What's in your inbox? Find out how to protect your privacy and avoid costly risks like phishing schemes and viruses.
So what are the threats, and how can you avoid them? We've got your answers:
Viruses and malicious software
Viruses, worms, "Trojan horses" and other malware can cause damage to your system which is time-consuming and costly to fix. Not only can you lose your data, someone could hack into your computer for their own purposes -- such as using your address book to distribute the virus to your contacts. There are three main ways to "catch" a virus from email:
Opening an email: Viruses or malware can be embedded in the HTML or RTF (rich-text format) code of the message and set to activate when you read the message. Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express used to be particularly vulnerable to attack given their tight integration with other software -- even viewing the message in the "reading pane" could trigger the attack. However, most email programs now protect against this threat by disabling script or blocking certain types of code in the message.
Opening an attachment: Attaching files to an email is a quick and easy way to share information -- and one of the most common ways to transmit viruses. Opening the email alone won't do it, but your computer will become infected when you open an attachment which is a virus or contains a virus.
Clicking on links can take you to an infected website or automatically download a virus or malware to your computer.
How can you protect yourself? Automatic processes and common sense are your best protection:
- Adjust your security settings. If you don't use one already, activate the spam filter in your email program. Turn off any options that allow attachments to download automatically or scripts or "ActiveX controls" to run. Experts still advise that "plain text" emails are the safest to view, but you can also limit the HTML code by adjusting your email settings.
- Ignore and delete emails from senders you don't know, especially if they contain attachments.
- Beware of the unexpected. Viruses can take control of email address books and send out messages to family, friends and colleagues. In other words, just because you know the sender doesn't mean the message is safe. If you weren't expecting an attachment, double check with the person who sent it before you open it.
- Scan it. Set your anti-virus software to scan emails and attachments. As an extra level of protection, save attachments and manually activate a virus scan before you open them.
Remember, "when in doubt, don't" -- don't open the email or its attachments, download or run any software or click on links.
Okay, the "partly true" ones were a bit of trick. You've heard the saying that the most convincing lies are the ones that have a kernel of truth? The same principle applies -- there are a lot of "grey" areas. Sometimes a real photo ends up with a fictional description, or verifiable facts are used to lend credibility to falsehoods. Seemingly incredible stories are true, and many photos that look doctored aren't.
The truth is you just can't tell... or can you?
Before you hit "forward"
Consider the content. Does it really matter if a heart-warming story or humourous anecdote is true? Perhaps not, but a false health alert, caution about a product or service or police alert can needlessly scare people and cause panic. Remember: Scammers are relying on your instinct to help others.
Virus warnings are also problematic... they often contain the virus itself.
Check the facts. Your history teacher was right -- there is something to be said for looking at primary sources because criminals and pranksters hide behind seeming legitimate sources. Is the health alert really from the FDA? Was a product actually recalled due to a hazard? Did your local police issue an alert about a new crime or scam? You can tell by looking at official websites or directly contacting the organizations in question.
Sneaky scammers often include a line stating "I checked this on Snopes" or "I called the police/health organization/local authorities and this is real!" Don't believe it until you see the proof yourself.
Get the scoop. Don't have time to research yourself? Consult websites like Snopes, Urban Legends Online and Scambusters that focus on debunking popular stories and scams. They're also an entertaining read.
Search the news. The media has been known to fall for hoaxes as well, but chances are a widespread crime epidemic, product recall, believe-it-or-not story or health alert will hit the headlines.
Question the timing. Is the advice or warning current? For example, many requests for prayers are actually legitimate -- but it could be that the crisis is over by the time the information gets to you.
Make your messages count. Send out too many warnings and you'll get a reputation for spamming your friends and family. Avoid "crying wolf" with false information if you expect to be taken seriously later on.
Should you just hit "delete" or ignore questionable material? You might miss out on a good laugh or some good advice. True or not, emails and other communications can be a prompt to investigate a topic further. Just take everything with the proverbial "grain of salt" until you can verify the content.
