I think of myself as fairly savvy when it comes to falling for internet scams, but today I made a mistake. I had mailed some packages on Tuesday, and today I get an email from the post office that there was a problem with one of the addresses and an attachment showed the problem label.
Of course, I addressed these in a rush so it didn't take much for me to believe this email and download the "label." When I did, the file was empty, or appeared to be, and then it struck me that something was wrong and I realized (and a big DUH! to me) that the post office doesn't have my email address.
So then I notice that my virus scan said it was "assessing a risk" or something and that was the end of it. I did a scan of the whole computer, and all it found were cookies.
The only other time I almost got caught is when I ordered a set of drinking glasses from Wal-Mart -- it was the first time I've ever bought from Wal-Mart and a few days after the glasses arrived, I get an email from Wal-Mart asking me to take a survey. I assumed it was because of my first time buying. I went to take the survey and it was badly constructed which I thought was odd from a retail giant like Wal-Mart and then it asked for my credit card number or something when I realized it was a scam.
Thinking back on today's episode, the people who promulgate these viruses and scams are experts at it. I'm trying to quickly go through 120 emails, I had mailed packages a few days ago and my brain is going in 10 different directions. Hopefully there is no damage to my computer, but it's another reminder to be totally cautious.
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Yes, I don't understand what jollies the guys (or gals) that write these viruses get.. are they just trying to make the next BIG virus so it will get on TV or something. What a waste of time.
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