StealSmart

Internet service providers are looking at even more drastic steps. In February, America Online and Yahoo, two of the country’s largest e-mail providers, announced their intention to create tiered services — and charge as much as a penny per e-mail to “whitelist” and guarantee delivery of messages from bulk providers. Company spokespeople described the move entirely in terms of spam deterrence rather than as a revenue generator, and the jury is still out on how — and even if — this will work.

It’s too soon to tell if other companies will follow suit, or what other spam-control tactics might be on the horizon.