Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Realistic Spam.

Feb 13, 2004 7:56AM PST

Some months ago Sympatico started spam filtering procedure. Up until recently it had reduced the spam to maybe 1 or 2 a day. I don't know if they stopped filtering or if the spam is just so enormous that it still keeps coming through. This past few weeks, I have been receiving 12-18 spams per day. My own filters aren't keeping them out this time.

I delete anything that I am not expecting, without even opening it to see what it is. Some of it is very realistic, and perhaps, may be the real thing. Tonight, for instance, there was an e-mail with the subject listed as ISP security alert #xxxx. There have also been e-mails with Microsoft listed as the sender and also called something like security alert.

I guess there is no way to check if any of these may be legit, other than opening the message. Hmmm?

Pat

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re:Realistic Spam.
Feb 13, 2004 8:23AM PST

Pat,

have you thought about downloading MailWasher? This way you can see your e-mail as it is still on your server.

http://www.mailwasher.net/download.php

Or another thought - you have WEBMAIL from Sympatico??

- Collapse -
Just out of my curiousity
Feb 13, 2004 3:21PM PST

Do you mean if I use a web based email or mailwasher.. and viewing the message body or opening the message on web based email.. it doesn't download or execute the virus?

On mailwasher.. its a little clearer that you only see a "preview" of the message, in text only format.

But on web based email, I thought that if you open the email, its the same thing as using regular email i.e. outlook express -- You are opening the whole email -- ??

If both are safe to preview a message (and download if necessary).. then why not to many advice about using web based email to check our POP mail.
I know Yahoo can do that, also mail2web.com

Have a nice weekend guys...

- Collapse -
Re:Just out of my curiousity
Feb 14, 2004 12:03AM PST

How safe is Webmail?

Webmail is safe, provided your follow these tips to ensure that other users of the same computer cannot read your mail:

Various browsers and systems have the ability to store passwords for secured sites. Do not store your user name and password when using Webmail. Anyone knowing your user name, will have automatic access to your email.

Use the LOGOUT button to exit Webmail and close the web browser when you are finished.

As long as you are reading the emails still ON your server you are safe. As soon as you download them to your inbox it is a different story !

- Collapse -
Re:Realistic Spam.
Feb 13, 2004 4:40PM PST

'1.Tonight, for instance, there was an e-mail with the subject listed as ISP security alert #xxxx.
2.There have also been e-mails with Microsoft listed as the sender and also called something like security alert'.

1.your ISP will not send you a security alert by email.

2. the so called microsoft emails are probably the Sven virus or some other.

Microsoft does not send you an email with a virus alert.
best case is you get a link to their site if you subscribe to their publications.
otherewise Windows update is the only place you can scan your PC for updates.

david williams

- Collapse -
Re:Realistic Spam.
Feb 13, 2004 5:54PM PST
I delete anything that I am not expecting, without even opening it to see what it is.

Good move Happy especially if you are not subscribe to such e-mails.

Get Mailwasher or ePrompter or Magic Mail Monitor to preview the messages from the server. Delete unwanted emails before launching your e-mail program or hitting check emails in your email program.
- Collapse -
{NT} Thanks everyone.
Feb 14, 2004 1:21AM PST

.