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Fake service messages.

Fake Q Messages
These originate from users who attempt to impersonate Q by using confusing nicknames, and sending you the same text that Q normally sends you.

Here, we will present you with three examples of messages that you may receive while using QuakeNet. Two out of three will be fake, and one will be real.

Example 1
Message: -Q-L- (randomuser@t-dialin.info) is authed with your Password. Please change your Auth. /msg SecureQuake Authchange oldpass newpass

This message is fake. Here's why:

  • Unofficial nickname. This message is from a user called Q-L, a three-letter long unofficial nickname. All QuakeNet services use single letter nicknames, such as Q, S.
    Poor use of English. Examples such as "change your Auth", "is authed" are both grammatically awful. The words "Password" and "Authchange" both have a capital letter for no reason. Q messages all use wonderful English.
    *Q does not give you a command to paste. In this case, the message tells you to /MSG a specific user with your current account password. Not only does Q have no "Authchange" command, Q would not give you the command syntax. You would be required to manually type it yourself.

Example 2
Message: -changpass:#channel- change your password with /msg changpass Q oldpass newpass

This message is fake. Here's why:

  • Unofficial nickname. This message is from a user called changpass, a standard user's nickname. All QuakeNet services use single letter nicknames, such as Q, S.
    It contains no information. It simply tells you to execute a completely random /MSG command. If Q asks you to do something, it also tells you WHY.
    *Q does not give you a command to paste. In this case, the message tells you to /MSG a specific user with your current account password. Q would not give you the command syntax. You would be required to manually type it yourself.

Example 3
Message: -Q- Warning: User (user@domain.com) authed with your password.

This message is authentic. Here's why:

  • It uses an official nickname. Q is a single letter nickname that can ONLY be used by network services. It is not Q, or Q-, or Q-L, it is simply **Q**. mIRC adds a "-" before and after a nickname when displaying a /NOTICE, hence it appears as **-Q-.** Fake examples include **-Q-** and **-Q-.
    *    No commands given.    * Q does not expect you to blindly copy & paste commands.
    *It is literate and informative. Q is telling you something useful, and it is written with perfect English grammar. It is not overly verbose.

As you can see upon reflecting on the above examples, it is not difficult to spot and ignore a message from an impersonator.

To recap: In Q's "Warning" message, Q will NEVER give you ANY command to copy and paste, and will NEVER ask you to type your password. If you receive a "Warning" that gives you a command, or asks you for any account details, then do NOT do it. If you receive a REAL warning from Q, proceed to the chapter that deals with compromised accounts.

This help article's short URL is http://quakenet.org/help/99

Other help articles under Security