Fake Linkedin Email-Beware
Every day I get new spam, and some of it can be dangerous.Today I got my first fake Linkedin email. When I clicked the button to check it out, I was taken to a poker website.
That was actually lucky, because I could of opened a malware file or computer exploit.
What spammers, hackers and other nefarious evil people do to get access to you and your computer is what is called “spoofing”.
They take a legitimate email, like Linkedin, Paypal or banks, and copy all the graphics and then insert their own links into the email.
It is quite simple to do and so easy to fall for. These fake Linkedin emails, fake Paypal emails and fake FedEx, UPS and more are becoming a daily occurrence.
My advice? For the fake Linkedin emails, if you do not recognize the person who is asking to connect with you, just go to your Linkedin account and login onto the website.
You will see if that invite is in there and you will know you have gotten a bad email.
Trash it and carry on. Be wary, be careful and do not trust outside emails that make no sense to you or tell you have gotten money or an UPS or FEDEX delivery notice just to name a few.
Most of the time if you just Google the email in question, you will quickly find a link to the real companies website warning you about that email.
Google is your friend in these kinds of problems, be sure to start utilizing it. Also you can always go to the actual websites like Facebook, Linkedin and Paypal to check these things safely rather then risk opening a dangerous fake email.
Here are some good website links that explain more about this threat.
Fake Linkedin Invitation to Connect.
Linkedin Website Security Warning Section