RollAround Ads and You

The RollAround Ads (aka "PUP.Optional.RollAround.A" or any variant)

This is very disturbing!  As always check with a local computer technician expert on matters regarding your PC and safety.

So as some of you may or may not be aware, not only have I worked extensively on computer technology and electronics for a fair amount of my life including childhood, I'm also going to college where I'm learning even more about said technology and the concepts therein to become a fully capable, competent, and respected computer technician.  This is what I've done in the past, this is what I do for both a hobby and for education, and I am always happy to share my data with anyone who wants to inspect my work.

As part of being an aware computer-savvy technician, I'm always looking to new improvements to computer tech, as well as the network security news, and all matters related to consumer PC safety including online habits.  Before reading up on any new information, my first priority is to make sure that my own PC's, both my desktops and my laptops, run at their peak efficiency, and that they are all virus free, malware-free, and spyware-free (or at least, as much as humanly possible with scans runs on a somewhat frequent basis about once or twice a week, more if I find hidden viruses or malware previously undetected).

I've spent the last 72 hours determining the extent of the problem that exists with certain malware that has been showing up recently in my weekly security sweeps on my laptops.  The following information is for anyone that doesn't know about RollAround popups adware/malware.  Your anti-virus or anti-malware software may not even detect it for weeks, even months.  Mine certainly did not, and again I run security scans at least twice a week on my own computers, and at least bi weekly on the rest of the devices and computers on my home network.

At first, I had not heard about "RollAround" AdWare / Malware, so to me it's relatively new.  After extensive research, I have found that it's been around for years.  I don't know how far back it goes, but it was simply too disturbing to ignore.

From what I've read, "PUP.Optional.RollAround.A" or some variant disguises itself as a persistent cookie installed onto your computer via one of your favorite browsers, say Firefox for example.  You might be asking the same question I did when I researched this relatively new tracking tool, and you'd be right to say to yourself "I didn't opt to participate in this tracking cookie.  How do I get it off my system?  How did I get it in the first place?"  Well, that last part I'm working on for myself.  Apparently, just by visiting any site that uses these special persistent cookies, you've automatically agreed to it.  At least, that's how their legal terms and conditions states it.  You can always opt-out, and even block cookies specifically, but unless you REALLY know what you're doing, it can be a tedious task, and one that can change the way you access your frequently visited websites.  I was especially surprised that the community college I go to has this cookie on their website, and I have used both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox interchangeably, and have frequently deleted cookies to make sure my site visits aren't tracked, even marked the checkbox in Chrome and in Firefox "Do Not Track" or their respective equivalents.  Though, it's obvious that even my weekly scans haven't given me any indication up until recently that there was anything mischievous going on with my PC systems.  I had no clue whatsoever, and I had been constantly trying to figure out why my systems would run so sluggish.

RollAround malware/adware tracks everything from your online viewing preferences, to shopping habits, purchases, what sites you do or don't visit, even if the visit is accidental (So, even if you inadvertently click on an ad that sends you to that awful porn site, it'll track that and think that's your preference).  It can run even when you're not physically on your PC, but your computer is still running and connected to the internet.  This is another reason I like to turn off my PC nightly, but I haven't been because I want security and other updates to occur while I sleep.  There's always the option, if you have it available, of turning off all network traffic via your firewall, or disconnecting from the router or cable modem directly and physically.  However, that still doesn't solve the problem of what to do with this malware.

I truly thought I had a handle on it just yesterday after running three full and complete scans with both MalwareBytes' "Anti-Malware" scanner, and Norton Antivirus provided by my ISP Comcast / Xfinity (don't judge, I just prefer to NOT go with Dial-Up or DSL if I can help it).  For whatever reason, it keeps popping up on my system.  From what I've researched, these cookies can come from any number of [now questionably] reputable companies like Microsoft, Yahoo, and other companies with investments in online shopping, and online ordering, who want YOUR data, your shopping habits, your internet browsing patterns, what products and services you find interesting, what products and services you don't buy, etc.  While this is NOT a new tactic for businesses, what is new is the legal loophole that they've all found to install software onto your computer without your knowledge, and then leave an opt-out open for anyone who doesn't want their data tracked, but even using that tool doesn't guarantee that your information, your browsing habits data, won't be tracked by other companies who use the same technology.

