On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 11:59:43 +0200 Toralf wrote:
[autoreply to bounce]
> How do you people handle messages like this?
Try to avoid sending bounces in the first place, then nobody can autoreply
to them. It looks like you're using Exim 3.x, so I'm guessing you're using
an old-fashioned "router"-type virus/spam checker, where you accept the
message, scan it and then bounce it if you don't like it.
This is unfortunately adding to the whole junk problem (because you will
be sending bounces to lots of innocent people who have had their addresses
forged) and the messages you are seeing are just a side effect of that
(because some people, correct recipients or not, have autoresponders which
will reply to the From: address in your bounce messages).
So, the best course of action by far would be for you to upgrade to Exim
4.x and bounce all spam/viruses at SMTP time wherever possible. It will
drastically cut down on both the amount of junk you are sending to other
people, and the consequential autoresponder junk you receive. Plus you get
all the features of Exim 4 :)
It can appear a bit daunting at first (even in a simple scenario, moving
from Exim 3 to 4 looked quite daunting to me, though it turned out to be
less painful than it seemed) but don't be put off - you will be glad you
upgraded. If you're not sure about the whole scanning thing, try reading
my (hopefully) not-too-heavy guide at
http://www.timj.co.uk/linux/exim.php
(look for the PDF HOWTO).
Tim
