A not particularly large, but notably skanky spam operation appears to be run by a 21-year-old right here in Northeast Ohio, according to an excellent article by Plain Dealer tech writer Chris Seper:
- Every month hundreds of thousands of e-mails chug through the computers at Isolate Networks, offering aphrodisiacs, erotic rendezvous and clean septic tanks.
The Chardon Internet service provider is to cyberspace what slum lords are to real estate, say colleagues and industry experts. Isolate provides the Internet access that lets scores of unwanted e-mails, known as spam, stream into America's inboxes, according to court records, anti-spam groups and Internet security companies.
Now Isolate and its owner, 21-year-old Munson Township resident Dan Ivans Jr., could play another role in the distribution of e-mails selling porn and plumbing. [Cleveland.com]
- Companies such as Isolate are a critical gate way for porno graphic, penis-enlargement and other unwanted electronic solicitations that experts say are ruining e-mail as a means of communication. But they may also be key to shutting spam down.
"I think he probably started out a lot like us - he was strictly Web-hosting and let [a spammer] in, and that opened up the gates," said John Johnson, a Florida Web designer who worked with spammers, ran his own online porn business and later sent his customers to Ivans. "I don't think he necessarily went into spamming and went from there. He had a legitimate . . . company going on and saw the dollar signs."
Ivans has not responded to numerous requests for interviews in the past few weeks.
- For Internet service providers, spamming can be a lucrative but trouble-filled business. A typical user may pay a provider $20 a month for Internet access, some e-mail addresses and a Web site. But spammers will readily fork over $1,000 to $2,000 a month and sometimes much more for the same privileges.
Article comments
1 - Craig Lyndall
I would like to think that I was a better man than to be lured into a nasty place, but I think 1000-2000 per month from some "customers" would force me to do business at the age of 21. That is some serious dough. Also, judging by the dates, he stole beer when he was 20, probably because he was underage. Not exactly your scum-of-the-earth human being, just a typical post-teen who wanted to have a few beers.
2 - Eric Olsen
It had to have been something more than simple shoplifting of beer to get 30 days in jail, and there are more socially acceptable ways of getting hold of beer at age 20 than stealing it.
He already had the business, he was hosting sites, I'd say there was a connection between his judgment and morals as displayed by theft at 20 and spamming at 21. I have about zero sympathy for him.
3 - Craig Lyndall
Some days (not many) I give people the benefit of the doubt for no reason.. you are probably right. As I get older though, the more and more I think I wouldn't want to be held responsible for what I did from the age of 16 to about 21 or 22. It is a selfish request for sure.
4 - Chris Seper
Howdy. According to court and police records, Dan took a case of Budweiser from one convenient store and, while cops were en route to that store, went in to steal a 12-pack of Rolling Rock from another store. He scuffled with the two female clerks who tried to stop him, dropped the beer and then he and his accomplice led the police on a car chase at the end of which they wrecked. Initial charges were robbery, theft and resisting arrest, but they were plead down to lower theft and robbery charges.
Thanks for linking me.
5 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Chris - very nice story and we appreciate the personal fact update service!
Craig, I agree that the younger you are, the more chances you should get, but I am responding to what I see as a pattern, especially now that Chris has given us the facts of the arrest.
6 - Johnson, R.L.
Microsoft went after a little 21 year old? fo what? Perhaps - dominate another branch of the internet, sofrtware, etc... yahah, that's the real American way - MONOPOLIZE - and then get idiots to believe they are just protecting rights....mmmm. Wish I could do what this evidently bright young entrepeneur can do - all LEGALLY as well! Damn, sounds like a little jealousy and nose redirecting is going on not to mention a big dose of ignorance by the author. Keep up your work of sloppy reporting so we all can laugh at you some more!