SPAMALOT
When
I hear the word fishing, I think of a cane pole or a mullet net. Scattered is a
word I use at the Waffle House. When I receive return mail, it’s because I
messed up and forgot to put a stamp on a letter. Spam is a small can of questionable meat that
one may slice and fry-up in a pan. Am I wrong?
Well…it
all depends if we’re talking about the real world or the virtual world because
in Cyberspace nothing is as it seems. Computer geeks took normal unsuspecting
words and invented new definitions and sometimes spelling for them.
Phishing
Phishing is a fraudulent e-mail process that tries to trick you into
revealing your passwords, bank account numbers or your username. The phishing
e-mail will ask you to click on the provided ‘trustworthy’ link to verify your
personal information. This phishing e-mail states that they believe your
account has been compromised, so if you would quickly click on the link, it
will take you directly to a website (legitimate looking) so you can confirm all
of your confidential information. This is
a criminal e-mail. Delete it!
Backscatter:
Have
you ever received a strange advertising e-mail from yourself? It’s called
backscatter. It’s a side effect of unsolicited bulk e-mail. Your e-mail address
was used to send messages to large groups of people, and you happen to be on
that list. Don’t open it simply delete it.
Return
Mail:
Return mail or return delivery is an e-mail that has been returned to
the sender. Keep in mind, you personally were never the ‘real sender’ however,
your e-mail address was used in the backscatter method and one of the
recipients address in the bulk advertising e-mail was invalid. Cyberspace does
not allow e-mails to fall into a big black hole; therefore, the offending junk
e-mail is bounced-back to the sending address, which is yours.
I
researched this problem once. The only thing I managed to do was elevate my
blood pressure. With that being said, when you receive a return mail
notification quickly hit the delete key. (Note: First, make sure it is not one
of your legitimate outgoing e-mails where you made a typing error in the
address.)
Spam:
Phishing, backscatter and return mail are all types of spam. Just like
the junk mail, you receive in your postbox. If you have extra time and energy
on your hands, you could research and report these irritating offensives.
However, keep in mind that you have a spam filter and delete button on your
computer. Preserve your sanity and use them!
It’s
now time for you to leave the virtual world and join me in the real world. How
about we go fishing or maybe go get something scattered, smothered and covered?
Spam? Thank you, NO!
Pam’s
Safety Tip:
You
may have your computer plugged into a surge protector, however if lightning
hits your home, the only way to be certain your computer is safe is to UNPLUG
it during the storm. Surge protectors protect utility lines from power surges
caused by the utility company but they don’t protect appliances against
lightning strikes.
Drop
me a line anytime, perdidobeach@gulftel.com
