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Filtering and email pricing as solutions to spam

Author

Listed:
  • B. Curtis Eaton
  • Ian A. MacDonald
  • Laura Meriluoto

Abstract

We analyze the success of filtering as a solution to the spam problem when used alone or concurrently with sender pricing, receiver pricing, or both. We find that filtering alone may exacerbate the spam problem in terms of both the total number of spam message sent and the expected number of spam messages received, because it may cause the spammer to send multiple variants of his message to each customer in an attempt to evade the filter. Sender and receiver prices work as expected. The effectiveness of each instrument improves as the levels of other instruments are increased. Filtrage et tarification des courriels en tant que solutions au problème de pourriels. On ana‐lyse le succès du filtrage en tant que solution au problème des pourriels quand c'est un arrangement utilisé exclusivement ou conjointement avec des arrangements de tarification de l'expéditeur ou du récipiendaire de courriels ou des deux. On montre qu'utilisé exclusivement le filtrage peut exacerber le problème des pourriels à la fois en termes du nombre de pourriels expédiés, et du nombre de pourriels qu'on peut anticiper recevoir, parce que cela peut amener l'expéditeur de pourriels à multiplier les variantes de ses messages à chaque récipiendaire dans le but d'échapper au filtre. La tarification de l'expéditeur et du récipiendaire fonctionne comme prévue. L'efficacité de chaque instrument s'améliore à proportion que le niveau d'utilisation des autres instruments s'accrol̂t.

Suggested Citation

  • B. Curtis Eaton & Ian A. MacDonald & Laura Meriluoto, 2013. "Filtering and email pricing as solutions to spam," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 46(3), pages 881-899, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:canjec:v:46:y:2013:i:3:p:881-899
    DOI: 10.1111/caje.12043
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L96 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Telecommunications
    • L10 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - General

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