So here are your options from the way I see it after trying to either deal with or remove this garbage from your PC (and mine when I encounter it in my scans):

1. Accept it.  It's pretty safe to say that this new legal technicality where just by visiting a website, your data on a site you've visited or are visiting, even by accident, could be tracked, even if everything you do tells that site you don't want to be tracked.  By now, it's fair to say it's a standard practice for nearly every company that does business online to use this tracking software.  Even non-internet businesses, reputable business use this strategy when concocting advertising and sales.  There is the supposed idea that your data is kept confidential, but I question that when I get dozens of ads unrelated to what I'm viewing.  For better understanding of this practice, I suggest watching the episode "Attack of the Killer App" from the TV series "Futurama" (available on Netflix as long as Netflix doesn't replace it with something crappy).  Although the episode features technology slightly different from a PC, the message in it is clear.  You want convenience?  You pay a price.  This is that price!
2. Go "Off the Grid".  Put your tin foil hats on, because conspiracy theorists are gonna go ape-shit over this.  Like I said earlier, this practice is not new, but the way it's being done is relatively new from the perspective of a computer / internet consumer.  Many people, fed up with the way their data is being collected, dissected, analyzed, and processed into relevant ads for their personal preference, will often take to "cutting the digital cord" by not using any and all electronic devices, including computers, tablets, smartphones, etc.  Even using their old TV could be "beaming commercial ads into your brain" while you sleep.  I have personally never believed that last part, but if you feel you can handle being off all electronic devices, more power to you.  Though as I said before, this practice is still in use offline as much as it is done online.
3. Customize your online experience.  There are ways to limit what data is collected, tools that have been (only recently) built into consumer grade internet browsers.  Tools like "private browsing" where no cookies are stored, no data is shared, and your browsing habits are only minimally tracked, if at all.  I've not yet had a chance to test this option specifically to verify that is what happens, but since it's my job to know what internet-related news including network security threats are out there, I might for one week try this method of "private browsing" and see if it works.  Though, you can, without going to "private mode", "incognito" or "InPrivate Browsing" depending on your preferred browser, customize your browsing software to accept cookies only from certain sites, especially from those specific sites you frequent the most so that the accidental click of a pornographic ad won't lead to your browser sending personal data about your "accidental" porn viewing habits.  While I disagree on some of those clicks being "accidental", it does happen even to the most careful user where they'll click on an ad that leads to a pornographic website.  There are other ways, other software that is designed to block ads so that this doesn't happen to you, but now it's just getting convoluted and complicated to keep your browsing data from being collected, even "accidental" data being transmitted.
4. Run Anti-Malware, Anti-spyware, and antivirus scans regularly.  This should go without saying.  Be self-conscious about internet safety.  Like myself, you may have been as careful as you could possibly be, but that ONE accidental click could end up putting you in a compromising position of having to explain why suddenly your PC now redirects to pornographic websites to your significant other, your loved ones, etc.  While that may or may not be difficult depending on how well your loved ones know you, it doesn't hurt to do the prudent thing and run scans at least once every two weeks, or more frequent depending on your online viewing habits, just to be safe rather than sorry.

On a final note, this practice is how companies as well as would-be identity thieves and scammers are able to send targeted spam email (and regular snail mail) to your inbox, attempting to sway you into either buying their ridiculous product, or getting suckered into a scam that costs you all of your finances.  Just because you practice safe internet browsing doesn't mean everyone else who uses your PC will do the same.  As I found out, even (supposedly) reputable companies are not honoring their commitment to keeping your data confidential and safe.  They'll sell it to whomever they can, even to lowest bidders, just to get that extra $1.25 per click.  

So, do us computer technicians a favor.  When we attempt to help you with cleaning your PC system, be honest.  Even with those "accidental" clicks on porn ads, that information could be extremely helpful in finding out why your system is being infected so aggressively and frequently.  We're not here to judge you, make fun of you, or embarrass you in front of others like your family or friends, we're here to help.  If there's been a mistake in online internet browsing, own up to it.  Even if you don't think ANYONE in your household has done so, admit the possibility that mistakes do happen.  I've long thought, and am still a believer in the fact that computers do not make mistakes.  Humans often do, even if they're not totally aware of it.  

I'll do my best to keep you all updated on this and other internet/computer/network security related tips.  Please feel free to comment.  If you'd like me to answer a question, or research a related topic, please feel free to email me at "halfblind79@gmail.com".  Thank you!

Cryptolocker Virus and You

I came across this article Cryptolocker Virus News Article and believed it was noteworthy to point out some good tips and ideas drawing from experience.

