| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| cecelia |
Posted - Oct 18 2004 : 10:32:04 AM
Hi all,
I didn't know where to post this, so I'm putting it here. I have been getting some strange mail lately (emails mostly). I just checked the little icons above my name, and found an XXX rated website is listed for my homepage (I don't have a homepage!) I strongly suggest you all check all those little icons, and you may be in for a surprise
Cecelia
ce's farm
"Curiosity is one of the forms of feminine bravery" Victor Hugo |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Michael |
Posted - Oct 31 2004 : 4:24:03 PM
How sad indeed. But it is true. I know an employer who received an anonymous letter about an employee posting to a bulletin board using their real name and email address. This created an enormous amount of trouble including having their computer and all their emails seized and inspected. One would like to think we have a nice group of friends, even family, here. I am sure we can all trust each other, but unless we make this a closed list, there will always be onlookers who want to make trouble.
I suggest that if people want to make contacts they do it by sending each other a private communication then you can reveal your last name to someone you trust. Even then I would suggest caution. People have successfully impersonated children on the internet. If they give you their details - and you can verify them, then you are in a better situation to reveal yours.
I have removed most of my details from my profile.
Sad, but true.
Happy Halloween 'Family' |
| Eileen |
Posted - Oct 28 2004 : 10:12:24 AM
Kimberly and Taylor,
Thanks for your hard work!
Send MaryJane our love,
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| n/a |
Posted - Oct 28 2004 : 10:07:35 AM
Good morning all! Clare emailed me concerning this situation and I spoke with MaryJane, Taylor, and Carol. They have assured me that as soon as MJ heard about this, she contacted our service provider. He has been working on it and it has been a long process, but we do believe this has been taken care of. Just to ease your minds a little, these emails have been around for about two years now. A lot of big corporations, and even my home personal email, have received these in the past. This isn't something new, so our service provider is aware of these types of emails and knows how to take care of the situation. Thank you for being so patient with us through this and please hang in there with us!! :)
Also, on another note, MaryJane wanted me to mention that she hasn't been able to be online a lot lately with her book needing to get finished. Her apologies! She misses it! She does read and check it out a little here and there when she gets a break (usually around 3 in the morning or so). We have her soooo busy! :) But, just so you know, she thinks about ya'll often!
Please let us know if this problem continues. In the meantime, happy chatting!!!! Talk to you soon - Kimberely |
| taylor |
Posted - Oct 28 2004 : 10:07:08 AM
Hi girls, I am really sorry for the inconvenience of those annoying emails. I have gotten the nigerian offer as well. These types of emails have been around for awhile - I have recieved them numerous times. Please be sure not to respond to them it only encourages them.
We hope that all you ladies don't feel abandoned by us. We haven't been able to chat a lot as we are on a tight book deadline. Sarah, though she is still the main Connection Administrator no longer works on the farm and I know she has been busy looking for a job in Seattle. However, rest assured we have been working on this problem since we first discovered it about 2 weeks ago. We have upgraded our forum program but these spammers are very clever and not easily stopped. Our service providers are working as we speak to solve the problem. If you get any of these emails use the the "block sender" option on your email and then erase it promptly.
Again, I want to stress that we are really sorry about this but unfortunately the world wide web is a largely lawless world, one where miscreants can cause trouble to there rotten hearts' content without having to worry about being called out on the table for it. Know that any time you share your email publicly on the web you are bound to get unwanted emails. My advice would be to go to yahoo or hotmail and get a second email that you use to fill out commercial forms on the web or that you use on forums. This way your personal email stays separate from your more public email. Hope this helps and gives you a little more confidence. Please feel free to email me about any concerns or questions you may have. Consider me your on the farm administrator - if you cannot get through to Sarah, drop me a note and I will get to the bottom of it.
Your friend from the Farm,
Taylor |
| Clare |
Posted - Oct 28 2004 : 09:36:55 AM
The allow cookies /or not function is standard to Internet Explorer. I do not find the alert of email option on mine, so you must have gotten that from your security program. I think this will only work if you have Outlook as your email access program. Those with Yahoo and MSN and others have their own security programs. I have a few Yahoo email addresses and they always scan for bad stuff and I never ever open any email from anyone unknown. Those usually end up in my 'bulk' folder anyway. My internet provider email address gets TONS of junk mail, but thankfully most of them all go direcly to the spam folder and I just delete those enmass. It's amazing how one's email address gets "out there". I don't subscribe to that many things, and those that I do all say that they don't share email addresses... I have a good security program with McAfee that updates every other day or so (seems like-really slows me down!!), plus a program they recommended called "AdSubtract" that blocks pop up ads (those drive me crazy) and also keeps a log of things blocked and of questionable websites that try to install or have installed a cookie. So it's easy to delete those. Some are from sites I've never heard of, so they must be related to, or attached to some of the websites I frequently visit. That's beyond my grasp right now, and I don't really feel threatened by them. Just dump them occasionally.
