Beware of spoofed email arriving from support@hostgator.com!

[GatorJustin]

There is an email circulating around that claims to be from support@hostgator.com, when in fact it is not from us.

The details are below. If you receive such an email, DO NOT open the attachment, as it contains a malicious file that could compromise the security of your computer and/or cause damage to files. In short, it is a virus.

The contents of the email are as follows, but may vary slightly:

Dear user of Hostgator.com,

Some of our clients complained about the spam (negative e-mail content)
outgoing from your e-mail account. Probably, you have been infected by
a proxy-relay trojan server. In order to keep your computer safe,
follow the instructions.

For more information see the attached file.

Attached file protected with the password for security reasons. Password is 41382.

The Management,
The Hostgator.com team
http://www.hostgator.com

Remember, if you receive this email DO NOT open te attachment. Delete it immediately and then remove it from your deleted items folder.

[BradCis]

Do you guys have any idea how they know HostGator's clients' emails?

[Cindy]

Thanks for warning us about this.

[programmer]

i've heard of the same thing happening with other companies. It strange, because some of the English isn't even totally correct.

Brandon

[97transam]

Yes... thanks for the heads up.

[esl]

Do you guys have any idea how they know HostGator's clients' emails?

Same question.

[hotdog]

I can answer the clients email question.

Answer: They don't

They just use a spam mailing list, am sure you have all had the silimar emails from ebay and banks, same deal, except this one is (could be) a trojan or worm.

Although HG's suport seems somewhat 'missing' or un informed at times if you're not expecting it, delete it or email hostgator (or post on here) asking if they sent it, as I doubt HG would actually tell us if they sent anything.

If in doubt, chuck it out

Number one rule for any website asking to confirm details, no matter how tiny
ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS check the title bar for the web address

[osirion]

Though I agree with hotdog, they could also easily browse the forums and get a list of quite a few clients (even though I havent received anything myself).