For more information on what's lurking in your inbox, take a look at Email: What's safe, and what isn't
1. False. While some providers will deactivate accounts that haven't been used for a given period of time, this isn't how they would handle customers. It's actually a modern-day chain letter.
2. False. Snopes reports that while the tactic is plausible, they haven't seen any reports or news to confirm it's been used, let alone turned into a crime epidemic. The warning is more than four years old.
3. Partly true. The conference and the presentation mentioning the "Smile Test" are real, but the American Heart Association has not yet taken a position on this topic and does not endorse the test.
4. Partly true. The story may not be a real case study, but a lot of the information about heart attack symptoms is true -- and worth looking into.
5. Partly true. According to Snopes, the "#-9-0" scam is technically possible for some phone systems still in use by business, government, universities and hospitals. However, it doesn't apply to residential phones or cell phones because you don't need to dial "9" to get an outside line.
6. False. The FDA confirms that aspartame is safe. This is another example of the internet and email being used to cause a false health scare.
7. False. It would take a lot of sophisticated equipment and a lot of time to steal a car this way. Most break-ins are crime of opportunity -- and the "smash and grab" is more effective.
8. True. According to Snopes, the still-growing fruit was inserted into square containers to give it the square shape. The BBC originally reported the story back in 2001.
9. False. Neiman-Marcus actually developed their cookie in response to this widespread story -- and they give away the real recipe on their website.
10. True. Sendler may not be as famous as Oskar Schindler, but the internet is helping to spread her story. See the New York Times and
Myth or truth, hoax or helpful advice? Tips for sorting fact and fiction on the internet.
We can't resist a good story... or say "I knew it!" when it's proven wrong. With today's technology, it can be hard to tell the different between fact and fiction. The internet, social networking sites and email make it quicker and easier to "spread the word" about the latest heart-warming story, amazing photo, health alert or criminal tactic. Not everything we read is true, but the propagation of hoaxes can overshadow real stories and events.
For example, can you tell at a glance if these widely circulated stories and alerts are true?
1. Your email provider or social network has an over-crowded system and is trying to cull unused accounts. You need to forward or post a message to prove that your account is still active.
2. The latest car-jacking tactic is to put a flyer on your rear windshield -- forcing you to get out of your car to remove it. With your keys still in the ignition and your purse on the seat, thieves can assault you or steal your car.
3. According to a presenter at a medical conference, you can tell if someone has had a stroke by using the "Smile Test" (asking them to raise both arms, smile, and speak a simple sentence).
4. A woman shares her heart attack experience and warns others that the symptoms can be subtle and easy to miss -- especially in women.
5. Someone posing as a phone company technician calls and asks you to dial "90#" or "09#" as part of a system check. Dialling these numbers lets the scammer make long distance phone calls that will be charged back to you.
6. Aspartame has been proven to cause cancer, brain tumours, systemic lupus and multiple sclerosis.
7. Thieves can record the signals sent used by your car's remote keyless entry device and use them to break into your car.
8. Japanese farmers have developed a square-shaped watermelon that will take up less room on shelves.
9. Neiman-Marcus charged a woman $250 for a cookie recipe from their restaurant. When they refused to reverse the charge, she typed up the recipe and circulated it over the internet.
10. Irena Sendler saved 2500 Jewish children during the Holocaust by posing as a nurse to smuggle them out of the Warsaw Ghetto.
Think you know the "truth"? Keep reading.
Malicious intent or all-in-good-fun?
The "anyone-can-publish" and "copy-and-paste" nature of the internet makes it easy to propagate rumours, false information, scams and hoaxes. There's certainly good reason to be cautious about what we read, but fiction isn't always intended to be harmful.
As with any medium, the internet is a way for artists and writers to entertain others or make a social commentary. A hoax can be an attempt at fraud, a prank or a publicity stunt -- but other times it can be a statement about how we use media to spread false information. Sometimes the information is simply meant to be entertainment, but not everyone gets the joke.
