Newsgroups, Listservs, Chats & Phishing Electronic Writing & Publishing
What is a Newsgroup? Traditionally: part of the usenet news system Now: –Article-based electronic “newsletter” or –A topic-based discussion forum or –Still part of the usenet news system, with hierarchies based on topic (soc, alt, comp, talk) –Accessed/received via , website (often requiring login), or a newsreader –Topics can be almost anything
Where can I find Newsgroups? Goggle Groups search: beta.google.com/ beta.google.com/ Newzbot: FAQ on usenet newsgroups: Brief intro to newsgroups with a selection of newsgroups:
What is a Listserv? An electronic mailing list for discussion –often topic based A public forum or community Requires a subscription (usually easy to obtain by sending an to the listserv address) Messages sent to all members Available: sent to inbox, digest form, online
How a Listserv works Image from Tri-Service Toxicology Consortium
Where can I find Listservs? Catalogue of listservs with a search: Use a search engine (google, yahoo,…) and search for your topic and listserv [Example search: cats listserv] Look up professional organizations in your field. Many should have listserv For more info, including how to join & hints of being part of a listserv: – – stserv.htmhttp:// stserv.htm
What is Chat? Synchronous online communication Usually between just two people & fairly short Various “types” –Instant messaging (IM) –AOL Instant Messenger (AOL IM) –ICQ (“I seek you”) –Yahoo Chat (Y!) –IRC: not owned by a company, requires client program Universal clients available that allow you access several chat types at the same time (Trillian, Zango,…)
Examples of Chat Interfaces Example chat window Example interface
Phishing “crackers” send fraudulent s “from” a trustworthy source to lure victims to give up sensitive info (such as passwords, account numbers, credit card numbers, and the such), often require people to log in at fake sites and in the process giving the info to the phishers, often use scare tactics to get people “hooked” –Examples: s from a bank asking for account info, from ebay wanting info –Started on AOL –DO NoT follow the –DO NOT use the url in the –if unsure go to the real website type in the URL yourself orcall the company Most companies want you to send any phishing your received “from” them to them
Phishing Example
The End