1Sucking the Gullible Into Scam-Spam
by Lisa Vaas; illustration by Brian Moore
2Sucking the Gullible Into Scam-Spam – Introduction
Just who are those saps who click on scam-spam come-ons? Look in the mirror: We are the enemy. McAfee teamed up with Dr. James Blascovich, professor of psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and co-director of the
3Sucking the Gullible Into Scam-Spam – Naivete regarding computers …
… or the methods of how legitimate companies and organizations conduct business, or both. This naivete occurs at both ends of the age spectrum, the researchers claim, with computer-savvy youth being na???ve to business practices, and
4Sucking the Gullible Into Scam-Spam – Motivation through the promise of pleasure or positive goals or outcomes.
Examples of this would be no-effort weight loss guarantees and cant-miss stock tips.
5Sucking the Gullible Into Scam-Spam – Motivation through danger/unpleasantness avoidance.
The danger of a compromised checking account or of leaving ones family destitute if one kicks off unexpectedly is enough to push some into the ranks of the gullible.
6Sucking the Gullible Into Scam-Spam – Motivation through a combination of pleasure and avoidance.
Cheap Viagra not only pumps up the pleasure principle but helps you avoid asking your doctor for a prescription.
7Sucking the Gullible Into Scam-Spam – Skepticism reduction via legitimacy.
Dropping a convincing detail goes a long way toward persuading the skeptical. For example, scammers pose as friends or colleagues, or as legitimate banks or credit card companies with which the target does business. Merely opening such e-mail can be enoug
8Sucking the Gullible Into Scam-Spam – Scammers use of authoritative detail.
Scam-spam using authoritative language such as Must Complete and Submit, Lost Credit Card or Your Unique Code can work on the gullible through legitimacy, familiarity and danger-prevention motivation.
9Sucking the Gullible Into Scam-Spam – Other ways to lull the gullible.
Other ways scam-spammers are successful include: familiarity (Is it you?); freebies (Unlimited Adobe Downloads); current affairs (Mothers Day, Valentines Day); emotion/love/loss (another wee
10Sucking the Gullible Into Scam-Spam – Getting less gullible.
McAfee recommends users do the following to starve the e-mail scam industry: • Dont unsubscribe from mail if you dont recognize the sender or company sending the mail. • Dont publish your e-mail address on any W
11Sucking the Gullible Into Scam-Spam
