"How do spammers get my email address?"
Spam mailing lists are created in a variety of ways, including scanning newsgroups, buying Internet mailing lists, searching the Web for addresses, and even just guessing e-mail addresses at random. If you use e-mail, chances are you're going to receive spam.
Although you should be careful of where you post your e-mail address (for example, on Web sites, in newsgroup posts, and when chatting), sometimes you'll end up on a list without exposing your e-mail address whatsoever.
Most common these days are "dictionary attacks". A dictionary attack utilizes software that opens a connection to the target mail server and then rapidly submits millions of random e-mail addresses. Many of these addresses have slight variations, such as "jdoe1@hotmail.com" and "jdoe2@hotmail.com." The software then records which addresses are "live" and adds the addresses to the spammers list.
Phishing E-mail Information
"Phishing is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication."
Legitimate organizations, including Stony Brook Medicine and Stony Brook University DO NOT request User Name or Password information via E-mail.
FRAUDULENT E-MAIL ALERT UPDATE: Latest Phishing Attempt
Users are asked to remain vigilant to the following fraudulent E-mail Phishing Attempt which is being widely reported.
**FOR YOUR INFORMATION, PLEASE REVIEW AN IMAGE OF THE PHISHING E-MAIL BELOW:
DO NOT reply to any E-mails of this nature with User Name and Password information.