[Nesabes] windows update email scam

[Ball, Patrice]

Windows Update E-mail Scam
This is something that has been around for the last couple of years, but within the last few weeks, it seems to have crept back up again. Therefore, I felt it was my duty to warn you all about it just in case. Many of you have probably already heard of this and you may have dealt with it yourselves before too, but either way, this is a security issue and you all need to be aware of it. 
This e-mail scam has to do with the Windows Updates that come out every second Tuesday of each month. The hackers involved with this scam are pretending to be Microsoft and they're sending out fake e-mails, telling users they need to install a critical update right away. They give you a link to follow, which takes you to a false version of the Windows Update Web site. You are then presented with a series of links you can use to download the update, but in all actuality, you're downloading a Trojan virus and other malicious patches. If your computer becomes infected with the virus, the hackers can then obtain complete control of your PC.
Now, there are a couple things you should look out for when it comes to this particular scam. First, the hackers usually try to send this e-mail out right around the time when a monthly update is scheduled to arrive. And in case you haven't noticed, we are now in a new month and the new updates will be coming out next week sometime (right around October 9, 2007). So, keep your eyes out for any unusual e-mails within the next week or so, because if it's going to happen, it will be soon. Also, keep in mind that Microsoft will never send you an e-mail about their updates. The updates will always show up in your taskbar and nowhere else. Don't be fooled by a look alike Microsoft image. Just use some common sense when you're going through your e-mails. If something looks suspicious, delete it and forget about it. If you do that, you'll be just fine! 

Patty Ball, Technology Coordinator
NorthEast SABES c/o NECC
45 Franklin St
Lawrence MA 01840
978-738-7303  pball at necc.mass.edu

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"Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks." 
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