Indigo Computer

A Few Words On Password Security

2010-01-26T20:49:00.004-05:00

Have a webmail account? The most common method of gaining access to someone else's eMail account is by guessing the password. Take a look at this list of the ten most common passwords used on the Internet, and if any of your passwords come close to one of these, Change It!

The top 10 most common passwords
1. 123456
2. 12345
3. 123456789
4. Password
5. iloveyou
6. princess
7. rockyou
8. 1234567
9. 12345678
10. abc123

Do not use correctly spelled words in your password, or do common substitutions within correctly spelled words (zero for Oh or one for I). For 'challenge questions,' I recommend you create a set of false answers that only you know, and keep those written down -- another common method of gaining access to someone's account is to research their history and then guess the answer to challenge questions on the password reset page.

Don't make the mistake of thinking there's no harm in someone reading your eMail -- a criminal can usually find a treasure trove of personal information hidden in your Inbox. Google 'most common passwords' to see more passwords you should not be using.

Teamviewer

2010-01-18T11:56:00.001-05:00

For desktop sharing remote support, Teamviewer really works great. Even runs on the Windows Emulator under Linux! Free for personal use.

Internet Explorer Still Unsafe -- Doh!

2010-01-18T10:45:00.004-05:00

For 11 years, since the days of Netscape, I've implored people to quit using Internet Explorer. Using IE to browse the web is the 2nd most popular way a virus gets into your PC (opening a virus eMail attachement is 1st). This has not changed for 3 versions (6, 7 and 8) and countless updates over 11 years. With the most recent IE exploit 'found in the wild,' both Germany and France have joined me in warning people to quit using Internet Explorer to browse the web. My customers who religiously avoid Internet Explorer are far less likely to get a virus infection (100 to 1) than those who use IE. Mozilla Firefox is the browser I recommend -- why not give Firefox a try -- ITS FREE!

Leap Year, What's a Leap Year?

2009-01-01T04:39:00.003-05:00

If there's anyone left who thinks that Microsoft software is well written, consider this latest embarrassment affecting their Zune 30GB portable media player and it's inability to handle leap years: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,474690,00.html. Zune 30GB players all become unusable on the 366th day of 2008 (a leap year), then need to be reset and synced on January 1st in order to work. Microsoft says this 'undocumented enhancement' is by design, and they recommend upgrading all Zune 30GB players to the new version of the Zune, dubbed 'ZuneVista.' While slower, more 'clicky,' and with a completely different user interface grafted onto the top of the same old Zune, 'ZuneVista' is guaranteed by Microsoft not to suffer from any similar leap year issue through Dec 30th 2012.

Internet Explorer - Unsafe At Any Speed.

2008-12-16T20:46:00.003-05:00

Its that little blue 'e' on your desktop, and its the source of almost all Windows PC Virus and Spyware infections. Internet Explorer is simply not safe to use to browse the web: It Leaves You Wide Open for Virus Attack. Here's a BBC story on the latest IE vulberability to be actively exploited in the wild:
Serious security flaw found in IE. Of course Microsoft gives us the usual 'nothing to be concerned about', but its not their passwords that are being stolen, and its not their PC that needs to be dropped off for virus and spyware removal. Stop clicking on the blue 'e' -- Switch to Mozilla Firefox, a free, fast, safe, secure, standards-based browser that simply does not have the security vulnerabilities Microsoft so skillfully crafts into all their software. And, if you're a victim of Virus or Spyware, let Indigo Computer expertly clean your PC for a flat fee of $99. Call us for more information 614-975-0680.

How Does Spam Work?

2008-11-11T08:22:00.003-05:00

The BBC has a story about Spam eMails, and the inner workings of a spammer's operation, along with other facts and figures. Its an interesting read if you'd like to learn more about how Spam eMails are sent, who's sending them, how Spam relates to viruses and Internet Security, and how these people make money from Spam. Here's the link:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7719281.stm

Remember, Indigo Computer is available for your company or personal Internet Security review.

New Free Software Alert: CrossLoop

2008-10-10T08:18:00.004-05:00

CrossLoop is a free service that allows remote desktop sharing for Windows. It easily gets around firewalls and routers, allowing a technician to remote control a client's PC. Using this tool, we can help users remotely without physically making the trip to their location, getting them back to working quicker and minimizing downtime. Based on TightVNC, CrossLoop adds a secure server to TightVNC's connection, bypassing most firewalls and routers, and making sure noone can eavesdrop on the datastream. CrossLoop client and server installs are free for download at CrossLoop.com. Crossloop.com also has a directory of people willing to help you with your PC issues for a fee.

