This is a clever one I just received, that really gives me a good example to show you what I mean when I talk about these email scams and how they work.
Below is the text copy of the email I just received. I have deactivated the links because I don’t want anyone to misinterpret this blog posting and follow the link by accident, thereby falling for the scam I’m attempting to educate you about.
The spam email:
New Version Of Skype Has Been Released
This is to notify that new updates have been released for Skype.
http://www.2011-skype-software-download.org
Following are major new features :
- * Up to 5-way group video call.
- * Redesigned calling experience.
- * Improved video snapshots gallery.
- * Improved browser plugins performance on some websites.
- * Reduced false positives on browser plugin phone number recognition.
- * New presence icons.
- * Improved handling of calling attempts made when the user has run out of credit.
- * Improved access to sharing functionality
To download the latest version , go to :
http://www.2011-skype-software-download.org
Start downloading the update right now and let us know what you think about it.
We’re working on making Skype better all the time !
Talk soon,
The people at Skype
So, to my smarter-than-the-average-customer customers; be aware to look for this one. This email was NOT sent by Skype, and of course email downloads are not the proper way to update your Skype program in the first place. If you have any form of Skype on your computer, there is an automatic updater that will prompt you within the program, NEVER by email.
This scam wants to fool you into downloading some form of malicious program. Of course we don’t want to find out exactly what kind, since that would require allowing the program to corrupt a computer and possibly any network that computer is connected to.
Be advised to avoid this email if you see it, be aware of it in case you receive it, and share this blog posting amongst your friends and colleagues to help ward off the bad download.