It's not a hard and fast thing -- sure, someone determined to vandalize could still do it, but how many vandals are that determined. Putting a small additional hurdle will help.
On 10/19/05, Ben E. bratsche1@gmail.com wrote:
I think that a system that uses email addresses as validation is too easy to game. Look at the popularity of sites such as Spaminator and Bugmenot. I also think that a system that forces one to provide an email address will drive away many potential good users. If someone is so determined to vandalize Wikipedia, they'll find a way around any system. A potential good user isn't as persistent. I know that I probably wouldn't have started editing under an account if I was forced to provide an email address. Most likely, that would have been the end of my Wikipedia use.