Heads Up: Spam That Actually Caught My Attention

This morning I opened my e-mail and found a CNN Alert. I check CNN all the time, but never remembered signing up for any alerts.

I read through it, wasn't interested in the story at all so I figured it was some kind of mistake at CNN.com. I clicked on the "manage your setting" link below. It took me to the actual CNN site, so I proceeded to try and log in. I couldn't remember my password so I attempted to have my password sent to me.

CNN did not recognize my e-mail address. That's when it dawned on me... there might be something fishy about the e-mail.

I went back to the letter and checked the "FULL STORY" link by hovering my mouse over it... sure enough, it lead to a spam site. (I removed the link here and replaced it with an anti-spam site to avoid giving these criminals any credit.)

Beware of more e-mails like this one on the horizon... there's nothing legitimate about them. (Photo above courtesy of Flickr user cursedthing)

from CNN Alerts reply-to Vinit-tiauqav@hapesira.org to mike@myemail.com date Fri, Aug 8, 2008 at 3:31 AM subject CNN Alerts: My Custom Alert

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Alert Name: My Custom Alert General Motors bought over by Mercedes Fri, 8 Aug 2008 09:31:06 +0200 FULL STORY You have agreed to receive this email from CNN.com as a result of your CNN.com preference settings. To manage your settings click here. To alter your alert criteria or frequency or to unsubscribe from receiving custom email alerts, click here. Cable News Network. One CNN Center, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 © 2008 Cable News Network. A Time Warner Company All Rights Reserved. View our privacy policy and terms.