Centria Bulletin published an article “Junkmail conversations” written by our Cynic-colleague Olli Isohanni:
Have you been curious what happens if you reply to junk mail? We at Centria SecuLab have tested it so that you do not need to! There is usually little or no danger in the process of receiving and opening a spam message, as long as no links are clicked, or any attachments are downloaded.
However, there is a chance that some kind of tracking might happen when you open a junk mail, if your email automatically loads images. Clicking on links or downloading attachments can also expose the user to phishing, ransomware and malware. You can always delete suspicious private emails, or in the case of work-related emails, you should contact your IT-support for assistance.
We received an email with the header “US ARMY GREETINGS” to one of our laboratory email accounts. We decided to reply to it. There were a lot of indications that it was a scam and you can see some of our email discussions in this article.
I am sorry to encroach into your privacy in this manner, I found your name listed in the Trade Center Chambers of Commerce directory here in Iraq, I find it pleasurable to offer you my partnership in business. I only pray this time that your address is still valid. I want to solicit your attention to receive money on my behalf.
I am Capt. John Anthony, an officer in the US Army, i am one of the U.S. Army deployed to Iraq in the beginning of the war in 20014, and also a West Point Graduate presently serving in the Military with the 82nd Air Borne Division Peace keeping force in Baghdad, Iraq. I am on the move to Afghanistan from Iraq as the last batch just left, and i really need your help in assisting me with the safe keeping of two military trunk boxes which has just arrived the USA from Iraq. I hope you can be trusted?
Though, I would like to hold back certain information for security reasons for now until you have found time to visit the BBC website news below to enable you have insight regarding what I intend to share with you, believing that it would be of your desired interest in one
way or the other. Here is a BBC news listing that confirms what I want to share with you: xxx.xxx.xxx.com.
In this regards, I will not hold back to say that the essence of this letter is strictly for mutual benefit of you and I and nothing more. I will be more vivid and coherent in my next email in this regards.
Meanwhile, could you send me a mail confirming you have visited the site and understood my intentions? Am standing by for your urgent response now that we are leaving Iraq to Afghanistan.
Yours faithfully,
Best regards.
Capt Anthony John
US ARMY GREETINGS;