Spam Messages 4

[dik]

Is there any way I can see what the contents of these are without clicking on them and opening them? I got hit with a ransomeware virus a bit back and am still spooked...

thanks Dik

 

[pjw001]

I think that you will have to click on an email otherwise Gmail won't know which one to show you.

But you could try this.

Open Gmail and click on the Gmail settings cog at the top right.

Scroll down the setting until you get to the section headed "Reading pane"

Select either of the options other than "No split".

Reload Gmail and click on the email you want to look at. The text of the email will appear in the reading pane.

Once you have clicked on an email you can then select other emails to view using the arrow keys.

 

[dik]

Thanks I'll try that...

 

[dik]

It worked... This is the message...

I'm not big on porn and I don't have a computer camera... I'll try to find the site that used that password... Added: I don't have that password... it may have been a password for Guardian UK from many years back.

Any suggestions on how to block this message... I've had a dozen or two of them.

Thanks, Dik

 

[dik]

My son sent me this link

https://malwaretips.com/blogs/the-i-am-a-professional-hacker-blackmail-email-scam/

 

[sbcsu]

Everyone got these at one stage or another - if you are on Gmail then just flag as spam - we all know 'he did not gain access to your operating system'

 

[dik]

Thanks, I thought it was a scam... password quoted was from nearly a decade back. I was going to send the Guardian a note that they may have been hacked.

 

[sbcsu]

They know - I guess the moral of the story is to have a different password per site - for me I always include a comma ( , ) in my passwords so as when the hacker stores it in CSV then it breaks across 2 columns.

 

[goombawaho]

What if they keep the passwords in Excel and not a CSV? Otherwise - clever, I think.

 

[dik]

Thanks... that the password is from a decade back gives one time to pause... and wonder how long this stuff remains in cyberspace...

 

[sbcsu]

Well CSV is one format of Excel - 'save as .csv'
That is then 'openable' as a text file but of course it's not foolproof - be on your guard especially if they get you to open links that are embedded in PDF or other documents.

 

[sxschech]

I got three similar messages over the weekend and since I have a desktop without a camera and don't go to the kind of sites mentioned, knew it was fake and glad this thread confirms it.

Before I switched to a desktop mail client when I used to use the web browser for outlook, there was an option if you right click on the message you could choose to view message source and see it in plain text and this would allow seeing the contents of the mail without opening the message and the message still shows as unread (unless you aren't careful where you click and then it changes to read), so if the sender somehow had it set up to detect that you read it, in this case, that wouldn't happen. When I can't tell for sure if it's suspicious, I'll go to the web browser version.

 

[sbcsu]

A site that has stored passwords gets hacked - they download the passwords and the email addresses associated with those passwords.
Then they make up a standard looking threatning email with your email address and password in it to blackmail you into paying funds.

You need to look at [URL unfurl="true"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZbEQsKLRZQ[/url]

It's a dog eat dog world out there and you have to be careful.

 

[goombawaho]

Those guys are not much to worry about vs. ransomware. That's when you really get hosed. Opening weird emails and/or clicking on weird links is where you normally get problems. And also downloading bootleg games, software. I have to say though that I never see any regular viruses any more, like back in the XP days. It seems Windows 7 and on are better protected out of the box from those ankle biters.

You (everyone) should check this web site to see if your email has been compromised. Then you could almost expect emails like that to start coming along with SPAM. Link

 

[sbcsu]

If you have any doubts about a pdf or word document then install windows sandbox and open it inside that.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/w...tion/windows-sandbox/windows-sandbox-overview

Don't click on links within PDF's or Word Doc's

 

[dik]

I came close to getting massacred by ransomware... only saved accidentally by making a complete HD backup a few days earlier and having the HD remote from my machine... the two daily backups were attached and were encrypted, too. They are attached only for making backups, nothing is attached... also picked up a 'real' copy of bitdefender... I'm still hurting from my carelessness...

 

[AlissaStark]

I completely understand your concern, dik. Exercising caution with suspicious messages, especially after dealing with a ransomware virus, is entirely warranted. To view the contents of these messages without clicking on them and potentially triggering any harmful actions, you can often utilize the preview function in your email client. This allows you to see a glimpse of the message's content by simply hovering your cursor over it, without opening it.
Moreover, for anyone who's worried about potential threats like sextortion or blackmail, it's crucial to be well-informed about how to deal with such situations. You can find valuable insights and guidance on handling these issues in this article on how to deal with blackmail. Staying vigilant and prioritizing your online security is of utmost importance, and knowing how to respond to potential threats is a crucial part of that process.