Google did a favor for Gmail users worldwide when it added support for non-Latin characters in email addresses. However, it also opened up a can of worms -- scammers can write from addresses that seem legitimate, but are really using non-native letters to (potentially) fool you into trusting a message's contents. Thankfully, the crew in Mountain View is already aware of the threat. Gmail now tosses out email with odd combinations of letters that are likely to represent phishing attempts, reducing the chances that you'll hand your account details to a "bɑnk" instead of your actual bank. The filtering relies on a Unicode standard, too, so you'll know the exact criteria Google is using. Other email providers will have to follow suit for the measure to really hit data thieves where it hurts, but this represents an important first step.
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In addition to this blog, I have authored the premiere book on Netiquette, "Netiquette IQ - A Comprehensive Guide to Improve, Enhance and Add Power to Your Email". You can view my profile, reviews of the book and content excerpts at:
www.amazon.com/author/paulbabicki
If you would like to listen to experts in all aspects of Netiquette and communication, try my radio show on BlogtalkRadio and an online newsletter via paper.li.I have established Netiquette discussion groups with Linkedin and Yahoo. I am also a member of the International Business Etiquette and Protocol Group and Minding Manners among others. I regularly consult for the Gerson Lehrman Group, a worldwide network of subject matter experts and I have been contributing to the blogs Everything Email and emailmonday . My work has appeared in numerous publications and I have presented to groups such as The Breakfast Club of NJ Rider University and PSG of Mercer County New Jersey.
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