Websites have been targeted

Along with a number of other reputable Internet companies our domain name is being used on forged email.

The forged email may contain one or more of these...

• Ojectionable or inflammatory content.
• An attachment containing a virus.
• A clickable link appearing to be directed to our web site, but in fact linked elsewhere.

What we do

Emails are easy to forge and can originate from any area in the world. It is not possible for us to stop these emails. However we do take proactive measures and work with the relevant police and other authorities. When the source can be identified we give active support to assist prosecution.

What we don't do

• We do not send unsolicited email.
• We do not pass email details to any third party.
• We never send emails containing an active script.
• We do not send emails containing an attachment unless the recipient is expecting it.
• We do not insert 'beacons' in emails or web pages.

What you should do

• If you receive an unexpected email from any source (including from our domain name) you should treat it with suspicion.
• If you receive an unexpected email from us or any other source do not open or run any attachment without first checking it.
• Never reply to a spam email. Do not visit a web site to have your name 'removed' from a mailing list (unless you are sure the domain is operated by a bona fide organisation) - you are just confirming your email to the spammer.
• If the email contains a link: Before clicking confirm the link points to the expected Internet domain. (You can view the link target on the bottom bar of the browser)
• Avoid opening HTML email from unknown sources. HTML email can contain a 'beacon' to let the spammer know you have received and opened the email. More spam will surely follow.

How you can help

Here are a few simple rules to follow when sending email. Please review and follow them whenever possible. They apply when sending email to us and to any other recipient. If the rules were strictly followed by every correspondent then the spam and virus problem would be easier to manage.

Be specific in the Email Subject Line. If possible put something in the Subject line a spammer could not know. Avoid vague Subject Lines like 'My Email', 'Please Help', 'What can I do?'. Spammers often send batches of thousands of emails - they often use a vague subject which could apply to many diverse recipients.

Do not send Email Attachments unless they are expected. Almost all attachments could contain a virus. Some attachments cannot contain a virus but often tricks are used to disguise the real attachment type. In particular please do not send documents (.doc files) from Microsoft applications like Word where a safer alternative is available. (Convert the file to a .rtf file before transmission)

In our experience unexpected emails containing attachments of any of the following types are most likely to be viruses...

• .exe
• .com
• .bat
• .scr
• .wav
• .pif

Avoid HTML email- use plain text instead. HTML email can contain executable code and often contains 'beacons'. In fact this is one of the main reasons commercial spammers use HTML email. A beacon is a hidden link to a one pixel transparent image. The image itself does no harm but it is named so the server sending the image can identify which email it was in. In this way spammers can identify which email addresses are active. Beacons can ultimately identify other personal details about yourself and your location.