MarkJ
15-03-2008, 2:58 PM
Today, I received yet another email warning me about the most destructive virus which can't be detected by the AV companies.... blah blah
Every time I am sent one of these (usually by the same few people), they always contain a huge number of other peoples email addresses in the lengthy forwarding chain.
I have a number of problems with these things.
Firstly, sending emails around the web with loads of other peoples email addresses in full view by forwarding to dozens of others and not using the BCC option to hide the other peoples addresses is an open invitation to spammers who may grab the mail. Not only that, but some people on these lists I have seen probably don't want their email details passing around to all and sundry!
Secondly, forwarding virus warnings is not advisible without first checking the facts. If you lift a relevant piece of the message - e.g postcard warning - and stick the word "hoax" at the end, then use a search engine. Chances are (i.e in every case I have ever seen) the exact wording of your latest fake email will be listed. If you are not sure, ask someone who may be more "clued up" on these things to help decide. I am happy to pass comment on these things if people ask.
Third - these fake warnings are part of the problem as far as slow internet traffic is concerned.
Fourth - they worry some people because of the terrible "tech" things which may happen to your PC and there is no way to stop the evil virus because the "anti virus companies have no cure..."
Now, this is always a good way to spot a fake - if the AV companies cannot cure it, it must be a problem which arose in the last 12-24 hours. After that time, a fix for malware is added to the AV updates.
I hasten to add that I do understand how worrying these warnings can be for some people and that they are only doing their best to help others, but unless people are sure, they should check before sending them on to everyone in their contact list and worrying some of those people...
Mark
Every time I am sent one of these (usually by the same few people), they always contain a huge number of other peoples email addresses in the lengthy forwarding chain.
I have a number of problems with these things.
Firstly, sending emails around the web with loads of other peoples email addresses in full view by forwarding to dozens of others and not using the BCC option to hide the other peoples addresses is an open invitation to spammers who may grab the mail. Not only that, but some people on these lists I have seen probably don't want their email details passing around to all and sundry!
Secondly, forwarding virus warnings is not advisible without first checking the facts. If you lift a relevant piece of the message - e.g postcard warning - and stick the word "hoax" at the end, then use a search engine. Chances are (i.e in every case I have ever seen) the exact wording of your latest fake email will be listed. If you are not sure, ask someone who may be more "clued up" on these things to help decide. I am happy to pass comment on these things if people ask.
Third - these fake warnings are part of the problem as far as slow internet traffic is concerned.
Fourth - they worry some people because of the terrible "tech" things which may happen to your PC and there is no way to stop the evil virus because the "anti virus companies have no cure..."
Now, this is always a good way to spot a fake - if the AV companies cannot cure it, it must be a problem which arose in the last 12-24 hours. After that time, a fix for malware is added to the AV updates.
I hasten to add that I do understand how worrying these warnings can be for some people and that they are only doing their best to help others, but unless people are sure, they should check before sending them on to everyone in their contact list and worrying some of those people...
Mark