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
| Eileen |
Posted - Oct 28 2004 : 09:20:28 AM
 Clare,
Thanks for the instructions! It is good to know somebody knows who to allert to these intrusions. The nigerian letter has been around for a long time but I wonder does it hitch hike un anounced on a persons e-mail and send itself out as if sent by someone else?
On my internet security tab in internet options there is a place where I have checked a box that tells the computer to allert me if someone attempts to send e-mail as me. Is this feature on all explorer tool bars? Or is this from my personal security program? I am pretty new to computers and have only just found this.
Also on my computer I have discovered the feature where I can tell my computer not to allow cookies from certain webb sites and always allow them from the places I am familiar with such as this forum, is this feature available from explorer or from ny security program?
 Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| Clare |
Posted - Oct 28 2004 : 08:57:03 AM
Lori,
If you don't use the "quick reply" box, but rather click on the "reply to topic" just above it, you'll get the formatting choices. There are faces on the left to click on. You don't see the face when you click, but you see its "code" in your message.
If you want to try different fonts and colors of type, that's a little trickier. Click on a font choice. You'll see it appear in your box with a beginning [ ] and and ending one that starts with a slash [/].... you must type in between these two beginning and ending instructions. If you want to add color, put your cursor in between those two instructions and click on the color you want. You'll now have beginning and ending instructions for color in the middle of your typeface instructions. To begin typing, put your cursor in the middle of the color choice to start. This way you're telling the computer: ok - my typeface is xxx and my color is xxx, now my message, then you end with telling it "end of" color and typeface. Sounds technical, but it's not hard once you get the hang of it.
Give it a go~~
P.S. AS A GOOD FAITH MEASURE, I'M MAKING MY EMAIL ADDRESS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE AGAIN.... THAT IS YOU CAN EMAIL ME FROM MY NAME LINK NOW.... I STILL HAVE THE SECURITY OF ANOYOMITY UNTIL I REPLY, BUT I ENJOY FROM HEARING FROM THOSE OF YOU WITH PERSONAL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS!!! TRUST AND FAITH!!! |
| Clare |
Posted - Oct 28 2004 : 07:14:04 AM
  Lorij you are TOO funny! Hope the air clears there for you soon! |
| Clare |
Posted - Oct 28 2004 : 06:53:33 AM
The Nigerian email transpired from a "Member" of this website, via the "email function". They do not know our email addresses unless we reply to them.
I have alerted Sarah and Kim and I know HiDez gal has alerted MaryJane. I asked Kim to HELP! because she's the only farm member who has posted recently.
Regarding cookies from this website. Every website has cookies. We have "allowed" them because we have registered and are members of this website. You should be NOT be shocked to find those stored on your computer, especially if you have clicked on "remember" my password. Let's not panic about this... and give them time to respond and perhaps to upgrade if that is within their capability. Everybody take a deep breath!!!!! AHHHHH! Yes.
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
| Eileen |
Posted - Oct 27 2004 : 6:45:16 PM
Just talked to my computer guru son in Iowa about this problem. He told me to call MJ and alert them to the problem via phone so that they can contact the person who set up this forum for them. He said that if a large number of us are receiving these type of e-mail that the forum webb site itself does not have a powerful enough fire wall and it needs to be upgraded. He feels that someone has likely hacked into the webb site and gotten hold of the e-mail addresses.
Perhaps each of us could e-mail Sara about what we have received. I have only gotten the nigerian request for money but not the xxx stuf.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Oct 27 2004 : 5:53:27 PM
Has anyone seen/read a response from Sourjayne or the MJF staff pertaining to this problem?
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
| Eileen |
Posted - Oct 27 2004 : 5:52:57 PM
We use Norton system works and do daily updates on protection. Also have a spybot program that we use every few days. When I got the letter asking for personal info and money I forwarded it to my e-mail server at Abuse@ (the name of my server) .com. They do follow up on people who are sending out this &*^%$^&&^%$#@@!*)()(*!
