[conspire] Creepy Web 2.0-service sales come-on

[Rick Moen]

Here's a verbatim example of something I talk about near the beginning
of http://linuxmafia.com/faq/Essays/winolj.html , my "Rick Moen 
INOLJ-OOW2.0C (Is Not On LiveJournal Or Other Web 2.0 Cults)" essay.
Maybe it's just me, but it strikes me as a pretty damned creepy
sales come-on.

I've altered the example to protect my friend's privacy, but imagine you
know Sam Jones, his mail addres, etc. reallly well.  Most people don't
view full SMTP headers, so it really does seem to be personal mail from
Sam, recommending an "interesting business tool".  He starts out with
"Rick," closes with "-- Sam", and the sender "From:" SMTP header is
_forged_ to use Sam's real e-mail address.

Note that latter point:  It uses some of the same forge-mail techniques
that the spammers use to hide themselves.  Only the (normally hidden)
Return-path envelope header and Received headers are valid.

Yes, Sam undoubtedly did in _some_ sense authorise the sending of this
"invitation" mail on his behalf -- but he sure as hell didn't write it
or send it from his personal e-mail address, as is falsely claimed.


----- Forwarded message from Sam Jones <sam at dnull.com> -----

Return-path: inv+HECrgxC9c5HxJg1k at bounce.linkedin.com
Envelope-to: rick at linuxmafia.com
Delivery-date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 02:32:01 -0800
Received: from mail05-a-ae.linkedin.com ([64.74.220.84]:13239)
	 by linuxmafia.com with esmtp   (Exim 4.54 #1 (EximConfig 2.0))
	 id 1EzAbX-0002Ns-1u   
	for <rick at linuxmafia.com>; Wed, 18 Jan 2006 02:32:00 -0800
Received: from bounce.linkedin.com (172.16.69.90)
  by mail05-a-ae.linkedin.com with ESMTP; 18 Jan 2006 02:31:38 -0800
Message-ID: <18710515.1137580296900.JavaMail.app at app05.prod>
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 02:31:36 -0800 (PST)
From: Sam Jones <sam at dnull.com>
To: Rick Moen <rick at linuxmafia.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Received-SPF: none (linuxmafia.com: domain of inv+HECrgxC9c5HxJg1k at bounce.linkedin.com does not designate permitted sender hosts)
Subject: Interesting Business Tool

Rick,

You're a person I'd recommend to others, so I'm inviting you to join my professional network on LinkedIn.

I'm using it to enhance my career and discover inside connections I didn't know I have. It's also interesting to watch my network grow as I make new connections.

Basic membership is free, and it takes about a minute to sign up and join my network.

- Sam

PS: Here is the link: 
https://www.linkedin.com/e/isd/12345539/Ku5_PqHK/

It is free to join and takes less than 60 seconds to sign up.

This is an exclusive invitation from Sam Jones to Rick Moen.  For security reasons, please do not forward this invitation.

----- End forwarded message -----