"What's in a domain name?"
By hora_fugit
@hora_fugit (5862)
India
January 18, 2012 9:36am CST
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Computers have been virtually out of my life these days. Even to use internet, I use my mobile. And that's why you won't find me much on sites like myLot, FB even, where we are supposed to write. For all the moderation, typing on mobile is still cumbersome for me!
So, like for other sites, I usually check my Gmail account on mobile. It's simple mobile version and quite easy to use... also I don't have to write mails so often.
But yesterday, I just wanted to have some go on our PC. Checked mails as well. And that's when I saw the above message (In Gmail homepage). It made me think...
Hmmm, that "Learn more »" is not a link actually! 
I would have liked to really learn more Because -
Recently I got a job offer from Toyota company which had following notable aspects:
* it had the email address something like 'toyotainc@gmail.com'
* at some points they referred themselves as Totota :)
* they wanted a security deposit of around 7.5K, to be refunded if I appeared
* I was assured my selection was guaranteed (why the interview then?) weak
* well, that's all!
I found it to be dubious and just decided I don't want to join a company which doesn't even have its own mail server...
Now when Gmail offers us our 'own domain', wouldn't it be easier for scammers to fake a valid email address? People like me, who verify only basic details, will be so much more susceptible....
Anyway, that's my personal take on this issue. Of course, faking an already existing domain name is impossible. There may be other flaws in my presentation as well.
So please help me out here and enlighten me....! 
I would have liked to really learn more Because -
Recently I got a job offer from Toyota company which had following notable aspects:
* it had the email address something like 'toyotainc@gmail.com'
* at some points they referred themselves as Totota :)
* they wanted a security deposit of around 7.5K, to be refunded if I appeared
* I was assured my selection was guaranteed (why the interview then?) weak
* well, that's all!
I found it to be dubious and just decided I don't want to join a company which doesn't even have its own mail server...
Now when Gmail offers us our 'own domain', wouldn't it be easier for scammers to fake a valid email address? People like me, who verify only basic details, will be so much more susceptible....
Anyway, that's my personal take on this issue. Of course, faking an already existing domain name is impossible. There may be other flaws in my presentation as well.
So please help me out here and enlighten me....! 3 responses
@hora_fugit (5862)
• India
18 Jan 12
I started to see many loopholes in my argument even before I could finish it. So I hope I'll get to know more about this move. Meanwhile, thanks for the response.
Technophobia is good for health sometimes.
Did you notice the message... if you use Gmail? Checking the reply-to address helps many times to filter out the unauthentic ones, though sometimes I do fear I ignored a genuine mail. Hmmm...
They had the logo of the original company...
Technophobia is good for health sometimes.
Did you notice the message... if you use Gmail? Checking the reply-to address helps many times to filter out the unauthentic ones, though sometimes I do fear I ignored a genuine mail. Hmmm...
They had the logo of the original company...@hora_fugit (5862)
• India
18 Jan 12
I am just a black hole money-wise. Nothing comes out of it ever. Everything becomes obsolete so fast, anyway. I'll pass....
@ShinDarkfox (152)
• United States
18 Jan 12
Based on your little scenario there, I'd say it was a scam. Especially since they wanted you to deposity 7.5k, all scams want that these days, they will take the money and disappear. They are often foreigners so police won't be able to catch them.
My bet is, if you actually went to Toyota, they wouldn't even know what you are talking about. Good call on not trusting it. I don't even think a legit company would use gmail.
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
19 Jan 12
Hi Hora
Well, this is not anything new on the world of Internet. I remember when Rediffmail rolled out, they too had a similar feature. They did (and I think even today they do) provide this facility where anyone can opt-in for a custom domain name by merely paying a small amount (it was about 349/- INR per year to start with).
Though this was done with a noble thought - I remember during those days, it was quite costly to get your own domain name, get your own online website and even Host that website - these are somethings that automatically will provide you emails@yourdomain.com. Unfortunately, we humans have a tendency and inclination to start making ill-use of things that are given to us. So yes, there is no doubt, there are scammers who will misuse this feature, cheat people and the cheated will blame the Internet when they fall into a trap. But isnt this the same scenario with almost a lot of websites? I mean, you cannot be sure if a firm really exists, if a freelancer really works and has knowledge... just because they say so on some domain name crafted as per their business or portfolio?
At all times, on the internet, it is better and advisable to do some more of research, some more of homework to double sure what the website is and also what the world/internet users think about it. Many a times (not always) this helps a little.
Well, this is not anything new on the world of Internet. I remember when Rediffmail rolled out, they too had a similar feature. They did (and I think even today they do) provide this facility where anyone can opt-in for a custom domain name by merely paying a small amount (it was about 349/- INR per year to start with).
Though this was done with a noble thought - I remember during those days, it was quite costly to get your own domain name, get your own online website and even Host that website - these are somethings that automatically will provide you emails@yourdomain.com. Unfortunately, we humans have a tendency and inclination to start making ill-use of things that are given to us. So yes, there is no doubt, there are scammers who will misuse this feature, cheat people and the cheated will blame the Internet when they fall into a trap. But isnt this the same scenario with almost a lot of websites? I mean, you cannot be sure if a firm really exists, if a freelancer really works and has knowledge... just because they say so on some domain name crafted as per their business or portfolio?
At all times, on the internet, it is better and advisable to do some more of research, some more of homework to double sure what the website is and also what the world/internet users think about it. Many a times (not always) this helps a little.1 person likes this
