the threat of blocking email addresses doesn't bother any of the spammers. i block them all the time, new ones appear daily..

As Elaine stated earlier, just have to get on with it..

Andrew Gordon, Southampton, UK

Why the big fuss??

Spam is annoying but that's ALL it is. No-one's dead. It doesn't even cost anyone anything apart from time. The real techno-villains are the ones that promulgate destructive viruses.

65 years for annoying people?? They ought to throw the key away on most of Hollywood.

Pu Li, Guangxi,

I always delete any e-mails that I have not requested and only open e-mails I know are from friends. If you have a business I suppose this is a different matter. In outlook express I click on messages and chose 'Block Sender' which I have found has elimated most of my spam.
You just have to learn to deal with it.

elaine, sussex, U.K

A large part of the problem stems from Microsoft and their singularly inept software which allows computers to be taken over. No problem with Apple.

Christopher Dodwell, St.Leonards-on-Sea, UK

The suggestion not to purchase anything via e-mail is nice--except, I've NEVER purchased anything via e-mail adverts--or any adverts online, either. And still...I get this stuff, day after day.

The spammers get your e-mail from legitimate sites--who you may actually need or want to have your e-mail.

My online purchases have been few and far between--only those items I absolutely cannot get locally, and I only request hard-copy catalogs, delivered through the mail. Still, sometimes even well-known and well-established online stores and other perfectly legitimate websites, will give away your e-mail address, unknown to you. My spam has calmed down somewhat, since I've stopped responding--but it will never stop as long as there's these morrally bankrupt, lazy guys out there, terrified of earning an honest living.

It's like billboards, junk mail, radio and bus adverts..it's not going to go away if you ignore it--you just have to learn to treat it like the white noise it is.

Nancy, Glens Falls, USA NY

I'm not going to lie... I heard about this earlier today. This morning I deleted my daily spam from the day and night before... it usually is running at 100-120 for a full day.

Its been about 16 hours and I only see 16. I think its working!!!!

Steve, Fort Worth, TX

In this day and age of enlightenment what software allows itself to be hijacked? I know, but why don't you tell us? Thanks for brightening my day. I use Linux with Opera on top. It can't be hijacked. Prove me wrong. Amount of Spam I have received in 3 years? Zero!
Thank you Linux & Opera for writing intellegent software.

linuxjon, winnipeg,manitoba, canada

This was really surprising.If you blog or have a webpage check out http://www.widgetmate.com

hugepeter, Dr Germantown, u.s.a

David in Hong Kong - can you run for president here?! I like your thinking

Christine, Connecticut, USA

Funny that when I opened up this specific article that a "spam" page popped up within my browser. It's obvious that the defendant is NOT the only one proliferating this type of nonsense. Why attack a single individual for this type of activity when thousands of companies are guilty of a similar crime without any retribution? This is the typical justice system at work!

Sam, phoenix,az,

Having your email server IP blocked for being a spam zombie is apocolyptic as an email service provider. I'm glad to see a man like this get 65 years for the vandalism and fraud he's committed.

Mathew Millet, Taylorsville, UT

Spam will disappear the day when consumers and ISP's pay for the volume of data that they transmit, instead of a fixed rate. Right now, no one involved has an incentive to solve the zombie problem. Zombies will be around until they cost someone enough money that it makes sense to bundle anti-virus software with every computer and require consumers to actually use it.

Businesses and consumers have to deal with the spam, but they have no mechanism for forcing people that have zombies to get their computers cleaned up.

Patrick Kilhoffer, Bloomington,

He should be sentenced as follows: strap a phone to his head and subject him to 24/7 telemarketing calls for the next 65 years.

David Nicol, Hong Kong,

"He ran his e-mail empire from a luxury flat on the Seattle waterfront and drives a top-of-the-range Mercedes."

So, what's his favorite color? Does he have a dog?

Great, great reporting.

Shnarfola, atlanta, USA

It's "pump and dump" Pump up the value of the stock, then get rid of (dump) it.

BA, Houston, TX

I'm utterly amazed that anyone reads spam let alone buys the spammed products! PT Barnum must have been right all along.

Donna Hensen, Denver, Colorado, USA

Why is it not possible to know if your computer is being used as a zombie?
Why isn't there software to detect and remove this possibility from ones computer?
If there was a way to prevent computers being used as zombies then the amount of spam would be significantly reduced.

Ace, Vienna, Austria

Its always good to nab a bad guy. I am interested to see what actually comes of it in terms of a plea/verdict and sentence.

The easiest way to send spam with impunity is to use computers or operate from countries that don't cooperate with the United States and who's laws/enforcement have not caught up to the threat.

Mr. Cluley hit the nail on the head! People are the problem, namely the people buying products from the sc/pammers.

Evan Francen, Minnespolis, MN

Take all his money and use it to fight the spammers.

Spam Fighter, Los Angeles, CA

Since retritubution is imposible sentence him to fighting spam.

i think the above is a very intelligent suggestion. i would also suggest that he suffer some sort of fine as well.

it would also save us money on our jail space.

fred, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico

That should say, "pump and dump" ... "punt and dump" sounds more like some sort of football cliche.

Bill, Bham, AL USA

forget sentencing him to fighting spam.. sentence him to eat it for the next 65 years

Edison, Palm Springs, fl

The final statement in this article is the most important. The ONLY way to 'fight spam' is to educate people to NEVER buy anything from an e-mail solicitation. This includes so-called legitimate e-mail solicitation.

I don't care if you want a catalog delivered to your inbox. It's not difficult to hop on the web and seek out the merchandise or seller that you desire.

I work in IT for a large transportation company. I can assure you that it is nearly impossible to get users to stop feeding their e-mail addresses to spammers - freely tossing it any web offer that comes along, happily replying to and passing on chain e-mails, etc, etc.

The only remaining option is to teach people to stop purchasing ANYTHING that is solicited to them via e-mail.

As long as their is a profit motive, spammers will find a way.

(Another option would be the ability to successfully track down spammers and shoot them point blank in the head with a shotgun...... but..... alas.....)

Franklin Covine, Princeton, Oregon, USA

I totally agree with John Weiglenda! While they are at it, he could send everyone a nice appology email too!

Steven Parks, Nashville, TN

Since retritubution is imposible sentence him to fighting spam.

John Wieglenda, Gladstone, ND