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Why is it that e-mail borne
viruses are so effective? Is it because they are incredibly clever? Are
they created by master programmers with unearthly knowledge and skills?
The answer is a resounding no. The reason is, unfortunately, because people
are incredibly stupid (maybe careless is more appropriate)! I believe
that many of these are created to see just how gullible computer users
and the public in general still are. The creator sits back in their basement
computer cave snickering at what a bunch of losers that they
are forced to share the world and deal with.
I'm sorry to possibly insult
you and your intelligence but lets face the facts here. We hear the same
thing from people who have been infected time after time.
"Gee, I
got this e-mail so I opened it. It had this attachment with it so I clicked
on it (and fed it to the computer) nothing happend when I clicked on the
attachment, so I did this 38 more times trying to get it to do something.
How was I supposed to know whether it was OK to open a message or an attachment
(and feed it to the computer), I'm not a computer expert"
Lets look at things a little
differently, imagine that someone that you have never heard of before
named xlYqR7822@hotmail.com comes into your office. They are carrying
a package with them and they demand that you open the package and consume
the contents of this package. Would you do this? Those who answered yes
please register as a contestant for the Darwin
awards. Yet when an e-mail comes in, from an unknown, with a package
(an attachment), telling you to feed it to your computer, you feel compelled
to do it. What ARE you thinking, this is absolutely STUPID! You deserve
the virus (not really, nobody does), but you might need to register at
the Darwin site.
Let's try one that's a little
more difficult. Someone who looks just like someone you know comes into
your office carrying a package. They demand that you open the package
and consume the contents. Would you do this? If you answered yes to this
one you need to visit the Darwin
link.
Realistically, are you expecting
any package from someone? If a package just showed up on my home doorstep
and I was not expecting it I would be very careful, even if it said that
it came from the president (or my mom). Actually, if it said that it came
from the president I would know it was a hoax. If it said that it came
from my mom, I would call her and say "mom, you sent me a package
- how nice of you". If she had no idea what I was talking about,
and did not have Alzheimer's, I would become EXTREMELY suspicious of the
package (THAT I HAD NOT YET OPENED!).
If someone comes to my door
at 11:37pm wearing a green uniform, announcing that they are delivering
for United Parcel Service
and they are carrying a package, do I open the door? Let them into my
home? Open the package? Consume the contents? Yes?
Let's reason this one out. The delivery company does not make house calls
at that time, the delivery company's standard is a different color, and
I am NOT expecting a package! This delivery does not carry the earmarks
of legitimacy with it. In all likelihood this package will not be something
that I want. Do you see where we are going with this?
Some types of packages (e-mail
attachments) are programs that are designed to perform instructions on
your computer system. Like, delete all files on the computer hard disk
and display a message asking if the person has registered for the Darwin
awards yet. Is there REALLY any reason that you should be receiving
an e-mail that contains a program?
ECS provides hosting
plans that enable you to make sure that e-mail attachments that
appear to be programs do not enter your office. We also offer e-mail
scanning at the mail server making sure that infected e-mail's never
get to your office in the first place.
Just using a little common
sense when it comes to e-mail will go a long way in preventing the spread
of e-mail borne viruses. Check to see if the message has the appearance
of coming from an expected source. Find out if the message has a package
(attachment) with it. If it does have a package did you verify that the
person really sent it (before opening it). Does the message carry the
earmarks of legitimacy? Is there any reason that I would want to receive
a program, from anyone, in the form of an e-mail.
Next time an e-mail comes in
you will be much better prepared for the potential problems that can happen
with e-mail that has attachments and the potential for viruses. If you
still haven't learned anything there's always the Darwin
link! |
