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.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
How Does Spam Work?
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.
Friday, October 10, 2008
New Free Software Alert: CrossLoop
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.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Web Hosting Services
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.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Firefox 3.0 Released
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
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Information Technology Asset Disposal
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.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Protect Yourself Against Electronic Theft
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
