Criminals target auto-reply
People are being advised to be careful of what they include in email auto-reply messages, as 'criminals' are using them to find out who's away on holiday. According to the findings of a report by The Corporate IT Forum, Web-wise criminals are buying up email address lists that are easily available on the Internet and then sending bulk emails in the hope of getting 'out of office' replies.
They are then cross-matching the information received with phone
directories and other such lists to track down the addresses of people
whose replies reveal when they are on holiday.
Particularly vulnerable are people with unusual names or who live in
small towns, as they are easier to track down.
The report recommends that when you set up an auto-reply, you keep the
information down to a minimum and use non-committal phrases such as
'out of the office on business' or 'currently unable to deal with this
query'. You should provide an alternative contact, but never give out
personal contact details.
Don't rely upon the auto-reply to inform key contacts of your absence,
let them know in advance.
Most importantly never say that you are on holiday, out of the country
or away between certain dates and never set 'away' messages on personal
and home email accounts.