Web Hosting Services

2008-09-20T07:09:00.002-05:00

Switched webhosts last week, and I thought I'd let you in on a secret: GoDaddy.com offers a great deal in webhosting for the little guy. The only thing to watch out for is that you're totally and completely on your own if you run into trouble. I moved all 10 of my domains to a single GoDaddy hosting account, will save $200/yr in hosting fees, gained a whole lot of functionality but lost control of custom scripting, and it was fairly painless and easy to do. As an example, some of their simple hosting plans are only $70/yr or less, with the domain registration almost free with the hosting plan. If you're in the market for a webhost, GoDaddy is definitely one place I'd check into.

Firefox 3.0 Released

2008-06-23T10:40:00.003-05:00

Get it if you haven't -- its well worth the download!

Didn't think much of the new release of Firefox -- Mozilla has been my browser of choice for more than 10 years now. Unlike IE, with Firefox I can enjoy the web rather than hold my breath every time I click a link. Updates to Firefox in the past have been nice, but I generally don't get all googly-eyed at new releases when the current product works so well.

Then, I downloaded Firefox 3.0, and I must say there are several features that will have Microsoft again playing catch-up to the Mighty.
Firefox 3.0 continues its safer, faster than IE heritage and adds prettier with the 3.0 release. The 8M download is amazingly small for such a feature packed release.

Get it now: Mozilla.com

Information Technology Asset Disposal

2008-04-08T18:06:00.002-05:00

Most people don't realize that electronics have all kinds of nasty heavy metals and poisons in them that, if disposed of in landfills, will leach into the surrounding soil. By law they are forbidden in landfills, but we still need a way to get rid of them ...

Enter Intechra LLC. In celebration of Earth Day 2008, Intechra has set aside April 12th as a day for folks to drop off their 'desktops, laptops, printers, monitors, routers and servers' for free. They will be responsibly recycled.

If its free, its for me!

The date is Saturday April 12th and the Columbus OH location is 1120 Morrison Road in Gahanna. For more information, guidelines and directions see Intechra LLC's Earthday Page.

Protect Yourself Against Electronic Theft

2008-03-18T10:10:00.004-05:00

Here's a recent FOX News story about the theft of personal information from a store chain on the East Coast: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,338712,00.html 4.2 million credit card numbers exposed only found 3 months and several thousand victims later.

While you can't do much about what a store does with your information, there are a number of things you can do to get thief move on to their next victim, keeping your credit history safe:
1) Use a single card for day-to-day purchases, then:
-- keep watch on the transactions online
-- keep a low credit line (you may need to request it)
-- or make it a debit card with limited balance.
2) Use Cash or a Debit Card on Vacation or when traveling
3) Do not use a credit card at fine dining restaurants

Crooks are looking for credit cards with a large available credit lines -- they don't want to waste time with small purchases or raise alerts trying to figure out available credit. Keep the available balance below $500 or so and you'll keep your credit history safe - or even get them to move on to another more lucrative victim.

Sit down dining restaurants are hot-beds of credit card theft -- when the waiter or waitress takes your card its too easy to copy the info off the card for sale or use at a later time. About one-fourth of credit card thefts start in this low-tech manner.

GreenDotOnline has a low-fee debit card that you preload with cash - an excellent card to use for everyday purchases without over-exposing yourself. Thieves don't like these type of cards.

Better yet, most banks offer fee-free checking accounts, and the ability to transfer balances online. If you have two checking accounts with two debit cards, you can use a 'main' account to accept your direct deposit salary, write checks and pay bills, and the second account with a low balance for debit card purchases.

Do not use a credit line for overdraft protection - most banks will allow you to setup a savings account to use for overdraft protection. This also limits damage from check fraud.

Always keep a list in a secure place of all your credit card accounts and the corresponding phone numbers to report lost or stolen cards. That makes it easy in the event you become a victim. Be sure this list is secured.

If you are the victim of credit card theft, expect the thief to never get caught. Less than 5% of these folks are ever identified, and of those very few that actually get convicted, probation is the norm. No repayment of the money stolen or jail time ever happens, even with repeat offenders.

Ubuntu Linux is Desktop Ready

2008-02-26T09:29:00.002-05:00

I'm not a Linux superuser, so I try to stick to the quick-to-install distributions that set themselves up without much help from the user. Of course, they also have to be completely free.

Ubuntu Linux definitely fits those needs -- its a full-fledged desktop operating system with most anything needed for business computing.

