VOLCANO MADNESS: Re: [Geology2] Admin Read: Important Security Update (Phishing For Passwords)

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Re: [Geology2] Admin Read: Important Security Update (Phishing For Passwords)

Last week, a cousin of mine, who uses Gmail, saw a message in his Spam folder from his daughter. Thinking Gmail made a mistake, he clicked on it and the subsequent link that he thought she sent. At that point, he made a cry to me to help, as everyone in his email address book was sent various spam sites, also filled with backdoor trojans. I helped him clean up his computer, but he learned a huge lesson. If a message from a friend/relative goes to spam, then don't assume that your email provider screwed up.

If you use Firefox browser, getting the add-on called "WOT" will help immensely. It sits in your browser and warns you of malicious sites. WOT's ring will change color if you go to a dubious site. Also, Malwarebytes is a must to have. It's free and it will prevent you from going anywhere where a virus could invade your computer. Literally, it will stop the page from loading. It's saved me too many times to count.

And that's all I have to add to Kim's fine advice.

Lin

On Wed, Jun 1, 2011 at 10:34 AM, Kim Noyes <kimnoyes@gmail.com> wrote:

I received this message this morning... it is a password phishing attempt and were I simple enough to fall for it and give them the information they want I would soon find my email account hacked and spitting out spam. It is this sort of scam that is the primary cause of the recent explosion in spammings of email lists by otherwise reputable members. Note the poor grammar and the source email account although a Gmail account is not an official Gmail address. You all have been warned.

Der Kimster

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Gmail <verifyscencses001@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Jun 1, 2011 at 1:17 AM
Subject: Important Security Update
To: info-support@google.com

We make every effort to ensure that we provide the Ultimate Security required for maximum protection of all our Email Account from unwanted Users and spy wares. We do not want you to loose access to your Account since your login information are no longer valid on our database system. Now, the Gmail Account Team need to confirm your profile details below for verification purpose and to confirm that you own this Account:

    *Full Name:
    *Account ID:
    *Pasword:
    *Profession:
    *Age:
    *Alternative Email:

Note: This email is only for Gmail users (Users should reply within 48 hours to avoid "Permanently Lockup" Account)

Thank you for using Gmail !

The Gmail Team