Sep282010

The evolving “LinkedIn” threat

A couple of days ago I posted a warning about false communications pretending to be from LinkedIn.  That threat continues and evolves with a variation on the threat arriving in my email today.  See the screen capture below.  Everything about this email on the surface looks legitimate, except of course for the fact my name is not “Dawn”, nor am I expecting any payment from any of my LinkedIn connections.

As always, your best defense is your own common sense.  If anything arrives in your email that just doesn’t “smell right”, chances are it’s not right and potentially carrying a nasty payload just like the ZIP file attached in this email.

Always make sure your system has the latest critical updates from Microsoft.  Always make sure you have current AntiVirus and other malware detection systems active and most importantly, CURRENT and up to date with the latest threat definitions.  The Internet is a seedy place, browse safely and trust no one.

 

Email carrying malicious payload



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Sep142010

Today’s Tip - Alternative Web Browsers

Published by dave at 10:55 AM under Internet | software | Daily Tips | video

If you’re looking for an Internet browser other than Internet Explorer you have options.  Firefox is a popular browser but many people complain of and experience performance issues with it.  Google’s “Chrome” browser touts security with it’s “surf in a sandbox” concept but there are privacy concerns with this browser as everything you do in the browser is transmitted to Google for analysis.  Apple’s Safari browser has a very small footprint in the PC realm… a larger base on Mac since it is the embedded native browser.  One of my current favorite browsers that you might find to be an attractive alternative is Opera’s latest browser 10.60.  It’s free, and it’s fast!  One thing about the browser to be aware of though is by default it wants to turn on Opera “Turbo” mode which optimizes the browser for slow connections… ie, 56k modem.  If you have broadband service of 3MB or greater speed you will want to disable Turbo.  Another browser I just started toying with is from Lunascape (lunascape.tv).  Has a look that is something of a hybrid between Opera and Safari.  What I like about it right up front is the ability to quickly change the rendering engine on the fly without having to dig down into preference and other settings.  If you're feeling very adventurous and a serious computer junkie, look into the Konqueror browser as well.

I encourage to explore and experiment with other offerings until you find the one that feels right for you.  In the meantime, enjoy the introductory video about Opera 10.60 and if you have questions or comments about any of the browsers mentioned (or browsers not mentioned), feel free to consult the Dr.

 



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Sep102010

Smartphone chatter

Published by dave at 4:23 PM under technology | Hardware

Windows Phone 7 home screenLots of Smartphone chatter lately.  Rumors persist Apple will have a CDMA phone that works on Verizon “soon” and in fact Apple shares climbed to their highest level ever today on word it “is a done deal” according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

Meanwhile Pocket Lint, a UK based website reporting Windows Phone 7 will be publicly launched October 11 at hugeiPhone event to take place in New York City.

Also worth noting the barrage of Smartphone's coming to market running Google’s Android platform as well. 

One thing is for certain, consumers win this coming Holiday season with all the options you will soon have! 



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Jul092009

Beware of shiny objects

Published by dave at 7:58 AM under computers | Internet | Microsoft Operating Systems | Opinion | privacy | technology

You're living in a cave if you haven't at least heard about G's intention to "build" a new computer Operating System based on their highly promoted and little used "Chrome" web browser.  Based on the reaction in the blogosphere, there doesn't seem to be a lot of "wait and see" attitude from the people actually paying attention to this stuff.   The Google fanboys and girls have soiled themselves in naivete` while the nay sayers are raising privacy concerns and question the motivation of such a plan.  Drudge went so far as to headline it as a "death blow" to Redmond, WA based Microsoft.   God knows Drudge has never been over the top.

I'm open minded enough to wait and see what ultimately comes out of Mountainview, but I for one am not holding my breath that this is going to be a "game changer" on a large scale.  Google conveniently omitted any real detail in the press release so one can only guess the new OS, in reality will be a shell or GUI running on top of Linux or other Open Source OS.  Not even the whiz kids can build a viable operating system from scratch and take it to market in the time frame announced.  If I am right, it won't be a true stand alone "Operating System", but rather akin to Windows 3.0 and 3.1 in that it will be a "Chrome" based GUI running on top of Linux, and we all know how painful that was.

Here is what I want to know:  Is Google really trying to build disruptive technology, or just trying to be disruptive?  Is this just a ploy to deflect the watchful eyes of Wall Street away from the sinking earnings reports and other failures?   Memo to Eric (Schmidt, CEO of Google), not EVERYONE has a stick up their ass for Bill Gates and Microsoft like you do.  Don't presume that the typical PC user sees Microsoft the same way you do.  Many of us are starting to see you as the new predatory and evil empire.

What's your take?



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