How many times to people need to be told about Social Viruses (in terms of computers and the internet). For those who don't know, they are a virus that doesn't work in a traditional manor but instead warns people of a ficticous real virus or new criminal activity. Then asks them to send it to everyone they know. Loads of people do so you end up with spam filling up everyones inbox. They usually describle something so daft that if people actually thought about it they would realise what they were doing!

these are generally called hoax mails, not viruses. Although there spread could be described as viral at a push I suppose.

Sort of like viral marketing.

I like the 'Irish Variant' of a virus that asks you to send the mail on to everyone in their Address book. ;)

And apologies to anyone of Irish stock.

Joe :)

Whoops... went into lecture mode and only realised I was misreading when I re-read...

Kind of prophetic really but the answer is that you can't tell people enough.. They simply forget or get confused and switch off the "common sense"..



So on that note... here's the lecture... well I'm not going to waste it, am I :P



...think you're referring to the term "social engineering" where someone uses a little psychology to get you to do something that they want...

This isn't just related to virii but also trojans, phishing scams, etc...

Stuff like the emails you get saying "your account with ebay, lloyds, etc... has been used in a fraudulent manner and suspended" will often make those with insecurities about the internet (fed by the media to the hilt) think that they're in trouble and naturally they want to protest their innocense so common sense heads out the window pretty darned quick and they click the "helpful" link before falling for the scam...

It's easily done and hardened pro's fall for it all the time...

The trick to coping with that initial panic, with all of them is something I call the "phone" test... If someone called me up and said everything already in the email would I then believe them... Chances are, I wouldn't... In many cases I'd ask for a number to call back on and/or to know why I hadn't received a letter with this information...



Now, this is where it gets nasty... there are some concerns being voiced now that there are more and more nuggets of information turning up and being collated on you as individuals, such as who you bank with, your address, mothers maiden name (you remember those cute "make your porn name" games... yes, that's what some of them were looking for)... and all of this, if collated properly can be used to get you to ellicit yet more information...

From here on in they can start to get access to accounts through "forgotten your password" features or other such security devices...

So, the rule of thumb is always to confirm it yourself using the information channels (listed phone numbers, a url you type in yourself, etc...) to check you're not being had.. And also to consider the information you share with others and where else it could be used..

I have just seen the thread about exactly whay I am describing here. It was started before this one but I hadn't seen it!

Someone I was talking to brought up an email they recieved and how they didn't think it was possible. So they sent it to every one the knew to warn them! They didn't even understand when I explained the point. Looks like I will never make a career in tech support after all.

Originally posted by Cyclone
these are generally called hoax mails, not viruses. Although there spread could be described as viral at a push I suppose.

I didn't invent the phrase - I took it from an intersting article about the subject. If it isn't the commonly used title I am sorry, the guy must have made it up himself.