I think this is a serious problem and Microsoft needs to=20
actively pursure those parties who have started such fake=20
emails posing as Microsoft employees, and prosecute them=20
in court for fraud.
The following is copied from a spam I received (graphics=20
omitted, but were done exactly in co-ordination to MS's):
"Microsoft All Products | Support | Search | =20
Microsoft.com Guide =20
Microsoft Home =20
=20
MS Consumer
this is the latest version of security update,=20
the "September 2003, Cumulative Patch" update which fixes=20
all known security vulnerabilities affecting MS Internet=20
Explorer, MS Outlook and MS Outlook Express as well as=20
three newly discovered vulnerabilities. Install now to=20
continue keeping your computer secure from these=20
vulnerabilities, the most serious of which could allow an=20
attacker to run executable on your computer. This update=20
includes the functionality of all previously released=20
patches. =20
System requirements Windows 95/98/Me/2000/NT/XP=20
This update applies to MS Internet Explorer, version=20
4.01 and later
MS Outlook, version 8.00 and later
MS Outlook Express, version 4.01 and later =20
Recommendation Customers should install the patch at the=20
earliest opportunity.=20
How to install Run attached file. Choose Yes on displayed=20
dialog box.=20
How to use You don't need to do anything after installing=20
this item.=20
Microsoft Product Support Services and Knowledge Base=20
articles can be found on the Microsoft Technical Support=20
web site. For security-related information about Microsoft=20
products, please visit the Microsoft Security Advisor web=20
site, or Contact Us.=20
Thank you for using Microsoft products.
Please do not reply to this message. It was sent from an=20
unmonitored e-mail address and we are unable to respond to=20
any replies.
-----------------------------------------------------------
---------------------
The names of the actual companies and products mentioned=20
herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. =20
Contact Us | Legal | TRUSTe =20
=A92003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms=20
of Use | Privacy Statement | Accessibility =20
Attachment =20
=20
=20
=20
=20
INSTALL98.exe
.exe file"
Luckily, I didn't open the file. But this is unacceptable,=20
if it continues (people have done it with ebay already)=20
then we will never know when any email is secure and=20
actualy from the company who it says its from.