[Dialogue] "Safe emailing" off topic

[Del Morril]

If I get an e-mail that I cannot be sure of, I cut/paste the address of the
sender and put it into a new e-mail, asking the sender if they sent it.  It
will go nowhere if it isn't legit. I did this with the stuff from UPS, the
IRS and people whose names I know, especially if there is no personal
message from the sender that indicates the e-mail is legit. I NEVER use an
address link that is the only thing in the e-mail message section.  Almost
always a clear indication of something to be leery of.

Del

 

Del Hunter Morrill

3217 North Mason Avenue

Tacoma WA 98407-5419

H: (253) 752-1506; W: (253) 383-5757

 <mailto:delhmor at wamail.net> delhmor at wamail.net

Web site: www. hypnocenter.com

 

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. (Joseph Campbell)

 

 

  _____  

From: dialogue-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net
[mailto:dialogue-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Janice Ulangca
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 3:25 AM
To: Colleague Dialogue
Subject: Re: [Dialogue] "Safe emailing" off topic

 

Hurray for the Pope! Sometimes a firm hand is a relief. Helpful realism &
alternative way to share.  Thanks, Tim.

Janice

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Timothy Wegner <mailto:tim at tswegner.net>  

To: Colleague Dialogue <mailto:dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>  

Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 11:10 PM

Subject: [Dialogue] "Safe emailing" off topic

 

In my self-appointed role of benevolent dictator (who has actual power over
the list, heh heh!), I would like to mildly suggest that the current
discussion of safe email practice, while initially useful, is off topic
going forward. My reasons are: 

 

1. It's a huge topic, and while everyone here should be interested, if we
gave the topic of email safety the  thoroughness it deserved, we'd be
flooded with that subject forever, and the purpose of the list would be
thwarted.

 

2. Even though most of the suggestions in this thread have been good, let's
face it, while some of us know more than others, nobody here is an expert on
computer security. Even though none of us would attempt brain surgery
(except those of us who are brain surgeons), it seems like most of us become
security experts at the drop of of hat, and pass on all kinds of security
information that might or might not be accurate.

 

The one exception to this "mild suggestion" is that occasionally when
dangerous messages actually appear on the list itself, some brief
instructions or suggestions might need to be posted to mitigate risk. In
such cases brevity is appreciated.

 

What I suggest is this. I will create a topic at wiki.wedgeblade.net on
email safety. Anybody with an account (who can overcome the existential
dread of posting on a wiki) can add material to their heart's content. I
will start it with some of the messages that were posted here, and let you
know when I do. A wiki is better than email for this purpose because it can
be edited in case any errors creep in. (I will not ask anyone's permission
to repost their messages on email security, but will happily take them down
if asked.)

 

I cannot fail to add the following (highly off topic) comment (since
hypocrisy is the style of the day in our country), that hotmail was earlier
maligned by one of my esteemed colleagues. This prejudice had a basis in
fact once but is wrong now. Microsoft has totally redone it's email and
hotmail (a.k.a outlook.com) now rivals Google'd gmail(which I use and like -
tswegner.net is hosted at Google). Hotmail is a very reasonable
full-featured email host now. 

 

Angry (or not) rejoinders to  this haughty pontification welcome to me
personally, off the list of course!

 

Tim


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