Archive for the ‘tech’ Category

Official spyware?

Posted: January 6, 2009 by datechguy in opinion/news, tech
Tags:

There has been a lot of loose talk over the years of civil liberties being eroded but this looks like the real thing:

THE Home Office has quietly adopted a new plan to allow police across Britain routinely to hack into people’s personal computers without a warrant.

The quietly part really bothers me almost as much as the without a warrant

The strategy will allow French, German and other EU forces to ask British officers to hack into someone’s UK computer and pass over any material gleaned.

That is an incredible surrender of sovereignty.

Police might also send an e-mail to a suspect’s computer. The message would include an attachment that contained a virus or “malware”. If the attachment was opened, the remote search facility would be covertly activated. Alternatively, police could park outside a suspect’s home and hack into his or her hard drive using the wireless network.

That is interesting, would it be made illegal for makers of anti-spyware software to block or stop this stuff?

The idea that this can be done without an explicit vote in Parliament is disgusting. Regardless of your opinion of the patriot act in the US the Congress passed it out of both houses and the president did sign it. This is being done without the consent of the people at all.

The actual story is here. Via insty & samizdata.net

Nothing like a little elevator action

Posted: January 6, 2009 by datechguy in gaming, tech
Tags:

If you are an old gamer than this little animation will be cute to you. Click on Play video.

Isn’t that just what your mind’s eye saw you doing when you played the game?

Don’t tempt me Frodo

Posted: January 6, 2009 by datechguy in tech
Tags:

Looking at the posts at Instapundit concerning Netbooks for under $400 all I can do is drool.

The big feature to me is still getting XP. One Glenn quote tell the story of Vista in a nutshell:

I like the mini-Note line, though the one I tested had Vista which slowed it down considerably.

That’s Vista all over.

Phishing for me today

Posted: December 31, 2008 by datechguy in tech
Tags:

Well with all of the activities going on via eBay I’ve been jumping around a bit.  Looks like somebody noticed and decided to see if I was a sucker or not.  The e-mail I received follows. I’ve re-directed the links to this blog.

To: “Peter Ingemi”

Content-Type: text/html;  This is clue 1.  Large companies almost never send plain text.  That doesn’t mean that if it wasn’t plan text that it was real but it is a clue.

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:25:56 EST

Subject: Please Restore Your Account Access RXI019 This is clue 2.  The classic phishing scheme is “restore” or “fix” something.

Dear Peter Ingemi,

As part of our security measures, we regularly screen activity in the PayPal system. We recently contacted you after noticing an issue on your account. They are always crying account issues. This is actually rather smart since they are sending it after some account activity.

We requested information from you for the following reason: They are playing the “request” card nice and sweet

A recent review of your account determined that we require some additional information from you in order to provide you with secure service. They always need “extra info”

Case ID Number: PP-332-990-588 Oh a case ID then it MUST be real. You’d be surprised how much that makes a difference to people.

This is a second reminder to log in to PayPal This is the first phony link. as soon as possible. Once you log in, you will be provided with steps to restore your account access.

Be sure to log in securely by using the following link:
Click here to login and restore your account access And this is the 2nd.

Once you log in, you will be provided with steps to restore your account access. We appreciate your understanding as we work to ensure account safety. Once you log it they’ve got you!

In accordance with PayPal’s User Agreement, your account access will remain limited until the issue has been resolved. Unfortunately, if access to your account remains limited for an extended period of time, it may result in further limitations or eventual account closure. We encourage you to log in to your PayPal account as soon as possible to help avoid this. This is really smart. Once they get in and change your password you will be locked out while they take every cent they can. This sentence gives you a plausible reason why your normal activities fail and how many people actually read those agreements?

To review your account and some or all of the information that PayPal used to make its decision to limit your account access, please visit the Resolution Center. If, after reviewing your account information, you seek further clarification regarding your account access, please contact PayPal by visiting the Help Center and clicking “Contact Us”. Another line to stall you.

We thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Please understand that this is a security measure intended to help protect you and your account. We apologize for any inconvenience. And again you are doing this for your own good.

Sincerely,
PayPal Account Review Department

PayPal Email ID PP638  The last official touch

If you look at the actual raw links you would see a long complicated link, that is another big clue.

The way to confirm that something like this is nonsense is easy.

Either put the raw address of the company (in this case http://www.paypal.com) into your browser and do a search of the base company (paypal) and follow that link. If there is something actually going on you will find it there. Don’t be the pfish who falls for the bait on the hook.

Older Entries
Newer Entries