In e-mail, first impressions stick

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: M. E. KABAY ON SECURITY
08/02/05
Today's focus: In e-mail, first impressions stick

Dear security.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* In e-mail, you really don't have a second chance to make a
  first impression
* Links related to Security
* Featured reader resource
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analysis and product test reviews for practical how-to advice on
subjects ranging from patch management and spyware to promises
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Today's focus: In e-mail, first impressions stick

By M. E. Kabay

When you receive an e-mail message from a stranger, do you care
whether it has spelling mistakes and grammar mistakes? What
about offensive language and off-color humor? Does the context
matter? For example, do you apply the same standards to e-mail
referring to business matters and to informal communications
about, say, a hobby or interest?

Researchers at the University of Chicago have been investigating
the effects of e-mail on perceptions of character. According to
a summary by Cathy Tran in _Science Now_
<http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2005/719/1>
(by subscription only), psychologist Nicholas Epley and
colleagues examined conversations carried out by phone between
randomly selected people using six assigned questions. They then
transcribed the answers and used them for the e-mail version of
the Q&A sessions.

Their results were interesting. The questioners had been given
false biographical sketches of the people they were
communicating with, indicating substandard intelligence or
normal intelligence as well as different pictures showing neat
people or slobs. Questioners who used the phone to listen to the
prescribed responses had favorable impressions of their
interlocutor's intelligence regardless of the bios and pictures.

In contrast: "Via e-mail, however, students held onto their
first impressions, continuing to assume their partners had
substandard intelligence, for example, if that's what the
biographical sketch indicated."

If this research is confirmed, I think the lesson for us is that
when using e-mail, first impressions really do count.
Professionals should carefully review e-mail messages for
acceptable writing, including word-choice, punctuation,
capitalization, and spelling.

Looking like an idiot is easy; correcting that impression via
e-mail may not be so easy.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. Cisco vulnerability posted to Internet
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlsecuritynewsal4221>

2. Router flaw sparks battle
<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/080105-blackhat.html>

3. Researcher at center of Cisco router-exploit controversy
speaks out <http://www.networkworld.com/nlsecuritynewsal4223>

4. Black Hat event highlights RFID and VoIP security threats
<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/080105-blackhat-side.html>

5. Cisco nixes conference session on hacking IOS router code
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlsec4014nlsecuritynewsal4058>
_______________________________________________________________
To contact: M. E. Kabay

M. E. Kabay, Ph.D., CISSP, is Associate Professor in the
Division of Business and Management at Norwich University in
Northfield, Vt. Mich can be reached by e-mail
<mailto:mkabay@norwich.edu> and his Web site
<http://www2.norwich.edu/mkabay/index.htm>.

New information assurance journal - Norwich University Journal
of Information Assurance (NUJIA). See
<http://nujia.norwich.edu/>
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Avocent
Network World Executive Guide: Security Evolves. Automation,
specialized 'ops centers' and more.

For network security professionals, keeping a safe distance
ahead of the worst the bad guys have to offer is a never-ending
race. This guide is designed to help with a collection of news,
analysis and product test reviews for practical how-to advice on
subjects ranging from patch management and spyware to promises
and risks of automated security services.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=109196
_______________________________________________________________
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Four steps to achieving real customer insight - Webcast

Do you want to improve the quality of your customer data? Learn
how you can create a unified, enterprise wide view of customers
so you can provide better service, improve customer relations,
and increase sales and more.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=109106
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FEATURED READER RESOURCE
SIX TIPS FOR GETTING WHAT YOU DESERVE

Before you go in for your next annual review or promotion
interview, you would be wise to consider these tips for ensuring
you've got the right stuff to move ahead. Network executives
offer advice to help you gun for that next promotion and fatten
up your paycheck. Click here:
<http://www.networkworld.com/you/2005/072505-salary-side2.html>
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