Download the LiveCD, and try it out without installing it -- if you like what you see, start the installation right from that same LiveCD. The only other thing you'll want is a broadband connection so Synaptic can download and install whatever additional software not on the LiveCD.

If you're looking for a Windows Vista alternative, Ubuntu Linux is definitely worth a look, and I recommend it for users switching from Windows to Linux as a good first-time-Linux distribution.

If you'd like a system pre-loaded with Ubuntu, contact Indigo Computer for pricing and options.

More Worst Buy Woes ...

2008-02-14T09:34:00.002-05:00

... and Lawsuits. Here's a link to a story about a woman who brought her laptop in for service at her local Best Buy, only to have her laptop stolen from 'Geek Squad' service. Best Buy and Geek Squad didn't tell her it was stolen for 3 months, all the while her personal information was out there in a stranger's possesion. She's now suing Best Buy and Geek Squad for $54M.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330659,00.html

You can always trust Indigo Computer to take care of your equipment and your data. We even pick-up and drop-off, for the busy professional.

Romanians Adept at eBay Scams

2008-02-07T09:08:00.000-05:00

Here's a link to a story on FoxNews.com about a poor Romanian town that's suddenly grown rich thanks to Internet access and eBay fraud.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,328966,00.html

I'm an active eBay user, have been for 4-1/2 years now. I can atest there are scams-a-plenty that begin on eBay -- but there are also millions of successful transactions completed each day with both parties very satisfied.

Scams require the victim of the scam do something unsafe. Here's a quick list of ways to avoid an unsafe transaction that could make an eBay user a victim of a scam:

NEVER pay for an eBay item with a personal check or e-check.
NEVER pay for an eBay item with a Credit Card.
NEVER pay for an item with a wire transfer or a Money Order.
Never send payment information through an eMail message.
Never pay for an eBay item outside of eBay.
Don't deal with anyone in another country (except, maybe Canada).
Never respond to any eMails that come from eBay an eBay User -- go to eBay Message Center and respond there.
Always check feedback when you're dealing on eBay -- use extra caution if there's little or no feedback, avoid users with negative feedback.

It's safe to pay with a Money Order or Cashier's Check for small items, as long as you can stand to lose the money you send. It's also safe and convenient to use an online service like PayPal. You can use PayPal with your Credit Card or an e-check to pay for an item and still keep your sensitive financial info hidden from the other party. For large transactions you should pay in person and record the other party's ID, home address and telephone.

These are just a few points to make eBay safe to use -- for a complete list of all eBay security tips, visit eBay's 'Security and Resolution' page at
http://pages.ebay.com/securitycenter/index.html.

Best Buy is The Worst by ...

2008-02-03T00:12:00.000-05:00

... far to purchase technology or have it serviced.

They've a reputation for shady dealings, been investigated various State Attorney Generals for various alleged fraud, and ticked me off with their "we'll match any competitor's price (unless our competitor's price is lower)" policy.

Here's a posting over at M$NBC about a gentleman who had Best Buy replace the hard drive in his computer, wouldn't return the drive with his data to him, assured him that the data would be safe, then proceeded allow his hard drive to be sold to a stranger in another town with all his personal data still on it! Scary!

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2006/06/one_year_ago_ha.html

Read some of the comments -- there are a number of people who posted similar stories after having their PC serviced at Best Buy.

This simply isn't a possibility at Indigo Computer -- we realize the awesome responsibility of protecting our customer's sensitive information, and we treat your data as if it was our family's. We use Department of Defense standards to erase all data from all failed hard drives and media before destruction and recycling.

You can trust Indigo Computer with your sensitive personal information.

Backup Your Data

2008-01-28T20:29:00.001-05:00

It's a subject I can't stress enough, and my customers will attest to that. I constantly remind people if they have data they don't want to lose, they need to be sure it gets backed up on a regular basis. Scheduling unattended backups is the best solution, but for home users, occasional backups to CD or DVD is usually acceptable, provided it's done on a regular basis.

There is also online backup services available now for free or for a modest fee. Box.net is a site that offers up to 1GB of storage for free.

If you need assistance with a backup plan for those important files, contact Indigo Computer at (614) 921-9240.

The 1st Entry ...

2008-01-28T20:28:00.001-05:00

The first entry for the Blog. Thanks for visiting.

Indigo Computer Customers should contact me directly -- they have my contact information. People who are not customers should feel free to contact me via this blog with questions, concerns, or comments.

Items posted here will be of general interest -- somehow connected with Information Technology.