From: Richard Forno (rforno@infowarrior.org)
To: kh@privacyfoundation.org
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 11:24:08 -0400
Subject: VeriSign Using 1x1 Web Bugs in HTML Mail


Looks like even vaunted "internet trust companies" (Network Solutions, now
part of VeriSign) are not above stooping to guerilla marketing tactics to
track usable e-mail addresses. Note the last part of this message source,
they seem to be using 1x1 web bugs.

 is a 1x1 bug URL.

Not a good way to make friends, particularly if you want to be considered a
"trusted" entity. Heck, they're no different from any other tech company.

Makes me thankful once again that I'm no longer with them.

rf
infowarrior.org


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: Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 10:32:19 -0400
: Message-Id: <200107181432.f6IEWJRo003059@bm0-3.e-dialog.com>
: Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="-_-_-_-_-_1234567890"
: Content-Transfer-Encoding: binary
: Mime-Version: 1.0
: From: "Network Solutions" 
: To: hostmaster@infowarrior.org
: Subject: Network Solutions Improves Web Site; Integrates VeriSign Name
: X-Mailer: EDMAIL R6.00.02
: X-Types: 101
: X-UIDL: X@#"!To_"!o>d"!"%3"!
: 
: This is a multi-part message in MIME format...
: 
: ---_-_-_-_-_1234567890
: Content-Type: text/plain
: Content-Disposition: inline
: Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
: 
: Dear Richard,
: 
: As you probably know, last year Network Solutions became part=20
: of the VeriSign=AE family, the #1 infrastructure services company=20
: for the Internet. Since then, we=92ve taken significant steps to=20
: improve our customer experience. Now, we are about to take a bold,
: next step -- launching a new Web site.=20
: 
: The new site will carry the VeriSign=AE name and includes major=20
: improvements to offer you more choices, better selection and=20
: improved navigation in a fast, easy-to-understand format.
: 
: Over the next few weeks, if you click on an advertisement for=20
: Network Solutions or VeriSign, it=92s possible you could be sent=20
: to the new site. Consider this a sneak preview of our efforts=20
: to offer you one complete online solution for your presence on=20
: the Web.
: 
: Some highlights of the new site include:
: =20
: * A straightforward, user-friendly design
: 
: * Enhanced shopping features such as shopping carts
: to customize your order and useful wizard tools
: 
: * The ability to order VeriSign=92s online security
: and e-commerce products and services=20
: 
: * Improved account management to make handling your
: account simple and flexible
: 
: * More Web-based support including online chat and
: enhanced FAQs
: 
: Both the current site and the new site are fully functional=20
: and all of your customer information is protected.
:
: In the coming months, expect to see more exciting changes as=20
: our site evolves. These improvements will make getting on the=20
: Web easier than ever before. Stay tuned!
: 
: Sincerely,
: 
: John Chomeau
: Vice President, Customer Experience
: VeriSign, Inc.
: 
: 
:
: ------------------------------------------------------
: Please do not reply to this message. Any replies to this
: message will not receive a response. For any Network=20
: Solutions customer service inquiries, please click here:
: http://info1.networksolutions.com/ud/SBFB/HDE6/PR3Z/HK/EKYVXD
: 
: Copyright=A9 2001 Network Solutions, Inc.,=20
: A VeriSign Company. All rights reserved.

[HTML copy of message deleted except:]

: <img src="http://hd.ed10.net/hd/CI7I/WLBK/EKYVXD">