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Word to the Wise

Sorry you all, just my two cents...

There was a recent poster on here posting multiple threads with links to you tube videos.

Hopefully its all legit and the person is a new eager addition to the hobby.

However, since I am an auditor when I'm not enjoying our amazing hobby, I have to point out some red flags I noticed in this person's posts. I have always been trained to never ever click on links if I didn't know the source. Links can SEEM harmless on the surface, while they are giving access to your laptop, data, and on-line stuff to an individual in Eastern Europe or China who does not have the best intentions.

Red flags would be misspellings in the content and poor grammar as English is not their original language. These folks use social engineering tricks to appeal to your interests, lower your guard, and get you to click away. By reading the reply posts (I did not click on the videos), it seemed like the videos were not the type you would expect from one of us in the hobby...i.e fabricated to serve an alternate purpose.

The sheer volume of posts seemed like spam on a fishing expedition.

Anyway, I pray I am wrong, and if I am, I truly apologize to the original poster. However, in the times we are currently in, I felt responsible to at least throw out a warning to my fellow beloved hobbyists.

Our IT guy once told me, it's not a matter of if you get hacked, but whenimage

Comments

  • mariner67mariner67 Posts: 2,746 ✭✭✭
    All good points here....thanks!
    Successful trades/buys/sells with gdavis70, adriana, wondercoin, Weiss, nibanny, IrishMike, commoncents05, pf70collector, kyleknap, barefootjuan, coindeuce, WhiteTornado, Nefprollc, ajw, JamesM, PCcoins, slinc, coindudeonebay,beernuts, and many more
  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,624 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: mariner67
    All good points here....thanks!


    image
  • GazesGazes Posts: 2,315 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes --- appreciate the advice
  • Where the hell were you before everyone clicked? You're the one yelling fire in the theatre.
  • MedalCollectorMedalCollector Posts: 2,011 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good advice. Many people may be unaware of the possibility of a successful phishing attack on a site like this. I'm not an IT guy but a forum like this may also be a target for types of code injection attacks. Always good to be aware of this stuff! Thanks!
  • davewesendavewesen Posts: 6,603 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Are you saying youtube is not safe? My browser shows me the address when I hover over it, before clicking.

    I almost never click on links in emails, especially when not expected.
  • stevebensteveben Posts: 4,628 ✭✭✭✭✭
    you are right...you should always beware of click bait.



    the recent onslaught of youtu.be links are legit youtube links. the url looks like that because it's been shortened by youtube.
  • CommemKingCommemKing Posts: 2,202 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I always tread lightly with links. I saw those posts the other day and thought it could be an expedition. Unfortunately, you never know.
  • TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
    Excellent point.
    I've never had an issue with any link from this site - that I know of.image
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,072 ✭✭✭✭✭
    point well taken.
  • streeterstreeter Posts: 4,312 ✭✭✭✭✭
    And wouldn't this be a fortuitous place to find people of above average net worth? It's called placing the bait correctly.
    Have a nice day
  • YQQYQQ Posts: 3,334 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I almost never click on links in emails, especially when not expected.


    ok lets assume you receive the following email from, what appears to be a known to you person with whom you regularly correspond.
    "good morning dave (***your name). You just simply have to see what my boss proposed to me. this am he sent me this letter to my email. I am very pleased... we have to celebrate.
    read it and call me , tell me what you think.

    there is the following MS office attachment with the email titled

    JackspromotionandInvitation.doc

    would you open it or not? It is sent from your friend Jacks internal company email. this is the promotion you have been waiting for for a long time....

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life
  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,624 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: IwasAgentjim007
    Where the hell were you before everyone clicked? You're the one yelling fire in the theatre.


    image
  • BackroadJunkieBackroadJunkie Posts: 3,745 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: YQQ
    I almost never click on links in emails, especially when not expected.


    ok lets assume you receive the following email from, what appears to be a known to you person with whom you regularly correspond.

    [snip]

    would you open it or not? It is sent from your friend Jacks internal company email. this is the promotion you have been waiting for for a long time....


    You check the complete headers, not just the from address. Anyone can fake up a from address.

    From the header (which should be over 10 lines, if you only see three, you are not seeing the entire header), you can see where the message originated from, as well as the path that it took to get to you. (If you don't know how to do this, you should probably learn.)

    If you're unsure, check one of his old e-mail to you and compare the e-mail path. Failing that, CALL THE PERSON ON THE PHONE!

    Just clicking on links today is the easiest way to get compromised.

    Edited to fix format problem
  • silverpopsilverpop Posts: 6,720 ✭✭✭✭✭
    gee I have had no issues with those links



    wonder why?

    graded silver coins (NEED TO SELL ASAP)
    link below
    https://photos.app.goo.gl/7bPCP787VCZCCKb67

  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,507 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Many fall prey to the scammers.
    Many pray the scammers fall, too.
  • derrybderryb Posts: 37,556 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Webroot constant monitoring with a daily manual run of the free download of Malwarebytes.
  • bronco2078bronco2078 Posts: 10,425 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: streeter
    And wouldn't this be a fortuitous place to find people of above average net worth? It's called placing the bait correctly.


    Above average net worth combined with poor impulse control in many casesimage

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good advice...especially for those who are not experienced in internet trickery... (even for some

    who are).... I worry particularly about links in emails or unfamiliar websites... Cheers, RickO
  • CuKevinCuKevin Posts: 1,736 ✭✭✭✭
    Keeping this near the top so people stay informed. This is excellent advice.
    Zircon Cases - Protect Your Vintage Slabs www.ZirconCases.com
    Choice Numismatics www.ChoiceCoin.com

    CN eBay

    All of my collection is in a safe deposit box!
  • EagleguyEagleguy Posts: 2,264 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thank You for posting this.

    Something to think about since we all want to help and educate new people but the sheer amount of continuous "HEY! LOOK AT THIS RARE/ERROR COIN" posts linking to a video of a generic date coin while ignoring suggestions to post pictures and consolidate posts practically screams "WARNING" to me but probably sounds really inviting to the more trusting/helpful people in our community. At best, he's a total newbie who needs the help. More likely, he's increasing his revenue through clicks (since he doesn't seem to contribute elsewhere). At worst, well - that's just been pointed out.
  • silverpopsilverpop Posts: 6,720 ✭✭✭✭✭
    grand



    ever try and see it from that person's point of view or did we not take that into account?



    maybe video in their opinion is the best idea to get their point across



    and guessing isn't going to help knowing the facts will

    graded silver coins (NEED TO SELL ASAP)
    link below
    https://photos.app.goo.gl/7bPCP787VCZCCKb67

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