This happens all too often. You get forwarded an “Urban Legend” email like the one about Obama being the anti-Christ. One of the 500 people that have forwarded the thing (as attachments no less) has some spyware or adware running on their computer.
You think to yourself: “Self, now so-and-so would never send me anything bad.”
So you click the link or install the software attachment – and open Pandora’s box! Then it’s too late – the pop ups hit. The spam increases. All because you didn’t follow my simple rules. These are very similar to phishing schemes, except they don’t really try to hide the links. They rely on just a bit of social engineering. That’s all it takes.
Please be wary!