The only reason I've ever had to consider pursuing the path of a well versed programmer (other than database programming) is because of spam. My single hack fantasy is to write a program that 1) identifies spam very ably (ok I know lots of people have done this part), 2) collects the websites advertised in the spam email and the crap that comes in via instant messenger, and 3) cripples those websites.
Maybe I'm just too much of a cheapskate because I haven't gone out and bought a good anti-spam program. Or maybe I should just invest that money in a hot tub or something.
Rant rant rant, blah blah blah...

try spamassassin to filter your spam. it uses various blacklists. and
ofcourse it is free. in itself it covers your 1 and your 2 (blacklists cover
most, if not all websites producing spam). crippling sites would fall
into the category of being illegal; so you should not be surprised that
it has not turned up as a feature in a spam filter program.

Yeah but I like awdoyles idea better. Spammers should be dragged from their homes and beaten with a mail server (preferrably an IBM as they are heavier). Their sites should be shut down by whatever means necessary. end of rant...

Sorry, but I get over two hundred spams a day, mostly for stupid things like breast enlargement. (No offense to fake ones, but I'm a guy and I like mine the way they are thanks..).

1. Don't give your email addy away at every opportunity.
2. Don't post your email addy at every opportunity.
3. Don't use Hotmail.
4. Don't use Yahoo.
5. Don't give your email addy away at every opportunity.
....

Have you seen that commercial where this advertizer called this guy in bed at 6 AM, and the guy in bed got so pissed that he drove to the advertizer's office and smashed his phone? lol that's the best commercial.

Umm...what was this a commercial of?
; )