How to identify Spammers ?

[kapow]

I hate unsolicited email!
Can anyone tell me how to identify a spammer from the header info (or anything else) in the email. I don't really understand the header stuff but it looks like the info is in there.

I would like to be able to email their ISP and copy in the spammer with a complaint.

Here is some of the header info from my latest spam item:

Received: from host213-1-118-106.dialup.lineone.co.uk ([213.1.118.106] helo=magicmachine)
by rhenium.btinternet.com with smtp (Exim 3.22 #8)
id 16bl6p-0004pS-00; Fri, 15 Feb 2002 16:21:16 +0000
Message-ID: <000601c1b67f$d639f970$6a7601d5@magicmachine>

[sun818]

When viewing the message header, read from the bottom up. After Message-ID, your first Received: line with the IP inside the brackets [ ] indicate where the mail originated from. Ping 213.1.118.106 and resolve the domain. Forward you spam e-mail to [e-mail] with the full message headers and e-mail content.

<http://www.utexas.edu/cc/email/answers/abuse.html> has instructions on how to view the "message header" from various e-mail clients.

[kapow]

> and resolve the domain...
How do I do that?

[sun818]

Oh sorry, in Windows/DOS I believe the command is:

c:> ping -a 213.1.118.106

The -a option will try to translate the IP address into a domain name for you.

[kapow]

Thanks Sun818
But now you're really losing me :(
I am using Windows IE5 / Outlook. Sorry but in what software or website do I type c:> ping -a 213.1.118.106 ?

[seth_wilde]

"what software or website do I type"

You need to go to DOS Command Prompt... should be listed under the programs folder on your start menu in windows...

[crash]

You can also type that into 'RUN' (start -> run -> type info into box)
Unfortunately it has a tendency to close the window once it's done before you can see anything.

Locating the 'DOS' or 'Command Prompt' icon/ link is best. (look under program files and/or Accessories) when you open it you will have a black box (or screen) with a c prompt, at the blinking C: {c prompt} type ' ping -a xxx.x.xx.xxx ' and hit enter.

The line will look like this:
C:\>ping -a 213.1.118.106

(I just pinged this and it's timing out for me)