Questionable Emails

Would you open these?

Introduction

What type of Email constitutes spam? How can you tell if something is legitimate? In this presentation, you will see a variety of Emails and will learn some tricks which will help you separate the good Emails from the “questionable”.

ACTUAL E-MAILS

With some clues to help spot the spam!

Bill Paying Help

Use caution when opening images unless you know the person or company. By default, your browser may block all images. Some images, when opened, may contain a virus or malware. For your protection, maintain image blocking. You can “show images” if you are certain of the Email authenticity.

Security Alert noteNote how official this looks (flag, copyright at bottom). But also note that it is not addressed to you, or even tells us the account which is infected. DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS!

Notification of payment

This e-mail tells us the account (Verizon), but doesn’t show an account number or name. The amount of the payment is huge, which would make you want to contact them. DON’T CLICK ON THE LINK!

Urgent letterThis type of note is very common. They used to come from a Nigerian businessman, but the scope has widened. Do not respond to them. Note the bad English grammar and spelling. This is a tip off!

Free money!

Another variation of the previous slide. This is a common scam sent to millions of people. Every so often, someone takes the bite. Don’t let it be you!

Pay Pal (sure looks official!)

It looks real, but look again. If it was legitimate, would include more personal information instead of just a case number. Do not respond to this inquiry.

West Union Payment for you!

They want you to respond, so they can get more information about you so you can “collect this money”. Don’t respond!

Lottery winnings

Too good to be true? Yes, it is. Don’t respond.

Really easy money

Never respond to an unsolicited request for personal information!

Need a job?

Tries to make it personal, as if it were friend to friend. No subject line, which is a red flag. Also note the poor English and spelling errors. Another red flag.

Spreading misinformationI like a good political debate, but let’s stick to facts. I copied the paragraph “The per person Medicare Insurance Premium …And $247.00 in 2014” and pasted into : FactCheck.org. Not true. Here are the results: http://www.factcheck.org/2011/04/premium-nonsense-on-medicare/

Another source to check truth is www.snopes.com

And no, it wasn’t from Blue Cross!

If it is from you…beware!

This Email was actually addressed to our account. This is a sure way to tell that it is spam (unless you sent it to yourself). Also note, no subject. Another clue it may be spam.

But they said it was legitimate!Actually, Snopes.com says it is a hoax! http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/invitation.asp

Probably no viruses in this Email, but by forwarding to all your friends, you are basically giving their e-mails away while clogging servers. Don’t forward these. Delete them.

No to the online pharmacy

Look who it is from. A random username. And what is it with the paragraph below? Strange. Don’t fall for the Canadian pharmacy scam!

Just wants a date

I just wonder who would even respond to this!

Additional notes3 ways Email virus can spread:

1. Virus as an Email hoax (which clogs inboxes and circulates email addresses)

2. Virus as an Email attachment (open it and it may run a virus program…don’t open an attachment before scanning for viruses)

3. Virus in the Email body (caution when allowing images to open, and by clicking on links in the body of the Email)

What did we learn?• If it seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t true• Click show details to see who sent it and who it was sent

to• Check facts on factcheck.org or snopes.com• Never provide personal information to a random Email• Do not forward mail that others have forwarded to you. • If you sent it to yourself, probably not legit • No to online pharmacy, Western Union, lottery winnings,

Pay Pal reminders or lost Europeans needing somewhere to park their money

• Jobs are not solicited by sending blind notes• Never respond to dating requests online

Don’t fall for scams or spread misinformation. Be an informed Email user! Thanks for listening!