On this episode of Spark: Spam, scams, and holiday sentiments. Click below to listen, or download this episode as an MP3 (runs ~54:00).
Play audio:
- The Spark community weighs in on eCards and the hierarchy of holiday sentiments
- Clancy Delbarre (Gift Packaging & Greeting Card Association of Canada) and Barbara Miller (Greeting Card Association) explain the impact of eCards on the paper and ink card business
- David Jevans from the Anti-Phishing Working Group explains how to avoid holiday eCard scams
- Finn Brunton researches the unintended consequences of spam (full interview)
- Nora mentions social-media-organized charities HOHOTO and UEnd:
- Grammar Girl Mignon Fogarty demystifies holiday grammar
- Steve Rubel lists Ten Common Phrases That Could Soon Be History
- Lianne Raymond investigates techdropping, a modern faux pas that combines technology and eavesdropping
- Grant McCracken makes the case for the Chief Culture Officer
This episode features Creative Commons music and sound effects:
- “Something” by airtone
- Countdown by Corsica_S
- “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter” by the Boswell Sisters (1936)
- “Trampoline Girl” by Windom Earle
- “Naughty Hula Eyes” by Andy Iona
- “winterSunlight (airtoneMix)” by airtone
- “Curious Process” by Chad Crouch
- “Ambient-M (2003)” by Antony Raijekov
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For more information (and instructions) visit cbc.ca/podcasting
[Original image by frozenchipmunk]
David Jevans gives some of the worst advice: “If you get an e-card that says ‘David Jevans’ in the From field, then it’s probably from me”.
Wrong, wrong, wrong.
That’s exactly how phishing and “Joe Jobs” work. There is malware that infects computers and does nothing but collect e-mail addresses from the inbox, the sent items, the browser cache, and every other nook and cranny on the hard drive. These collected addresses are used not only for the To fields, but also to create falsified From fields. The malware may not be infecting your computer, but your cousin’s. Your cousin has both your e-mail address and your mom’s, so the “Joe Job” e-mail is addressed to you, apparently from your mom. But in reality, it contains malware, or links that take you to infected sites.
Wikipedia has an article on Joe Jobs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_job
David Jevan also says: “There’s no 100% effective way to protect yourself from electronic greeting cards.” Wrong again, you can simply delete them all. Don’t even open them. Configure your anti-spam software so that they don’t even appear in your inbox.
And if your mom asks how you liked her e-card, explain that you love her, but you’re not willing to risk getting infected from some Joe pretending to be her.
–Bob.
1. canadahelps.org lists all the charities in Canada and offers the opportunity to make a donation for someone, such as Aunt Mary and then that person (Aunt Mary) will direct the donation to the charity of her choice. It is possible to make a large donation at this site, spread the funds to several charities then one tax reciept will be isssued.
2. Please have the Grammer Lady discuss the proper use of "pretty". When used as "pretty bad" or "pretty ugly" or…. it is an oxymoron. I hear CBC announcers making this mistake every day.
Thanks for the suggestion, Sharon. As far as I know, "pretty" is often (correctly) used as an adverb, meaning "considerable" or "somewhat."
Do a few rotten apples really spoil the bunch? Here's one eCard service that has nothing but positive intentions. Really! I created it as a way to use my photography and the motivational quotes I collect to help people connect and share positive energy. Yes, I'm an eternal optimist and I see the world through rose coloured glasses…
WisdomalaCarte cards are personal, not cookie-cutter, because you create them yourself: you choose a photo, select a quote then add your own short thought, as simple as “thank you for your business” or “great job on that report”. Then send.
The result? You let someone know you care in a way that stands out, in a way that connects with impact, because it appeals to the visual and kinesthetic as well as the verbal. You will build a relationship. And you energize yourself. What goes around comes around. See an example at http://wisdomalacarte.com/home.asp