Tech -- McAfee Hoax

Subject: Tech -- McAfee Hoax
From: nutty
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 04:41 PM

This weeks Computer Active Magazine is warning of a new Trojan that is spreading by masquerading as a patch for McAfee's anti-virus software.

It says "Emails have been sent out pretending to be a security update for a virus called Kongos31. The email contains a link to a web page hosted in the US that looks very similar to the McAfee download page. Users are warned that McAfee does not send out this kind of email but alerts users through its own software".

Subject: RE: Tech -- McAfee Hoax
From: My guru always said
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 05:16 PM

Thanks nutty, will be on the lookout now! Cheers!

Subject: RE: Tech -- McAfee Hoax
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 05:25 PM

Thanks, nutty!

Subject: RE: Tech -- McAfee Hoax
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 05:44 PM

A report has also been made recently that Google is "investigating" a fake website made up to look like theirs. A clue, should you encounter it, is that Googles own websites do not sell ad space while the fake one has ads posted.

I haven't seen any description of what purpose the fakers may have, but one would assume they're sending emails, or posting fake links, to induce people to go to their site; and it's doubtful that they have the best interests of the victims in mind.

John

Subject: RE: Tech -- McAfee Hoax
From: nutty
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 07:48 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Tech -- McAfee Hoax
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 08:44 PM

Then there's http://www.booble.com. You can tell from the name the nature of their business. Not exactly like Google, but you get its drift from the name.

Subject: RE: Tech -- McAfee Hoax
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 07 Jan 06 - 10:06 AM

JohninKansas, you said that Google doesn't sell ad space. What do you call the Sponsored Links that show up at the right of the results displays? Sure looks like ad space to me.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Tech -- McAfee Hoax
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 07 Jan 06 - 01:47 PM

Dave O -

I said Google doesn't have ads ON THEIR OWN SITES.

Actually, I just quoted the notice of their investigation, without checking. Since it was just another "don't click if you don't know" warning, I didn't really feel the need for a detailed analysis. It's an official notice of a possible pending or ongoing investigation of something undefined for purposes unknown - but it was interesting(?).

No business is going to send you an email to inform you of anything you "must do" to correct a problem.

They may post a notice on their own site. You do NOT use a link in an usoliceted email to go to their site. You use your own existing link, or you look them up to get a link from a trustworthy source.

They may include a notice with their regular snail-mail correspondence, as with a monthly billing statement.

They may rarely telephone to inform you of an emergency, but you should not give them personal information when they call you. You place your own call to their known service department, NOT USING a number given to you by "someone" who called you.

They may send you a snail-mail letter, in which case you call the service number you have on file, NOT one contained in a letter (that may be a fake) unless you have absolute assurance of the authenticity of the source of the letter.

You do not let "someone who looks like he/she might be from the 'phone company" (or any other business) in your house or on your property when they knock on your front door unless they are in uniform, wearing a known identification badge, and/or have and are willing to show you a photo-ID. In case of question, they can wait in their truck while you call the company they claim to represent and confirm that their representative is supposed to be there.

ANY email you didn't expect is a LIE.

John