Of phishing emails and sms smishing

The Cape Argus (8th October 2009) and The Star (22th October 2009) newspapers carried stories about bank electronic fraud that is becoming increasingly worrisome to South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric). Fraudsters send either email messages or smses to randomly targeted bankers requiring personal information so that they may gain access to the bank accounts and "steal" their money. What caught my attention was the advice Sabric gave such as urging customers to ignore emails of those nature even though they read exactly like those coming from genuine banks. Another piece of advice from Sabric is never to respond to any sms requiring personal details. Rather call your bank.

What's intriguing about the pieces of advice is that, more often than not, when any customer get such correspondences the first thing on mind is 'let me act quickly before anything happens'. That will be panickingly responding to the email or sms only to regret it later when you go to your bank only to discover that you have been cleaned out! My word of caution therefore is let's think carefully before we act.

Latest on Bafana

Did you hear the latest developments on Bafana Bafana coaching situation? SAFA has dismissed the coach from the post yesterday because they are not convinced he is the right man to lead South African soccer into the World Cup next year as hosts. Apparently a new coach will be announced this Friday. In the meanwhile his assistants will be holding the fort. It is interesting that his technical team remain while he goes even though the logical thing will be to sack the whole bench because they all contributed to the teams performance. Has SAFA always been out for Santana's head? One wonders!

On My Mind

Sometimes I wonder how life works. Media reports are that inflation has been dropping in the recent months in South Africa but to my surprise basic groceries prices seem to be picking. I am missing something? Now I hear Eskom proposes to hike electricity charges by 45% in next three years. Things are not getting any better, are they?

Apologies

Good day Prof

I have not been able to neither attend the class today nor hand in hard copy of my assignment, but I have emailed it to you. Please check you mail for the assignment.

I am soory to have not come. I was held up by something so I didn't make it to class.

You student

Gosiame