Email from the FBI??? Yeah, right

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:33 am

http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/fbi.asp

You guys know I don't send virus hoaxes. This one is real.

The FBI isn't going to communicate with anyone through email, and they don't particularly care what websites you visit. The email is designed to scare you into opening the file that triggers the virus download.

So DON'T!

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:35 am

that would be enough to scare the snot out of some people!:wah: ..... thanks BR.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 11:27 am

BabyRider wrote: http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/fbi.asp

You guys know I don't send virus hoaxes. This one is real.

The FBI isn't going to communicate with anyone through email, and they don't particularly care what websites you visit. The email is designed to scare you into opening the file that triggers the virus download.

So DON'T!So...:-3 do we click on the address or not?

I have an itchy finger & wanna use it!

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 11:29 am

abbey wrote: So...:-3 do we click on the address or not?

I have an itchy finger & wanna use it!

Sorry, that was kind of confusing, wasn't it?

Yes, Abbey, check out the link posted. It's an email that claims to be from the FBI that will show up in your mailbox that you want to delete. The link above is to snopes, proving that the virus scare is real and not a hoax.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 11:34 am

ArnoldLayne wrote: I've had several from e-bay and pay-pal even using the logo. Really did look like the real thing but something didnt quite sit right so I was fortunate
Very fortunate, Arnold!! Anything that says FBI on it, DELETE!!!

So, how have you been? I missed ya!! :-6

orangesox1 · Post by **orangesox1** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 1:17 pm

I'v had a couple of those in the past but I didn't open them, I reported it to the FBI. They would really scare some people though

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 1:27 pm

It would sure be a little scary, glad I haven't seen anything like that!

I did a couple months back talk to a REAL FBI agent... he showed up

at the door of the house I was working in... lady of the house had gone

on an errand... and he introduced himself very nicely and I tell ya, that

was about all I heard!

She had told me her husband was in Russia

and I guess my head was just spinning around trying to parse it out!

He came back later to talk to her but I hope that never happens again!

:-2

Lil~Basco · Post by **Lil~Basco** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 2:33 pm

Really must be that time of year for junk mail BR...received several of those FBI and paypal e-mails. Deleted them all.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 3:08 pm

BabyRider wrote: http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/fbi.asp

You guys know I don't send virus hoaxes. This one is real.

The FBI isn't going to communicate with anyone through email, and they don't particularly care what websites you visit. The email is designed to scare you into opening the file that triggers the virus download.

So DON'T!

If you ever get official looking emails with attachments from an organisation you're not normally in contact with, DO NOT open the email until you have selected to read it in plain text. If you use Outlook Express, you can do this by clicking on Tools at the top of the window, click on Options from the drop down menu, click on the Read tab at the top of the Options window, and check the Checkbox to "Read all messages in plain text". This will prevent the email itself from downloading viruses, etc onto your PC via the preview pane graphics. DO NOT open the attachment. Check the name of the sender and the department. Contact the organisation using a number you have found yourself using Directory Enquiries or a phone book, etc. Ask the organisation to confirm the email.

The worst case scenarios would be where your PC is subjected to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack (whereby your computer just stops working); or your PC could be used to either spread the virus to thousands of other computers (resulting in a denial of service from your ISP), or establish your bank/credit card details, and so on.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 3:09 pm

OpenMind wrote: If you ever get official looking emails with attachments from an organisation you're not normally in contact with, DO NOT open the email until you have selected to read it in plain text. If you use Outlook Express, you can do this by clicking on Tools at the top of the window, click on Options from the drop down menu, click on the Read tab at the top of the Options window, and check the Checkbox to "Read all messages in plain text". This will prevent the email itself from downloading viruses, etc onto your PC via the preview pane graphics. DO NOT open the attachment. Check the name of the sender and the department. Contact the organisation using a number you have found yourself using Directory Enquiries or a phone book, etc. Ask the organisation to confirm the email.

The worst case scenarios would be where your PC is subjected to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack (whereby your computer just stops working); or your PC could be used to either spread the virus to thousands of other computers (resulting in a denial of service from your ISP), or establish your bank/credit card details, and so on.
Wow, I didn't know most of that, OM, thanks for the info!

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:15 pm

You are very welcome, BR. Just doin' my public duty.