Online Profile Scams
I was recently contacted (via an online platform) by a person I had known for close to 30 years. He was telling me about a HUD program where citizens could apply to receive cash (up to 150,000), and were not obligated to pay it back. I was puzzled as on the one hand...
Should You Pay Invoices from IDNS?
IDNS is a supposed technology company that sends businesses unsolicited invoices (they refer to them as only as notifications although they look like an invoice) for domain registrations and other services. The invoiced services (example shown below) are...
Selecting and Managing Passwords
What makes a password unsafe? Is the password a dictionary word (ex. monkey, superman, dragon, password, etc.)? Is the password something common (ex. abc123, 123456, iloveyou, etc.)? Typically employing automated scripts, hackers frequently use dictionary and...
Beware of Fake Microsoft Tech Support Scams
I received a call today from a call center in India. I know it was a call center because I could hear countless other people in the background. The woman on the other end of the phone claimed to be a representative from Microsoft. She claimed that there was a...
Have Your Username/Password Combos Been Compromised in a Data Breech?
By now most everyone has heard about one or more of the data breeches that have occurred at Adobe, Equifax, LinkedIn, Stratfor, and others. In many cases, after a company has it's data compromised, the data often makes it onto the 'dark' web where it is bought, sold,...
Fake RFQ/Purchase Order Scams Becoming More Sophisticated
For many years I have received fake RFQs and purchase orders through e-mail. Usually they are obvious fakes written in poor English and with few embellishments. Opening my mail this morning however I found one that is more sophisticated (shown below). In this example...
Deadly Dolls and Killer Cars: 5 Internet of Things Attacks
Deadly Dolls and Killer Cars: 5 Internet of Things Attacks by Calyptix. August 9th, 2017 It’s no secret: millions of IoT (Internet of Things) devices have terrible security. Yet people continue to buy them and they continue to surface in cyberattacks. But does...
Desktop Computer Brand Comparison
Desktop Computer Brand Comparison An IT veteran's opinion on which Desktop PC to buy next. Having worked professionally with computers and servers for over 20 years, I've seen a lot of computer manufacturers come and go. As things stand...
In Defense of Microsoft Windows
In Defense of Microsoft Windows by Matt Logan. September 2012 The core of this essay was originally written as a response to the verbal flogging my acquaintance (Montgomery S.) was giving Microsoft products recently. Another person had asked the group which...
What are “SSDs” or Solid State Hard Drives/Disks?
What are “SSDs” or Solid State Hard Drives/Disks? And Should I Buy One? (Subtitled - Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead!) by Matt Logan September 2012 Are They Everything People Are Saying? Let me begin by answering with a resounding, “YES!” Solid State Hard...