APCUG Reports
October-December 2008

First you need to know that there are BAD people who wish you harm, they do this by trying to hurt your computer or steal your identify. So you must protect yourself. Let’s think about the following questions;

Do you really believe that someone you never heard from is going to share $ 10,000,000.00 with you if you help them?

Do you believe that out of the millions of people out using the internet that you WON a 50 inch TV for free in a contest you never entered?

Do you believe that every bank is having security issues and needs to send e-mail to the world asking you to FIX the security issue of the Bank?

No it’s the simple facts that we just do not think, that allow bad people or groups to attack us again and again. You may ask why do they do this, and the answer is simply because it works a small percentage of the time.

Think about this.

BILLY BOB wants to go into the “DARK Side of the Internet” I want to steal your identify; this is how simple it could be.

Step 1. Rent a single use e-mail list I can get on with 1,000,000 names for $ 35.00.

Step 2. Billy Bob then generates e-mail with the following topic (YOU WON a 50 INCH LCD TV).

Step 3. Bill Bob ask the people to respond with the following information to get your TV

a. You name (Gee if you won, do they not have that already)

b. Your address to ship the TV to (Gee if you won, do they not have that already)

c. Your phone number to confirm you won (Gee if you won, do they not have that already)

d. You Credit Card Number to cover Shipping (Gee if I won, why are they not willing to pay to ship to me?)

e. Your Social security Number, for tax purposes.

Step 4. IT IS OVER, you given Billy Bob, or any thief all the information to steal your identify.

If you think this does not happen, over and over just understand that if Bill Bob gets 2 % of those mailed out to follow those directions that means 20,000 people’s identies were stolen, for a total investment of $ 35.00.

You need to think BEFORE you open an e-mail. Ask yourself the following questions;

• Do I know who sent me this e-mail?
• Does it have an attachment?
• Was I expecting this e-mail?
• Who sent you a Greeting CARD that has a link that has an executable in it?
• Why am I getting e-mail from a bank, about their security issues? Banks do not send e-mails saying we MESSED up you have to fix the problem by going to XXX. Think first, you can always call your bank and ask is there an issue, BUT do not follow the e-mail instructions.

I suggest you follow this painless rule: "When in doubt, throw it out." Think before you open the e-mail; and don't waste your time replying to ask to be removed from the list. All you are really doing is verifying that the e-mail address is valid, and you'll end up on even more spam lists.

You need to keep your computer up to date with anti-virus software, malware protection, and patched computer systems. But only you can protect yourself by thinking first and acting smartly online.