Des Moines Univ. Pioneering New Internet Communications Protocol

DES MOINES, Iowa, July 13, 2004 -- Des Moines University
(DMU) is working on a new Internet communications protocol
called the Iowa Internet Annoyance Logging Protocol (IIALP).
The protocol delivers automated and centralized SPAM and
related abuse logging for the Internet. The work on the
protocol is part of a university-wide emphasis on new
technology and connected learning initiatives.

George Davey, DMU Network Administrator, is working on and
implementing the new protocol at the University. The
protocol allows end users and system administrators to log
abusive Internet activity. Abuse complaints are logged using
preset templates for different types of Internet abuse. Each
abuse report is recorded in high detail at the server
logging the initial complaint. The logged complaint is then
automatically condensed and passed to centralized IIALP
servers.

"The protocol is expected to greatly help with SPAM abuse,
finding open email relays, locating virus infected PCs and
Internet zombies, reporting junk faxes, exposing bogus
Internet e-commerce companies and creating lists of abusive
areas of the Internet where more caution is needed," says
Davey. "Throughout the world, all businesses are affected by
SPAM, making it a very common problem."

By using the report, system administrators and the general
public can query IIALP servers to find out which Internet
addresses are associated with abusive activities. According
to Davey, IIALP is like Caller-ID in that it also tells you
if the number calling has a history of Internet abuse.

The protocol is designed to be simple to implement and use.
It also should save administrative time by automatically
handling complaints that network administrators now do
manually.

"This system acts as an all-encompassing standard for
managing contemporary IT business issues today," says D.R.
Arthur, CIO of Freese Notis Weather, who also is part of the
informal working group.

To keep track of the latest documentation of IIALP, the
informal working group has set up a web site at
http://www.abuselog.org. This web site not only provides
documentation but also allows the general public to comment
on various new aspects of this emerging communications
protocol.

Des Moines University is the only private medical school in
Iowa, offering graduate-level, professional degree programs
in osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, physical
therapy, physician assistant studies, health care
administration and public health. Founded in 1898, the
institution offers superior academics in a collaborative
environment. DMU students' pass rate on national
examinations and board certifications is consistently higher
than the national average and the rates at similar
institutions.

For more information contact Megan McGurk, Communications
Associate at Des Moines University, at 515.271.1576 (by
phone), 515.271.1545 (by fax) or megan.mcgurk@dmu.edu