Here's how it works. You might receive a phone call from a representative of your computer company claiming there is a problem which requires immediate attention. He may offer to come right over and fix it (or, in a variation, he might send you a disk in mail). Of course, while he is there, he reboots your system with a "diagnostic" floppy inserted into drive. When "tests" are done you will be relieved to find out from him that nothing is wrong with your system. Naturally, you were just infected with a Trojan house which gives this stranger complete access to your system and all of your data files.

A more common social engineering scheme (especially on America Online) is to send out an email which says there is a problem with your account. Would you please send your username and password by return email so it can be fixed? Or perhaps you are asked to visit a web site, which naturally requires you to log in with your username and password. You might be asked to call a phone number, where very official sounding person on other end will just want to verify that your account is yours by getting your credit card data.

An example of a standard social engineering attack is shown below.

From: Security@yourISP.Com To: taylorwayne@yourISP.Com Subject: Account Compromised

We have detected a major security breach to several accounts on our network. While we do not believe that your account was among those compromised by hackers, we recommend that you check your account data immediately.

To verify your account, just visit following URL:

http://www.yourISP.Com/security/view.htm

Admittedly this column is not about disabilities. However I think it is important and relevant since it is about a problem that seems to prey on people with disABILITIES

Yours truly doesn't mean to imply that disabled people are only victims of scam artists. The truth is that this population is especially targeted. The reasons I believe are several. First many disabled people are on fixed incomes so appeal of getting rich quick may have some appeal. Second scammers assume that just because someone has a disability that they are an easy touch for them. Not assuming anything about gullibility. Please take this as a warning only. If you are skeptical already, great. More power to you

There are many scams on net. In essence, if it sound too good to be true, it almost always is One warning sign is if you have to pay money to get in, its a ripoff. Also if there's a time pressure or any other type of pressure that should be a sign to warn you too.

There is one particular scam that claims if you are willing to fly to Uganda and meet wife of former leader of Togo, you will get millions of dollars. This is an actual scam. For more information please go to home.rica.net/alphae/419.coal Many people have lost their live savings with this scam and even gotten in trouble with law. They are stranded in Togo with no help from Togolese govt. or their native country

Believe it or not, to coin a phrase, many people, too numerous to count have actually fallen for this foolish scheme. The illicit plan has been around for close to twenty years !!!

I know about this one because I received several of their emails. I can honestly say I did not fly to Togo and I was not a victim. I don't want you to be one either.