I recently came across spam that was offering “Google Earth 2008”. In case you don’t know, Google Earth is a free beta product by Google that lets you view satellite images of our planet, probably including a view of your own rooftop. <\/p>\n
“Why would someone other than Google promote Google Earth, a product that makes no money?” I asked myself. A little digging soon provided the answer: It’s a scam.<\/p>\n
If you search for “Google Earth 2008”, the peculiar product name used by these people, you will not find it on any website owned by Google: There is no product called “Google Earth 2008” by Google. Unlike Microsoft, Google does not include year numbers in any of its product names. The official name of the real product is “Google Earth beta” (there are also Pro and Plus versions, which are not free).<\/p>\n
The links in the spam email take you to “ Other domains used with this scam: By the way, you can get the real Google Earth beta download for free at http:\/\/earth.google.com<\/a> and it’s a great product. <\/p>\n Sample spam:<\/p>\n Secret Images from Space. Real Photos from a Orbiting Satellite.<\/p>\n Go here to watch video <\/p>\n Search and find different star constellations. Explore the universe & our galaxy here<\/p>\n Find your way around town – Search schools, parks, restaurants, & hotels. Also included, driving directions. Go here to visit website<\/p>\n Have a Great Earth Day!<\/p>\n Thank you for your interest, To unsubscribe from onlineproducts-now.com’s list, you may click on the link below: http:\/\/onlineproducts-now.com\/uns.php?c=isolutions2&m=somenumber&e=emailaddress <\/p>\n Plaza Neptuno, local #7 Update 2008-06-15:<\/strong> Example email:<\/p>\n Cable & Satellite bills are becoming more and more expensive these days. What if I were to tell you that there is a TV to PC product which offers you thousands of channels and does not charge you a monthly rate?<\/p>\n http:\/\/live-tvnet.com<\/p>\n Online TV Networks is an easy-to-use computer program that legally accesses thousands of television channels from all over the world and sends them to your computer through the internet!<\/p>\n Have you recently missed any of your favorite shows? With our Satellite TV to PC software you can get right back on track and pick up where you left off.<\/p>\n Never miss a show again!<\/p>\n http:\/\/live-tvnet.com<\/p>\n No cable box or TV card is needed. There are no reoccurring charges.<\/p>\n Are you out of the loop on current events from around the world? Have you been following the election and other political news? Now you can on your own time and at your own pace. Watch TV when you want to.<\/p>\n The Most Watched TV Shows Online:<\/p>\n Lost http:\/\/live-tvnet.com<\/p>\n Enjoy News, Sports, Weather, Educational Broadcasting, Children Channels, Home & Gardening, Cooking, Shopping & a wide range of multimedia content.<\/p>\n Watch all of your favorite shows, with satellite television on your computer!<\/p>\n Enjoy,<\/p>\n Steven Mathews To unsubscribe from onlinetec-help.net’s list, you may click on the link below: Domains used: And a video download version:<\/p>\n New anticipated summer releases for this weekend Weekend Premier: You Don’t Mess with the Zohan Kung Fu Panda Here are the current top movies at the box office:<\/p>\n Sex and the City Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull- The Strangers Iron Man Here’s our picks for the newest released DVD’s of this week:<\/p>\n Rambo, The Golden Compass, 27 Dresses, Paranormal State – Season 1, Cloverfield<\/p>\n Thank you for your interest,<\/p>\n Steven Nantel To unsubscribe from newonline-vds.net’s list, you may click on the link below: Plaza Neptuno, local #7 UPDATE (2008-10-23):<\/strong><\/p>\n They’re running the same scam with OpenOffice (a great product that is free software):<\/p>\n Open Office Suite 2009 Download Office Suite 2009??Here<\/p>\n Edit Word, Excel & Power Point files- 100% MS Office Compatible. Here’s how to download Open Office 2009: <\/p>\n 1. Go to: Download Page This software package is the best way to edit your documents. Thank you for choosing us, the worldwide leader in Open Office 2009.<\/p>\n For More Information Visit our Website<\/p>\n Thank You,<\/p>\n David Matthews The domain used is I recently came across spam that was offering “Google Earth 2008”. In case you don’t know, Google Earth is a free beta product by Google that lets you view satellite images of our planet, probably including a view of your … Continue reading new--features.net<\/code>” and “now--official.com<\/code>“, which have no connection to Google. Both had only just been registered. Clicking on these links will take you to “instant-access.org<\/code>” and on to “secure.signupsecurity.com<\/code>” where you get a choice of several subscription plans, ranging from one year at $2.49 per month to three years at $12.97 per year — for downloading a free product that these people don’t even own the copyright to! If you read the small print you’ll find that you’re buying technical support for a free product that basically doesn’t need any support.<\/p>\nearth-2008-online.com<\/code>, mysoftwareprovider.com<\/code>, googleearth.2008-download-now.com<\/code>, googleearth-now.com<\/code>, googleearth.downloading-now.com<\/code>, googleearth.2008-new.com<\/code>, googleearth.current-version.com<\/code>, dailylifeinfo.com<\/code>, earthvideos.net<\/code>, dailyfeedback-online.com<\/code>.<\/p>\n
\nLocate and find comets, asteroids and other heavenly bodies.
