| Linda: The email messages themselves aren't going to | | | | There is no national 'do not send spam email to this |
| hurt you - but if they have attachments, downloads, | | | | account' list; if there was, it would surely be used to |
| or links included, and you click or download these | | | | send spam. |
| your chances of getting malware are very high. | | | | Jessica: You worked for Microsoft for 13 years and |
| Never click on the attachments or links in chain mails. | | | | your book naturally addresses Windows and |
| Period. And don't forward them to others. Forwarding | | | | information pertaining to PC's. But, I would like to |
| these emails at a minimum clogs email servers (an | | | | offer advice to our members that have Macintosh |
| estimated 93% of all email is spam), worst case you | | | | computers. Macs have built in virus protection but |
| are placing others at significant risk for malware. | | | | that doesn't mean they are impervious to criminals. |
| Jessica: Is it safe to unsubscribe from an emailed | | | | With that said, what tools do you recommend for |
| advertisement? Could malware be added to your | | | | our members that have Macs? |
| computer when you unsubscribe? Is there a national | | | | Linda: Mac users have traditionally felt safe from |
| "do not email" list similar to the "do not call" list? | | | | malware attacks and they were largely safe in doing |
| Linda: If you are currently subscribed to the company | | | | so because criminals always go for the biggest |
| that (purportedly) sent the email advertisement and | | | | opportunity and with Windows dominating over 90% |
| you want to unsubscribe, do not use the link in the | | | | of computers, Apple machines were an edge case. |
| email. Use a search engine to find the company's | | | | As Apple's market share increases, so have the |
| website - so you know you are really on the | | | | threats to Mac computers, and iPhones. |
| legitimate site - and then use the unsubscribe option | | | | Unfortunately, the smugness that some Mac users |
| there. | | | | have felt when watching attacks against the |
| If the email is not legitimate and you click on the | | | | Windows OS has led to very poor adoption rates of |
| unsubscribe link, you will surely have malware trying | | | | security software. This is a real mistake. The security |
| to get onto your computer. | | | | and safety advice I have given remains true |
| If you suspect the email is fraudulent, you may want | | | | regardless of the Operating System you run. |
| to report it to the company - larger sites usually | | | | Until next time, here's to keeping you Safer in the |
| have a unique "report spam" email address for this | | | | City! |
| purpose. | | | | |