Spam is social engineering 101... unfortunately, most folks haven't taken that course.

Some of the most effective email based attacks rely on current events such as the credit crisis (mentioned above), natural disasters, and breaking celebrity information. Somehow we need to do a better job of helping society be on the lookout for the inevitable related attacks.

The paradigm has shifted. Whereas postal mail is largely trustworthy, electronic mail is not to afforded the same status. Unfortunately, we all know many people that take at face value anything sent to them by an acquaintence or even a total stranger!

Perhaps if news organizations would make a point of warning people to be on the lookout for hoaxes or phishing attacks related to <insert event here> after their segment. It sure would go a long way towards solving the problem.

Click to read the article this is in response to.