\nA new perspective from our tiny planet.<\/p>\n
\nSearchable geographic maps – Search and then zoom in! Save and share your searches with your family and friends.
\nView in 3D and 2D – View the entire world in 3D! Tilt and rotate 3D terrain and buildings.<\/p>\n
\nSteven Nantel
\nSales VP<\/p>\n
\nVia Vicardo J Alfaro, Tumba Muerto
\nPanama Ciudad
\nRepublica de Panama\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nThe same people also run a scam in which they promise you can watch 3000 TV channels on your PC. When you sign up and pay a $19.95 “activation and software fee” (and various subscription fees on top) they apparently send you to a website to download LimeWire and Kazaa. <\/p>\n
\nWhy pay high monthly fees to watch TV?<\/p>\n
\nFamily Guy
\nOne Tree Hill
\nNaruto
\nHouse<\/p>\n
\nCustomer Relations
\nhttp:\/\/live-tvnet.com<\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/onlinetec-help.net\/uns.php?c=isolutions3&m=bignumber<\/em>&e=emailaddress<\/em>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nlive-tvnet.com<\/code>, onlinetec-help.net<\/code>, liveonlinedata.com<\/code>
\nnewonline-vds.net<\/p>\n
\nDon’t forget the popcorn!<\/p>\n
\nThe Incredible Hulk (Action\/Fantasy)
\nFugitive Dr. Bruce Banner must utilize the genetic accident that transforms him into a giant, rampaging hulk to stop a former soldier that purposely becomes an even more dangerous version.<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/mymovies-now.com\/<\/code><\/p>\n
\nAdam Sandler stars in this new film about a Mossad agent fakes his death so he can re-emerge in New York City as a hair stylist.<\/p>\n
\nPo the Panda is the laziest animals in all of the Valley of Peace, but unwittingly becomes the chosen one when enemies threaten their way of life.<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/mymovies-now.com\/<\/code><\/p>\n
\nCarrie Bradshaw returns with her friends in the much-awaited film version of the hit TV series.<\/p>\n
\nFamed archaeologist Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones is called back into action when he becomes entangled in a Soviet plot to uncover the secret behind mysterious artifacts known as the Crystal Skulls.<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/mymovies-now.com\/<\/code><\/p>\n
\nA young couple staying in an isolated vacation home are terrorized by three unknown assailants.<\/p>\n
\nWhen wealthy industrialist Tony Stark is forced to build an armored suit after a life-threatening incident, he decides to use its technology to fight against evil.<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/mymovies-now.com\/<\/code><\/p>\nhttp:\/\/mymovies-now.com\/<\/code><\/p>\n
\nSales VP<\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/newonline-vds.net\/uns.php?c=isolutions2&m=bignumber<\/em>&e=emailaddress<\/em><\/p>\n
\nVia Vicardo J Alfaro, Tumba Muerto
\nPanama Ciudad
\nRepublica de Panama<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nmymovies-now.com<\/code><\/p>\n
\nOpen, Create & Edit Your Files<\/p>\n
\nRead and write PDF files just like Adobe.<\/p>\n
\n2. Download Open Office 2009
\n3. Receive access immediately<\/p>\n
\nPublish all of your documents online in the HTML format.<\/p>\n
\nOffice Solutions\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\ndaily-product--info.net<\/code>, one of many spam domains hosted at 89.149.224.86 and 67.209.150.34 that are used for this scam.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"