YOU ARE KIDDING! Even if I
didn't respond? Just opening it? CRAP! I didn't put any information
in the link.
From: Diane
Trefethen [mailto:tref@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Friday, November 10, 2006 7:01 AM To: Curtis, Laura (LauraCurtis); Ridecamp Subject: Re: [RC]
It's purpose was to steal your personal information.
ANYTIME YOU RECEIVE ANY EMAIL THAT IS THE TINIEST BIT "OFF", do
NOT click on it (activates embedded WebBug) and do NOT click on any
links in the email.
Not kidding. WebBugs are tiny bits of info embedded in emails, usually
in the graphics portion. WebBugs cannot send back "Home" any info on
you or your computer but they do send back a signal that the email
address the email was sent to is valid (you opened the email, right?).
That email address then joins the ranks of verified email addresses and
is sold to other spammers and phishers.
With some email clients (the software on your computer that processes
emails), just looking at the email in the "Preview Pane" can activate
the WebBug.
The insidious thing about email/Internet fraud is that most users don't
KNOW about the techniques thieves use or the vulnerabilities in their
browsers, email clients and operating systems. We are like the victims
of Pickpocking. We notice the "bump", ie, our systems sometimes run a
bit slower, but we NEVER notice the "score", ie, when our personal info
is being stolen. Because we are so ignorant of what is happening, we
are easy victims.
Rule #1 - BE SUSPICIOUS ! Even when an email purports to be from
someone you trust, it could be from a crook just "spoofing" your
friend's email address on the "From:" line.
Rule #2 - NEVER, EVER, EVER click on a link in ANY email you weren't
expecting, no matter WHO it is from. Not a friend, not your bank, NO
ONE! If it is from an institution, go to their website. If it is from
a friend, write them a separate email and ask them if they sent the
email in question.
You MUST protect yourself because God and everyone else knows that
those we elect haven't got the balls.
