Warning

JohnMcCabe · 01-09-2009, 10:04 AM

New to me, at least...

The scumbuckets are getting more clever, avoiding the linking schemes that trigger phishing filters. Here's the one I just got...

Quote:

Subject: Your Account Expires in 2 Days!

The Helpdesk Program that periodically checks the size of your e-mail space is sending you this information. The program runs weekly to ensure your inbox does not grow too large, thus preventing you from receiving or sending new e-mail. As this message is being sent, you have 18 megabytes (MB) or more stored in your inbox. To help us reset your space in our database, please enter your current user name
(_________________) and password (_______________).

You will receive a periodic alert if your inbox size is between 18 and 20 MB. If your inbox size is 20 MB, a program on your Webmail will move your oldest e-mails to a folder in your home directory to ensure you can continue receiving incoming e-mail. You will be notified this has taken place.

If your inbox grows to 25 MB, you will be unable to receive new e-mail and it will be returned to sender. All this is programmed to ensure your e-mail continues to function well.

Thank you for your cooperation.
Help Desk

Once they have your username/password, you will join the ranks of the spammer zombies.

Ron Killian · 01-09-2009, 10:12 AM

It's no wonder people get scammed, these messages seem so real. Plus so many folks that are not net savvy, easy to get tricked.

Golelen · 01-09-2009, 10:12 AM

I spent two years reviewing phishing emails for a living. Phishing is actually really easy to spot if you keep a couple of things in mind.

1. Nobody with admin access will need to ask you for your password for any reason. They already have god power. If they don't have admin access, they have no business accessing your account.

2. Reputable places should not be asking you to click on any link. I should not have to explain this. We do IM, we know what link cloaking is and so do the bad guys.

3. A lot of times, phishing email will have spelling and grammar errors. Reputable places have Communication groups that review any communication going out. It often shows when English is not the sender's primary language.

Hope that helps.

Paul Myers · 01-09-2009, 10:23 AM

John,

Quote:

New to me, at least...

That particular one seems to be pretty effective, too, from what I hear from one college admin in Texas.

Quote:

Once they have your username/password, you will join the ranks of the spammer zombies.

You're lucky if that's all they do. Once they have that, they can start checking places like Amazon, PayPal, local banks, etc, and asking for the password to be sent. If the account they phished is the primary one for any of those, you're toast.

Paul

01-09-2009, 10:12 AM	#2
Ron Killian Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Arkansas, USA. Posts: 1,518 Blog Entries: 17 Thanks: 86 Thanked 124 Times in 98 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Warning - New Phishing Scheme It's no wonder people get scammed, these messages seem so real. Plus so many folks that are not net savvy, easy to get tricked.
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01-09-2009, 10:12 AM	#3
Golelen Active Warrior Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Warning - New Phishing Scheme I spent two years reviewing phishing emails for a living. Phishing is actually really easy to spot if you keep a couple of things in mind. 1. Nobody with admin access will need to ask you for your password for any reason. They already have god power. If they don't have admin access, they have no business accessing your account. 2. Reputable places should not be asking you to click on any link. I should not have to explain this. We do IM, we know what link cloaking is and so do the bad guys. 3. A lot of times, phishing email will have spelling and grammar errors. Reputable places have Communication groups that review any communication going out. It often shows when English is not the sender's primary language. Hope that helps.
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