I learned to never download my e-mail until I had first downloaded my updates for Norton. You can go into internet options on your computers and change your settings to disallow certain cookies as well as set your e-mail up to the highest security by going to tools on your task bar and selecting internet options then selecting security. It will bring up a window that gives you options to choose from. This should help you avoid the xxx e-mails.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| bramble |
Posted - Oct 27 2004 : 10:33:36 AM
Just to let you all know we were not immune either. Computer was running slow last night so we checked and there was all this BAD STUFF
(along the lines of Cecelia's) clogging up the works . Seems that since they couldn't find a way in directly through our mail filtering system they found a loop hole somewhere and were dumping this stuff into out temporary files. Hopefully installation of another form of protection will stop that, but if we don't visit these sites why do these sick people send it to us? A few seemed MJF related , but I will not elaborate. Just disgusting, sad and very scary. One of them used my first name and I NEVER use my real name online. Be careful everyone, it's creepy. Bramble
with a happy heart |
| cecelia |
Posted - Oct 25 2004 : 7:11:43 PM
I haven't gotten any such emails lately (i.e. in the past 2 weeks), but I simply don't open any email if I don't recognize the sender - I just delete it without opening it. I figure if it's from a legit source they can reach me again, or by some other means.
Cecelia
ce's farm
"Curiosity is one of the forms of feminine bravery" Victor Hugo |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Oct 24 2004 : 9:10:17 PM
I got one today too...I feel, like Idahospud that I hate to take my email address off and lose the nice emails..but I wonder if there is an option.
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Oct 24 2004 : 7:00:52 PM
Dear Friends -
These foreign emails blantantly asking for money or account numbers have been around quite a while. When I was still working at the ad agency (2 years ago) we would receive them on our office computers, and that was with a pretty good filtering system in place. They are relatively harmless as long as you do not formally open them or heaven forbid, reply. I set my email so that I can view the content of the messages without them actually being open; then I can delete things immediately. See if you can set your email options in this way.
We can still enjoy each other's posts, and continue to share here as always, I hope.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
| bramble |
Posted - Oct 24 2004 : 5:35:57 PM
HI everyone! Just wanted to say that so far I have not gotten any strange emails but we have our filter set for contacts only. Also I did not post the email adress on the profile or use my real name (just my nickname!) So far so good and those of you that have emailed me through the forum have been forwarded to me so that until I answer you my email adress remains unknown to you.Atleast that's one way to screen and weed out the non-farm girls & guys. Probably not foolproof but atleast a little safer. Hope that helps,it just makes me sad that people make conscious decisions to take the wrong path and for what?
Here's hoping we continue on in our sharing and open format but keep safe as well! This is such a nice place to be , it would be a shame to have it spoiled ! Bramble
with a happy heart |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Oct 24 2004 : 4:39:23 PM
I recieved the same email also,It is sad it comes to this.
Alicia
Follow your dreams |
| Clare |
Posted - Oct 24 2004 : 2:31:39 PM
I too have received nice emails...from real 'farmgirls'...but for my own protection, until something better is offered security wise, I've made my email address non-reachable... so if any of you would like to contact me... I guess post it as a request and we can work something out.....
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
| Idahospud |
Posted - Oct 24 2004 : 1:06:25 PM
Yep, I just got one today, too. How irritating! I hate to remove my email address as I have gotten some nice mail from some FarmGirls, but I don't want the spammers, either. |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Oct 24 2004 : 12:46:37 PM
Maybe Sarah and others who run and own this site could report the Nigerians to the State of Idaho Attorney General. This sounds like criminal activity to me.
Time Flies |
| sleepless reader |
Posted - Oct 24 2004 : 12:20:38 PM
Thanks for the information, I have updated my profile. Have any of you received email from muyiwagta (or something like that) asking to help open a bank account?? I hate that people barge into a forum like this for their own (devious) purposes. Be aware, I guess.
Sharon |
| Clare |
Posted - Oct 24 2004 : 11:28:35 AM
I got the Tony guy,from Nigeria one today too... jeepers. Here we are a bunch of farmgirls who just want to communicate freely and we've got the spammers and the wierdos infiltrating. UGGGG!!!!!!
P.S. I altered Sarah (sourjayne) about it....hopefully we have more security options...
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Oct 24 2004 : 10:58:45 AM
I took my email off my profile when all this creepy stuff started. Some people just have too much time on their hands. They must be pitiful.
Time Flies |
| ElizArtist |
Posted - Oct 24 2004 : 10:07:11 AM
I have a question too. I just got one of those funny emails from the farm connection about someone in Africa blah, blah, blah wanting help. How do you report these things? I know it is some kind of trick. They were asking for personal information etc, I'm really not that dumb. Why are people so bad? Elizabeth
joyously dancing through life |
