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1. Also known as a chain letter, a
chain mail is a forwarded e-mail sent unbeknown to e-mail
contacts containing false information and/or a myth because of
sympathy or a scare. Below are two fake examples of common types of
chain mails.
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Example one:
Dear all,
This e-mail contains
information about sick or dying individual. Please forward this e-mail
to as many people as possible. This large company or organization will
donate a money amount for each e-mail address that this e-mail is sent
to.
Sincerely,
Important person
Example two:
Dear all,
Please be aware of a
major news story, political event, disaster, disease, miracle,
product, or other type of warning. Please forward this to everyone you
know to help them or warn them about the above article.
Example
three:
Dear all,
<popular or well
known company, e.g. Microsoft> is giving away money, having a
lottery, sending prizes, etc. to all people who you forward this
e-mail to.
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The first example helps play on an individuals sympathy. While
the information about the sick or dying individual may or may not be
true, there is no way for a company to track an e-mail after it has
been sent or forwarded.
Equally as common is the second example: a large myth or scare is
sent out, and because this scare or myth is so significant or
frightening, the individual receiving the e-mail feels that it is
necessary to forward it to all. A good practice is if the
mail sounds so unbelievable or frightening, yet you have not seen or
heard any mention of it on reputable news sources, it is likely it is
not true and you should not forward it to everyone; even if the e-mail claims
that it is some cover-up or conspiracy.
Overall, a chain mail is a form of spam and in some
cases is used to grab individuals' e-mail addresses for spam. Therefore, as
a kindness to all your contacts in e-mail, do not forward
these types of e-mails and instead simply delete it.
2. When referring to a game or armor, the term chainmail
is used to describe a type of armor that is made by connecting a
series of small rings together. Chainmail is commonly more
protective than ringmail armor.
Also see: E-mail, Game
definitions, Phishing, Security definitions,
Spam
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