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Brent's Blog
Sunday, November 14, 2004 9:02 PM
You are stupid (how to spot an internet hoax)
 I received the following message while I was away today:Because of our overloading of our servers, we are being forced to extract our non-active AIM users. Because this is a free service, AOL has exceeded the budget for the AIM service. We are asking that you send this exact message to 20 other AIM users to ensure us that you're an active AIM user. Our system tracking devise will pick up this message to keep you on our active list. You have 72 hours to complete this task or your service will be cancelled immediately. Starting January 1st, 2005, we will be charging a small fee for registering of a screen name for AIM. Thank you for your time and for using AOL or AIM.Sincerely, Mark Jenkins AOL Owner and Founder.Let's analyze this hoax shall we?The first thing that should stand out is the nonstandard color and font, if this was truly a message from AOL's founder as it purports to be then it should be using the plain AIM font color and size. Next is the misspelling of the word "devise", I think that such an important and critical message would have at least been spell-checked. Lastly, the aspect of the hoax that should have set off the warning bells in your mind would be what it asks you to do. This message asks the recipient to send the same message to twenty other people. Wouldn't AOL have the power to automatically send this message to all AIM users? It makes no sense for AOL to be asking users to spread the word. This is key for spotting hoaxes, and while this one was fairly harmless others can be much more malicious. For example, your bank e-mails you asking you to go to their website and submit your account number before you bank account is deleted. Ok, if you look at this one, your bank should know the number, and should also have more effective ways of contacting you than e-mail. Bottom line: be careful, and think.If you would like more information regarding social engineering and hoaxes I suggest reading Kevin Mitnick's The Art of Deception, I have a copy in anyone wants to borrow it. | Random Picture: We really saw this in Tokyo, I have some more crazy sign pictures to post in a bit. If you want a picture posted as a random picture, then send it to me at eagle8635@gmail.com
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