spam emails..........

I've received a few spam emails over the last week.............I know one friend who clicked on the link in a spam email and it caused lots of trouble.

Gmail is where all my online emails go and I don't get much general spam but they have a great filter and it all goes to the spam folder and I delete them all without even opening them...............

BUT sometimes you get spam from friends..............they may have clicked on a bad email link/website.........somehow their account has been compromised..............

mostly they have no idea spam has been sent out to you...........If they are friends I always send back a new email to them to let them know I got an odd email............

So how do you know if it is "dodgy"

1. you keep getting emails from people you don't know (like Cheryl Ashmore - I am not sure who you are but I keep getting spam from you)

2. the email has an odd "subject" to what you may "normally" get from that person.........

3. The link isn't making sense to what they may have sent to you..........eg a link to a blog post ..........it is usually longer and the web address may make no sense at all...........

4. the email may have gone to LOTS of people in the "to" spot..........The only group emails I send out are to people who are part of a group I am emailing for a specific reason eg. SAL, SSCS, 

5. Sometimes you get links to join things or view pictures of your friends, a mailing list you haven't joined up to...........usually SPAM.........

6. sometimes blog post get spam comments...........if you see a blog comment that has nothing to do with the post you just read with lots of links don't click on them.........

SO IF IN DOUBT DELETE

Your friend won't be upset if you delete what you think may be a "spam email"..............when you email them to let them know they sure won't mind emailing you the link again if it was a good email that you should have opened..............but they sure will be happy to know they got hacked..............

how to protect yourself

keep your antivirus/security up to date.............and remember to scan your computer regularly..........

if you get hacked by someone change your passwords..............

don't open emails that don't "look right"

I'll add the link to this post to the help section on my sidebar

.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........