While I am a Reverend 24/7, I do have a day job. Something to pay the bills. God's work is incredible, but it doesn't always put food on the table. Every now and then, some interesting things happen at the office. My "Office Memos" section will highlight these anecdotes.
We'll start with this interesting tidbit received in email today from our department's "computer guy" (emphasis, and removal of incriminating names mine).
"PLEASE: forward or print this information to give to co-workers.
[computer dude] here:
Attn: [some acronym for our department that I didn't know existed] I have had several call today in reference to email received by unknown sender or unexpected email with attachments. Just as a Precaution, phone that person or [instant message] them about the email, if no response or they did not send you an email Please Delete it !!!. It is better to play on the side of caution than to face a virus that clears your hard drive. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call me @ [extention]..later [computer dude]"
Um…. what?
First of all, you sent this to all of my co-workers. That's what it means when you email the entire department. And, if by some mystery someone didn't get it, I certianly wouldn't print it out and hand it to them. That's why we have computers, computer dude.
Secondly, if the email was received from an "unknown sender", how could I possibly call them.
Thirdly, almost all email is unexpected.
Fourthly, in many cases I wont know if the email is unexpected or has attachments until I open it. Therefore, by the time I call them to verify that they did send it, the email has been opened already.
Fifthly, I get lots of "unexpected email" from "unknown senders". Should I really verify all of them? The email you sent me was unexpected… should I call you and make sure you sent it?
Finally, if opening a single piece of malicious email can clear my harddrive, then I think the email client should be considered a greater harm than the virus it is possibly installing.
