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Internet Safety E-mail FAQ
Question: What are some disadvantages of e-mail over postal mail?
Response: Electronic mail can contain viruses in attachments, someone can easily read your mail without your knowledge, and you can easily get tons of unwanted mail (spam).
Question: What are some advantages of e-mail over postal mail?
Response: Electronic mail travels a lot faster than postal mail, there is no fee for postage, and it is very convenient to use.
Question: How can I avoid spam?
Response: You should avoid giving out your e-mail address to companies, unless required for a certain purpose. Also, if you post on bulletin boards, avoid posting with your e-mail address, unless it is required.
Question: Will bad things happen to me if I don't forward this chain letter I got?
Response: Perhaps, but not because you did not forward it.
Question: Will bad things happen to me if I do forward this chain letter I got?
Response: If the chain letter is forwarded to an address-reaper, they will take all the addresses listed, and start spamming all those individuals, including you. The e-mail addresses are guaranteed to be valid, because you were able to forward an e-mail to them. On the other hand, if you forward this chain letter, someone you sent it to may consider it as spam, and report you to your Internet Service Provider, and you could lose your account!
Question: How can I tell if an e-mail is a hoax?
Response: The best thing you can do is to use your common sense. Also take notice of any dates or events mentioned within the email to see if it current. Also pay attention to current events. If the item described in the e-mail is truly urgent, then it should make the news. HoaxBusters.org keeps track of hoaxes pervading the Internet and if it is a hoax, it will probably be listed there. You can also check if it is listed on our Alerts page. To access the Alerts page click, Alerts on the left.
Question: I keep getting e-mails with a love letter attached. Do I have a secret admirer?
Response: Quite possibly, but I doubt they are actually admiring you. Unless your secret admirer is a not-so-secret admirer, I'd suggest you stay away from the attachment.
Related Internet Security Information:
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