I very much respect your choice, my problem was how PETA tried to use a tragic event and twist it so they could use it for their own purposes and not stop and think about the young man, the murderer, or both their families.
PETA wanted to place those ads in the papers. Papers refused. I blame PETA for taking a tragic incident and trying to use and compare it to what happens to animals.
The media did not approach PETA ... I don't understand the comment "don't blame PETA, blame the media." I blame PETA for acting and thinking that they could compare the young man's death to slaughter of animals, and then saying it would not happen, because animals do not have that kind of rage... I beg to differ. Animals lash out if stressed, attacked, etc. Animals also have emotional problems, chemical imbalances, and mental problems.
I just felt that PETA were insensitive to what happened to the young man.
Just because they are far away, does not mean they do not like what they see or read. Some send flowers as a compliment to you and to let you know they took notice.
My previous response might not be what you wanted, but it was the one that came to mind.
I have no idea why they say they are the perfect lover etc. JMO...so many will go on line, and describe themselves in a manner they want to be instead of what they are.
What the H is a soul mate??? Isn't that some modern word made up ... and now we cling to that word looking for something unrealistic?
I'm not being negative. I do believe people can find the right person for them, and in some cases at different stages of life, they find the right person for that period.
Trust your instincts. If it does not feel right, don't do it.
There are divorced parents that live in the same house for the sake of their child(ren). Know a couple that did that after their oldest son was almost killed on a hit and run. Their son suffered brain damage and with both of them in the same house, it helps.
The man sleeps and has his area in the basement. She has the third floor with the son. The main floor is the eating, socializing, and TV area.
If it does not feel comfortable or alright with you, Hug me, trust your instincts and feelings.
nothing to do.... start by going for a walk. Put on some music, dance around, do the air guitar thing.... no one watching so knock your self out ... :-)
read... and you'd be suprised how this forum gets a person through a Saturday night at home. (inbetween cleaning and washing the floor)
KHD100 Forum Posts (2,495)
Sorting fact from fiction online
Email: What's safe, and what isn'tWhat's in your inbox? Find out how to protect your privacy and avoid costly risks like phishing schemes and viruses.
So what are the threats, and how can you avoid them? We've got your answers:
Viruses and malicious software
Viruses, worms, "Trojan horses" and other malware can cause damage to your system which is time-consuming and costly to fix. Not only can you lose your data, someone could hack into your computer for their own purposes -- such as using your address book to distribute the virus to your contacts. There are three main ways to "catch" a virus from email:
Opening an email: Viruses or malware can be embedded in the HTML or RTF (rich-text format) code of the message and set to activate when you read the message. Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express used to be particularly vulnerable to attack given their tight integration with other software -- even viewing the message in the "reading pane" could trigger the attack. However, most email programs now protect against this threat by disabling script or blocking certain types of code in the message.
Opening an attachment: Attaching files to an email is a quick and easy way to share information -- and one of the most common ways to transmit viruses. Opening the email alone won't do it, but your computer will become infected when you open an attachment which is a virus or contains a virus.
Clicking on links can take you to an infected website or automatically download a virus or malware to your computer.
How can you protect yourself? Automatic processes and common sense are your best protection:
- Adjust your security settings. If you don't use one already, activate the spam filter in your email program. Turn off any options that allow attachments to download automatically or scripts or "ActiveX controls" to run. Experts still advise that "plain text" emails are the safest to view, but you can also limit the HTML code by adjusting your email settings.
- Ignore and delete emails from senders you don't know, especially if they contain attachments.
- Beware of the unexpected. Viruses can take control of email address books and send out messages to family, friends and colleagues. In other words, just because you know the sender doesn't mean the message is safe. If you weren't expecting an attachment, double check with the person who sent it before you open it.
- Scan it. Set your anti-virus software to scan emails and attachments. As an extra level of protection, save attachments and manually activate a virus scan before you open them.
Remember, "when in doubt, don't" -- don't open the email or its attachments, download or run any software or click on links.