Google, the world's most powerful and profitable Internet search
engine, finally delivered on its long-standing promise to offer
a free e-mail service that rivals all other free Web search engines,
like Yahoo, Netscape and MSN.
Unlike the others, Google's Gmail provides users 1,000 megabytes
(MBs), or 1 gigabyte of e-mail space, far outdistancing its competitors:
- MSN -- 2 MBs
- Netscape -- 5 MBs
- Yahoo -- 100 MBs
Unfortunately, there's a catch. Because Gmail is currently in a
"beta" mode, potential users can only sign up for the
service if they're invited. Some Web sites have created pages so
users can "donate" their extra e-invitations to the very
Net savvy.
However, some have taken advantage of the attractiveness and the
temporary exclusivity of the Gmail service. A number have auctioned
their e-invites to Gmail on eBay. And a select few have scammed
unsuspecting users with "phishing" schemes from what appear
to be traditional sources like Citibank.
The scammer will send a bogus e-mail to a Gmail account holder,
offering the opportunity to send free Gmail invites to a group of
his or her friends. It's worked in some cases because e-mails have
slipped through Gmail spam filters. Google has put the word out
about the scammers by publicizing the problem on various message
boards and forums.
For the record, a mouse click is all it takes for current Gmail
subscribers, given legitimate invitations, to invite a friend to
join.
iSnoop.net
September, 2004
Cdnet
September 15, 2004
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