I try to avoid unnecessary junk and apps on my computer, as most are merely distractions and annoying, not to mention increase the items I have to monitor for security purposes. But recently a web site op who I trust posted a message, “I have a package for you…” followed by a reference to Telegram (“Telegram me…@{his user name}”. I think he wants to communicate more directly than swapping public messages on his web page.
I am ignorant about Telegram. Can someone take me to square one so I can get in touch with this party without compromising my computer or complicating my life?
Here’s the final analysis. I was having trouble installing Telegram, but that may have been a good thing. In the immortal words of (Dr.) Johnny Fever, “If everyone is out to get you, being paranoid is Just Good Thinking.”
The web site owner posted a new video, and appended a warning at the end telling viewers that his fans have been seeing comments on his site telling them that they had won a contest and to call a phone number to get their prize. Most were suspicious enough to email him about it, and he confirmed such a message was not posted by him.
His only defense has been to delete any such comments when detected.
Since I rarely have occasion to cold email a YT site admin, I was not aware that obtaining the site’s direct email was that easy, but after poking around a bit, found out it was readily available after passing a CAPTCHA. So I found the email addy and sent a message.
He just replied and verified that my “got a package 4 U” message was of the same ilk as the “you won a contest” scam.
Further investigation makes me think that the original comment was not an official posting by the site’s OP, but only a comment formatted to spoof one, just like a scammy email made to look like a Bank of America warning, complete with official bank logo. So I don’t think his site was hacked.