September Bits-N-Bytes

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Spam Up - Productivity Down
By Leo Bletnitsky

Over the last three months we have noticed a significant raise in the number and maliciousness of Spam email.

One example is a client who's Barracuda Spam Firewall is reporting an average of 22000 Spam messages per day, up from around 12000 to 15000 per day just a few months earlier. Just imagine if that Spam Firewall was not in place and their staff of around 40 had to sort through that much junk!

More importantly, everyone needs to be wary of following links from anyone you don't know, especially if the link is a series of numbers (an IP addresses). Those of you that have made that unfortunate mistake have probably had one of our staff members spend quite a bit of time to fix the problems that resulted. You see, the links may take you to a web site that has been designed to exploit vulnerabilities in your operating system or web browser and install Spyware and or viruses. Additionally, these site may be trying to steal your information for Identity Theft purposes.

Protect yourself and your staff by utilizing a Spam filtering device or service, and educate staff members about the dangers of opening attachments or following links from those they don't know.

Here is an example of an email that I personally received:

To: <leob@desktopvalet.com>

From: Mobile Fun <rutgers123@pobox.upenn.edu>
Subject: New Member Confirmation

>We are so happy you joined Mobile Fun.

>Account Number: 82771421419
>Temp Login ID: user7900
>Your Password ID: sk131

>This Login Info will expire in 24 hours. Please Change it.

>This link will allow you to securely change your login info: http://x.x.x.x/ (IP address masked for your protection)

>Welcome,
>New Member Technical Support
>Mobile Fun

There were two clues for me that I should not follow the link.

• I don't know who Mobile fun is!
• Legitimate companies direct you to named web sites not IP addresses. (Keep in mind that if the link is to a named web site, its not an automatic indication that it is safe to follow.)

Much of the other Spam out there tries to sell you Viagra of to pump stocks, while those emails waste your time, malitious emails like the one above can do much worse! Always keep an eye out for email scams and beware where you click.

Happy computing!

Leo Bletnitsky has been in the IT Consulting and Management business for over 12 years and is CEO/President of Desktop Valet and LBA Networking, Inc.
Leo can be reached at Leob@DesktopValet.com or 702-553-3200 x101.