes it, and antispam filtering software. As with Brightmail's system, the software weeds out the spam but stores it on the system in case a legitimate message gets stopped. Some organizations try to cut down on spam by pressuring Internet service providers that permit customers to originate it. Congressional efforts to restrict spam passed the House last year but failed in the Senate.
Some organizations say their legitimate messages are being blocked by crude antispam tools.
Online research company Harris Interactive sued America Online and other Internet providers last summer for classifying Harris survey requests as spam, even though recipients had agreed to participate in the surveys. The suits were dropped when the providers accepted the mail again. And last week, eBay sellers complained that a new system intended to filter spam was instead blocking messages from online auction bidders. Defending online junk mail isn't a popular cause, but those who make their living from it argue that they wouldn't survive in business unless many people wanted what they are selling. And they defend their First Amendment right to free speech.