Don’t let your guard down… Many of my acquaintances are subscribers to the popular social magnet site of Facebook. Also, many of my acquaintances are honest people who want to believe that the internet is a safe place and often forget the “rules of the road”.
If you are a Facebook user and you receive an email that the password on your Facebook account has been reset and your new password is attached, do not fall for the old trick of opening the attachment. This email is a form of spam email with a zip file attachment that contains an executable; that, when launched (clicked on), will infect your PC with malware (trojan) . [Source: Avira Techblog]
Remember the “rules of the road”:
Do not open email, let alone attachments, that you even have the slightest doubt. Trust me, if the doubt is there, it is most likely fake and contains malware.
Avoid unsolicited email messages; especially those with attachments or those with unsolicited links.
Always have up-to-date anti-virus, malware, and spyware software installed on your PC.
post to jaanix
November 1, 2009 at 9:14 pm |
…This is why gmail, hotmail, and yahoo mail are so important. They scan the files and say whoa this email is bad.
That and common sense.
November 1, 2009 at 9:28 pm |
Brad,
You are absolutely correct… It is definitely a good layer of protection to use those services. We just need to educate people to detect these types of scams before the virus scanners do… Checked out your blog… Great job! Will be including it on the “Launch Pad” at the side of the blog…
Rick
November 1, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Ah yes that’s why I made this post http://canadiantechblogger.com/2009/09/12/guard-your-self-against-spam-emails/.
Thank you! I will add your blog to my blog roll.
November 2, 2009 at 12:36 am |
Thanks for the warning. It is amazing to me how many of these types of e-mails come across my virtual desk each week. I don’t understand why these people go to so much trouble to spread viruses and malicious software.
November 2, 2009 at 12:55 am |
Simply because if even 1 person downloads it, it spreads to their friend, etc. People back then (1990) did it for laughs but now they do it because they want your credit cards and cash, or identity.
November 2, 2009 at 1:41 pm |
“..honest people who want to believe that the internet is a safe place..”
The ploy you warn people about here is one of the oldest in the book. We have been educating people about e-mail viruses for 20+ years.
And yet it still works.
But.. we have to keep trying. Folks, tell your Facebook friends about this latest scam and tell them there will be more to come.
November 13, 2009 at 12:34 am |
I don’t usually comment on blogs but had to on yours. You have a very unique writing style. A lot of people don’t have that touch, they just drone on and on in the most boring way. But not you – thanks! I don’t have time to read all the information here right now, I found this site when looking for something else on Yahoo, but I’ve bookmarked your homepage and will check back soon to see the latest news. The internet can be such a great resource. Please check out my site at http://www.SwatSpam.com and let me know what you think of it. Thanks again!
November 13, 2009 at 1:59 pm |
Billy,
I thank you very much for your kind comments… Helps keep my blogger batteries charged.
Rick
November 13, 2009 at 2:02 pm |
Billy,
Checked out your site… Very informative and helpful. Will be including the site on “Launch Pad” (at the right side of my blog).
Keep up the great work!
Rick
November 1, 2009 at 11:00 pm |
Brad,
Will add your site to my blogroll, as well as, the Launch Pad…
Keep up the great work!
Rick