Possible Spambots

kim · Post by **kim** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 10:54 pm

Hi guys,

I was just contacted by another member who says he's received an email saying I sent him a private message here on the forum. Needless to say, I haven't sent anyone here a private message in a very long time.

Remember, if you receive a private message from a moderator, especially if it contains a link, check with that person first. NEVER click on a link until you verify that one of us sent it.

Our general rule of thumb is that none of the mods will ever send you a link unless you have specifically asked us to.

Take care and play it safe,

Kim

Post by **dissolute** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 2:47 am

Good advice, Kim.

I received an email telling me to log in to see a new message in my inbox - it looked exactly like the email I would normally receive is this were the case.

Fortunately, I didn't click the link because I was (naturally) already on the forum, and could see there were none.

Be warned! Don't click links in emails that claim to be coming from the forum!

Ian Wegg · Post by **Ian Wegg** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 8:19 am

The email that notifies you of a private message seems to come from Kim's personal email address, no matter who the PM is from.

I had a PM recently which I guess from its content was sent to a number of users but wasn't spam.

~iw

Post by **dissolute** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:27 pm

That's right Ian, they all come from Kim's address (but that's because of a setting in the forum which we should change... ahem)

However, I received one on 31 July but there was no new PM - can people delete PMs they created? Maybe that's what happened, because it does look legitimate.

kim · Post by **kim** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:31 pm

dissolute wrote:That's right Ian, they all come from Kim's address (but that's because of a setting in the forum which we should change... ahem)

However, I received one on 31 July but there was no new PM - can people delete PMs they created? Maybe that's what happened, because it does look legitimate.

Do you know how to change that setting? I'm not sure I know how.

Post by **dissolute** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 10:55 pm

Kim, I nearly changed it last night. I'll change it now.

MikeR · Post by **MikeR** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 10:21 am

Received a suspicious email message, apparently from the forum this morning complete with links. Deleted straight away.

Frankymole · Post by **Frankymole** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 2:34 pm

Was it a Private Message notification? Those always appear to come from Kim, whomever sent the PM, and instead of following the link I just log in here and check my PM inbox.

MikeR · Post by **MikeR** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 2:58 pm

Frankie

I think so, but I agree that your course of action in coming to the forum and looking in person is the safest option.

Post by **dissolute** » Sun Aug 24, 2014 7:28 am

I've changed the bouncebacks so they come from [email protected]
If you see Kim's address, it's probably fake fro mnow on.