Having just signed up with PayPal I have been paying close attention to emails I receive whenever I modify details on my account.

While I was scouring my Gmail Spam folders for emails that may have been inadvertently caught, I found one that should be a great concern to other PayPal users like me. It’s an email message that looks exactly like official correspondence from PayPal, but on closer scrutiny proves to be a phishing scam.

Phishing is a form of Internet fraud that aims to steal valuable information such as credit cards, social security numbers, user IDs and passwords and the like.

This particular email apparently from PayPal aroused suspicion as soon as I saw it.

• Reason #1: I did not register for PayPal with my gmail account.
• Reason #2: The link URL’s that show on my browser’s status bar tell me that the links embedded in this email are NOT authentic PayPal links, but were made to appear like they are.

(more…)

TechRepublic has always been a good resource for computers and networking. I was going to quote their 10 dumb things users do that mess up their computers article, but when I clicked on their 10 things category I found something even more useful:
10 things IT pros should do when a relationship ends

#1: Change your passwords at work, if possible

You may feel confident that you never disclosed a password to your Former Significant Other (FOSO, for now). However, being mistaken in your trust can damage your career and possibly cost you your job.

#2: Repair any security breaches you have created

If you have any reason to think that an angry FOSO could gain access to other people’s data, you need to take immediate action.

#3: Change privileges on appropriate programs and systems

If your ex has administrator status on your system, remote access, etc., consider whether that status is still appropriate.

#4: Change passwords on your personal accounts

Okay, okay, it’s obvious. However, simple precautions are all too easy to forget when it’s your own personal heart that’s breaking. Think of all your password-protected places and change them. If you have an online business, be sure to secure access to that account immediately.

#5: Be careful about your communications on company computers

The office is not a prudent place to expose your innermost feelings, especially in writing. Keep in mind that your employer probably has access to all files on an office computer.

#6: Resist the temptation to harm your ex’s system or data

Erasing a critical file, formatting a hard drive, or introducing a clever virus may seem like a satisfying action when you are burning with rage and jealousy. However, all of these are bad ideas.

#7: Resolve any business issues between the two of you

If you and your FOSO worked together, especially if you have an IT consulting firm, the two of you need to straighten out any business matters, including any corporate or partnership matters.

#8: Retrieve your personal information

If your ex has any of your personal files on his or her computer, try to get permission to retrieve or delete them. At the least, ask your FOSO to erase the data.

#9: Refrain from online nastiness

Online communications can last far longer than the rage that spawned them. Venting your most intimate emotions in writing can be a bad idea, especially on the Web.

#10: Resolve any financial issues between the two of you

Longtime couples usually have some financial entanglement. You may need to split everyday stuff, like furniture, DVDs, and china. You should divide and close any joint accounts.

#11: Make appropriate changes to protect your assets

Finally, take appropriate action to protect your own assets. Change the locks on your doors. Change the PIN on your debit and credit cards. Don’t forget to cancel any joint credit cards or lines of credit, unless you and your ex have worked out a different solution.

Taking care of all these details will leave you little time to mope. When it’s all done, you can settle back with the bonbons, the Scotch, or the late night movie. Better luck next time.

excerpt from TechRepublic

On the eve of Typhoon Reming

If it doesn’t flood in your house when it rains, and if your computer and internet connection contraption are at least 4 feet from the lowest level area in your living room, and you still have electricity and phone lines and therefore an internet connection, you might want to discover the utter usefulness of torrents.

I think the next most expensive thing in this country to software are books. And as usual, a utility has been made on the Internet to solve this problem. Torrents.

Torrents, simply put, are segments of files that are stored on several computers and are made available through peer-to-peer file sharing. My son calls it Limewire on steroids.

First of all you need a torrent client. My son recommends uTorrent, because it’s simple and fast. He also recommends isohunt, meganova, mininova and torrentspy. My latest discovery is ebookshare.net.

I have downloaded volumes of e-books in chm format into my barebones computer, which look like the help files that come with Windows programs. Adobe PDF versions of various Dummies books are also available for those who know where to look.

Don’t you just love the Internet …