EarthLink's Pursuit of New York Spammer Leads to Arrest [14th May 2003]

ATLANTA, May 14, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Howard Carmack, aka the "Buffalo Spammer," has been arrested and arraigned in New York on four felony and two misdemeanor counts, stemming from charges that Carmack used fraudulently obtained Internet access accounts to send more than 825 million forged spam emails since March 2002.

Last week EarthLink (ELNK) , one of the nation's leading Internet service providers, won a $16.4 million judgment and injunctive relief against Carmack in U.S. District Court in Atlanta. This followed the ISP's year-long investigation into Carmack's spamming activities.

The following statement can be attributed to Dave Baker, EarthLink's vice president of law and public policy:

"EarthLink has a long history of fighting spam through legal action, technical solutions, legislative support and consumer education. Our judgment against Howard Carmack is the latest example of EarthLink using state and federal laws to take legal action against spammers who illegally abuse the Internet.

"Today, we commend the prosecution of the 'Buffalo Spammer' by the New York Attorney General's Office. Howard Carmack's arrest demonstrates that spamming has both civil and criminal consequences. Simply put, spammers who brazenly disregard the law will wind up in jail."

About EarthLink

EarthLink is the Internet service provider (ISP) solution for an impatient world. Headquartered in Atlanta, EarthLink has earned a national reputation for outstanding customer service and its suite of online products and services. According to J.D. Power and Associates, EarthLink is ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Dial-up ISPs and tied in the ranking for Highest Customer Satisfaction Among High-Speed ISPs. Serving approximately five million subscribers, EarthLink offers what every user should expect from their Internet experience: high-quality connectivity, minimal drop-offs and ISP-generated intrusions, and customizable features. Whether it's dial-up, high-speed, Web hosting, or wireless Internet service, EarthLink provides the tools that best let individuals use and enjoy the Internet on their own terms. Learn more about EarthLink through its Core Values and Beliefs (http://www.earthlink.net/about/ourvalues/cvb/index.html ) or by calling (800) EARTHLINK and visiting EarthLink's Web site at www.earthlink.net .

SOURCE EarthLink

Carla Shaw, +1-404-748-7436, or mobile, +1-404-849-1140, or
shawcm@corp.earthlink.net , or Alexandra Trask, +1-404-748-7267, or mobile,
+1-404-441-2814, or traska@corp.earthlink.net , both of EarthLink