There's a cute guest editorial by Marilyn Mackenzie in today's Enquirer! It's about how we all tend to be "sucked in" by our web and e-mail exchanges...
Be sure to read it - http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070724/EDIT02/707240305/1090/EDIT
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
While John if off on his "two tired" Toulouse tour, we've had a couple guests to help out on Compter Talk. Last week (May 29) it was George Zahn and Dave Schram from the WMKV staff, and Dave held up the Mac banner very well in John's absence.
This week (June 5) Larry Martin from Gold Medal PC was the guest - bringing along some of his professional pitch about computer security - spyware, viruses, all the stuff that we reiterate every week (especially when Aus is on board). Identity theft is a HUGE concern for computer users, but awareness and common sense are your best tools to protect yourself. (If it's too good to be true...)
Speaking of Aus, we should have him back in the studio next week (June 12) - and I'm sure he'll fill us in on the latest scams and such. Tune in, and don't forget the podcasts are available via the menu at the left of this page.
Happy computing!
This week (June 5) Larry Martin from Gold Medal PC was the guest - bringing along some of his professional pitch about computer security - spyware, viruses, all the stuff that we reiterate every week (especially when Aus is on board). Identity theft is a HUGE concern for computer users, but awareness and common sense are your best tools to protect yourself. (If it's too good to be true...)
Speaking of Aus, we should have him back in the studio next week (June 12) - and I'm sure he'll fill us in on the latest scams and such. Tune in, and don't forget the podcasts are available via the menu at the left of this page.
Happy computing!
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Is your password secure? Here are hints on choosing a secure password:
http://www.switched.com/2007/04/30/is-your-password-in-this-list
http://www.switched.com/2007/04/30/is-your-password-in-this-list
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
John's out of town, so it a repeat show today - but meanwhile, take a minute to...
Learn to navigate with Google Maps!
Well worth the trip -
1. Go to www.google.com
2. click on "maps"
3. click on "get directions"
4. type "New York" in the first box (the "from" box)
5. type "London" in the second box (the "to" box) (hit get directions)
6. scroll down to step #23 <<< Very important!!
(Thanks to Ray for the hat tip)
Learn to navigate with Google Maps!
Well worth the trip -
1. Go to www.google.com
2. click on "maps"
3. click on "get directions"
4. type "New York" in the first box (the "from" box)
5. type "London" in the second box (the "to" box) (hit get directions)
6. scroll down to step #23 <<< Very important!!
(Thanks to Ray for the hat tip)
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Joan sent me this -
The Computer Swallowed Grandma
This is a tribute to all the Grandmas who have been fearless and learned to use the computer........ They are the greatest!!!
The computer swallowed grandma.
Yes, honestly its true.
She pressed 'control' and 'enter'
And disappeared from view.
It devoured her completely! ,
The thought just makes me squirm.
She must have caught a virus
Or been eaten by a worm.
I've searched through the recycle bin
And files of every kind;
I've even used the Internet,
But nothing did I find.
In desperation, I asked Jeeves
My searches to refine.
The reply from him was negative,
Not a thing was found 'online.'
So, if inside your 'Inbox,'
My Grandma you should see,
Please 'Copy,' 'Scan' and 'Paste' her
And send her back to me!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
We do not stop playing because we grow old;
We grow old because we stop playing.
Never Be The First To Get Old!
The Computer Swallowed Grandma
This is a tribute to all the Grandmas who have been fearless and learned to use the computer........ They are the greatest!!!
The computer swallowed grandma.
Yes, honestly its true.
She pressed 'control' and 'enter'
And disappeared from view.
It devoured her completely! ,
The thought just makes me squirm.
She must have caught a virus
Or been eaten by a worm.
I've searched through the recycle bin
And files of every kind;
I've even used the Internet,
But nothing did I find.
In desperation, I asked Jeeves
My searches to refine.
The reply from him was negative,
Not a thing was found 'online.'
So, if inside your 'Inbox,'
My Grandma you should see,
Please 'Copy,' 'Scan' and 'Paste' her
And send her back to me!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
We do not stop playing because we grow old;
We grow old because we stop playing.
Never Be The First To Get Old!
Friday, March 23, 2007
I have a question for the multitude:
We all know about "red eye" correction (the camera's strobe light bouncing off the retina) in making prints from our digital photos. However this only applies to photos of people.
I have some shots of dogs with "yellow eye" instead of red, and cannot find software to correct this. Where can I go to get 'er done?
We all know about "red eye" correction (the camera's strobe light bouncing off the retina) in making prints from our digital photos. However this only applies to photos of people.
I have some shots of dogs with "yellow eye" instead of red, and cannot find software to correct this. Where can I go to get 'er done?
Thursday, March 08, 2007
A good buddy sent me this post. It was in the "forward this to everyone you know" category, which I usually trash right away.
However, this is virtually the same tale told by Aus a few months ago - a really slick scam! So, it bears repeating here:
* * * *
Subject: NEW CREDIT CARD SCAM
This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want. Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA &MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.
One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "Master Card".The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in Arizona ?" When you say "No ", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?" You say "yes".
The caller continues - "I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call l the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. "D o you need me to read it again?"
Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card". He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers". ; There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security Numbers' that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up.
You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to our card.
Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a "Jason Richardson of Master Card" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening.
However, this is virtually the same tale told by Aus a few months ago - a really slick scam! So, it bears repeating here:
* * * *
Subject: NEW CREDIT CARD SCAM
This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want. Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA &MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.
One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "Master Card".The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in Arizona ?" When you say "No ", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?" You say "yes".
The caller continues - "I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call l the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. "D o you need me to read it again?"
Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card". He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers". ; There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security Numbers' that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up.
You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to our card.
Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a "Jason Richardson of Master Card" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening.
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