Sunday, March 30, 2008

Roadrunner Users, Beware!

This really isn't what I wanted to post after a nice long Easter weekend, but I felt it important to pass the word along. I received the following email yesterday (thankfully in my junk mail box) and after some follow-up with Roadrunner, found it to be a false email. Check this out:


"Dear valued customer,

We are currently performing maintenance for our
Digital Webmail Customers. We intend upgrading
our Digital Webmail Security Server for better online
services.

In order to ensure you do not experience service
interruption, Please you must reply to this email
immediately and enter your password here (********)
and Check out your new features and enhancements with
your new and improved roadrunner account,to enable
us upgrade your Account for better online services
please reply to this email.

Thank You for Using RoadRunner. "


The first thing that clued me in that something strange was afoot
at the Circle K (a "Bill & Ted" reference, in case you're wondering)
is the fact that they asked for my password. The next thing that
caused
me concern was the way it was written. I'm a grammar/
spelling nut
so the capitalizations in the middle of a sentence
--one big, long, run-on
sentence at that!!!-- as well as "to enable
us upgrade" said to me that
this was probably not sent out by
Roadrunner.


I called and spoke with Mike with Roadrunner Tech Support
about
the email, and it struck him as odd that the email
service was referred
to as "digital webmail". Email is indeed
digital, but it's never referred to
as such. He also reminded
me that Roadrunner will NEVER ask for my password.

Finally, he asked about some things in the email header
(which, being
a techno moron, took me a minute to find),
and we found that even though
this was "sent" from
"support@roadrunner.com", the reply-to email address

was a Yahoo address. So I copied and pasted the email
and sent it to the
abuse centers at both Roadrunner and
Yahoo. I have not heard back from
Yahoo, but here is
what Roadrunner had to say:


"This message did not originate from RoadRunner
and is actively being
dealt with by the Security
team. Please do not provide your account
information to these sites. If you have, contact
your local office to
reset your account information.

For additional general security information, please
visit Help and
Member Services, Security and Abuse Help.

RoadRunner also has a security software package
available called CA
Internet Security Suite, which
\contains an Antivirus, Firewall with
pop-up blocker,
Anti-Spam, and Anti-Spyware. This can be accessed
on the
RoadRunner homepage, by selecting the RR
Benefits link on the menu at
the left-hand side.
You can then follow the steps for downloading and
installing the software.

Note: If your credit card information is
compromised while using the
Internet, contact
your credit card company immediately. Each
company has
specific policies regarding online
theft and fraud. Please contact them
directly
for more information.



Thank you for taking the time to contact
Road Runner.


- Road Runner Abuse [CL]"


So there you have it, sports fans. If you have Roadrunner and
get this email (or one similar), don't answer it. Get in touch
with the abuse center (security@rr.com) so they can put a
stop to the deviants who do this kind of thing.

**************************************************

On a lighter note, I just finished book #3 from Sharlene MacLaren's
Little Hickman Creek series. FABULOUS!!!!!! It was so good it
inspired me to write a little bit of poetry for Shar. I will share
it with you now:


An Ode for Shar
(with apologies to Clement C. Moore)

'Twas the weekend of Easter
And all through our home,
Only our cat stirred,
Being left all alone
(but in the good care of a neighbor!).

We had packed our car full
And headed four hours south
To Port Aransas, Texas
To hook something with a large mouth.

Our friends Dan and Cheryl
Had come in from Big D.
We fished, we sunned,
And we laughed heartily.

Upon our return,
On my porch what I saw
Was a package delivered
And meant just for MOI!

OH GOODIE! I thought
As I picked up the box.
It’s the books that I ordered,
And all were in stock!

With scissors I carefully
Cut open the tape.
I slowly opened the box,
My mouth all agape.

A light from inside
Of the box did glow.
Angels from heaven sang “AAAHHHH!”
As they looked on below.

IT’S THE BOOK I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR!
I thought with delight.
“Courting Emma”, its name,
And I started that night.

A few days and interruptions later
I finished with a sigh.
Another happy ending!
Oh my my my my!!!!

She’s done it again,
I thought about Shar.
Yet another fabulous story,
Her best one so far.

And at the end another teaser!
“Hannah Grace” is its title.
A very busy author,
Hardly ever idle.

But another long wait?
2009????
Back to “Emma”, I guess,
It was, after all, SO DIVINE!

I plan to give more details about the whole Little Hickman
series later, but if you get the chance to read these books, jump
at it!!! Sharlene gets better and better with each book she writes.
Great romance and ALWAYS a happy ending!


More soon! Hope you all are doing well.

9 comments:

Becky said...

Good detective work, Katybug!

I'm going to have to get out there and get those books...they sound really good.

Sounds like you had a wonderful Easter weekend!

SHARLENE said...

KATY!!!!!! Again, I have to tell you I LOVE my poem! And it is my poem -- all mine -- 'cause you wrote it in my honor. (It's printed and tucked in my files!) That is the only time anyone has EVER done that, written a poem for me. I'm going to have to write one for you one of these days. Let's see, as I just said in my Email to you, it's after midnight, but I'm in the mood to scribble something now. Okay, here goes...

Katy, Katy, Katybug
I'd love to wrap you in a hug.
Your humor always brings me smiles
To hug you now, I'd walk ten miles.

Sorry, that's as good as it gets at 12:26 AM.

Love and Hugs,
Shar

Shauna said...

I've never heard of this series or this author. But you haven't steered me wrong yet, so I'll give them a try. I just need to put them on my wish list on my NEW ChristianBooks.com account. ;-)

The Daily Bee said...

I've been wanting to read Sharlene's books since she showed up at Dee's. This one sounds so good... I am on way to look it up. (good poem btw)

Katybug said...

Hi, Becky! I have heard about these types of emails and how realistic they are. I must admit this one threw me at first, but after thinking about it for a few minutes I knew better. Our Easter weekend was great. I had hoped that would be the topic of this post, but I'm still getting pictures together to show you all. This week, I hope. :-)

Shar, you are awesome! I love the poem!!! I'm going to hold you to that hug one of these days. :-)

Shauna, Shar makes occasional posts on Dee's blog...that's how I found her. You really will love her books!!!

Hey Deb! Be sure to read the series in order. Shar wrote them all well enough that each could be a stand-alone book, but you'll get more from books 2 & 3 if you start with #1, "Loving Liza Jane". How is "Chocolate Beach" going for you?

Jenster said...

The poetry here is fabulous!! Both yours and Shar's!

You always make me giggle!!!

Katybug said...

HEY JENSTER!!! I've been lurking around your blog...pretty tired of late. Can't imagine why??? ;-) Your puppy is so cute!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi katybug!
I came across your website today! Thanks for getting the word out for Sharlene and her books.
I am her publicist!

p.s. Shar has a stand-alone-book coming out in October. It's called "Long Journey Home"

Katybug said...

Hey Joy! Thanks for popping in! While I am working on a post about the Little Hickman series for my blog, I have posted a review on Amazon, Christianbooks.com and Barnes & Noble for "Emma" in the meantime. I did see "Long Journey Home" on Shar's website, and you can rest assured that I will be standing in line to get that one too!!! I've read almost all of Shar's books ("Spring's Promise" is the only one I've missed) and loved every one of them. If you haven't seen my post about my favorite authors, check it out...Shar's on the list!