First off, these viruses are usually the result of visiting sites that are less than reputable.  Never submit information on a website you don't trust or (let's be honest) is completely riddled with pornographic images.  Secondly,  always keep your anti-virus updated with the latest definitions.  Third, keep your anti-malware scanner software updated as well.  Lastly, even with the latest updates on both antivirus and anti-malware, it does you no good if you don't run regular scans on your PC.  Most PC techs will tell you to run a scan at least once a week or more often depending on your web surfing activity.

Depending on your antivirus program, be sure to visit its website for information on this virus, and tips on how to prevent it from giving you trouble on your PC.  A good rule of thumb for myself is that I clean my browser history, delete my cookies, and run every scan possible with both my anti-virus and anti-malware software programs at least twice a week.  This is not because of pornographic sites, but because I do a lot of research both on black hat sites and white hat sites.  I have to be well versed in network security.  But for the average user, a scan of both programs at least once a week is more than prudent.

Also, if you have children, please limit their internet activities, set parental controls, and block websites entirely if you think there may be some questionable content.  For more information, please visit the following sites I believe to be helpful:

Microsoft.com
Symantec.com - For Norton security products.
McAfee.com - For McAfee security products.
avg.com - For AVG security products.
kaspersky.com - Kaspersky Security products.

If you still need help, please contact a PC technician immediately for assistance.  Also keep in mind that like with any new virus or computer or network security issue, updates are being put together as fast as humanly possible.  Patches are being made, and updates are being designed to close loopholes.  Be sure to keep up-to-date on all updates (whether you're a MAC or PC user).

For more information, contact your network or system administrator if in a work environment.

US and UK spy agencies defeat privacy and security on the internet (Courtesy: www.theguardian.com)

This latest blog I wanted to share because of the rise of concern over privacy and security.  I felt it necessary to write about this after reading the following link:

US and UK spy agencies defeat privacy and security on the internet

(http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/05/nsa-gchq-encryption-codes-security#_=_)

I stumbled upon this when I was checking my "Google+" account.  To be fair, I haven't read the article in its entirety.  Though playing devil's advocate, I can see some potential benefits to this happening.  And because of the rise in concern over privacy and security after the recent leak of NSA (National Security Agency) domestic eavesdropping, I felt it necessary to point out some of the potential benefits here as opposed to the potential pitfalls some folks jump to (the conspiracy theorists).

The first and foremost benefit is this:  It's better this happens by the United States and the United Kingdom's spy agencies than have it happen by someone with less-than-honorable reasons.  Let's face it, everyone would be in an uproar if someone in a much more foreign (and hostile) sovereign power did it.  I'd be in total concern that someone broke my encryption codes in a foreign hostile region than my own government.  Besides, unless I'm doing something completely illegal, I have nothing to hide.

Another benefit to this development is that because of this government sanctioned "breach", a "white hat" or ethical hacker (someone who is paid to legally break into secure networks and computer systems) can find solutions to such breaches of security and privacy, and find new countermeasures and defenses against such cyber attacks.

Suppose these "white hats" didn't exist.  Let's just say for the sake of argument that our governments weren't proactive in setting up these legal breaches, who would be responsible for the safety and security of our computer systems and networks?  The manufacturer's?  The individual public users?  "Black Hats"?  Those are the folks we really should worry about.  They are the ones who hack for many reasons.  Primary reasons include greed, bragging rights, and to "just have fun".  Sometimes, although rare, "Black Hats" have been used for political cyber attacks on politician's systems, networks, etc.  

My personal suggestion to get an idea of what this all means, watch the movie "Live Free or Die Hard".  In this movie, they talk of something hackers everywhere both live for and fear called a "fire sale".  I won't explain the details of which since they are explained in the movie, and while I don't think it'd actually happen, it's a very real worry.  "White hats" who work on government payroll are constantly working on making sure someone or a group of people are not able to perform this theoretical "fire sale".

One final thought on this subject, for those of us in I.T. (Information Technology)/I.S. (Information Security) industries, this can be a useful development, because it means someone is already working on solutions and remedies to counteract such breaches and cyber attacks.  Those of us in said industries are working hard to keep up with developments like this so that we can do our job that much more effectively and efficiently.  The last thing we want is for someone to blame us for something that wasn't within our control, or even a degree of control.  

Have questions or need something explained?  Send me an email at halfblind79@gmail.com, and I'll do my best to either answer your question or provide an explanation.  If I cannot, I'll point you in the right direction.  If you'd like your question or explanation featured in a blog, let me know too!  Thanks for reading. 

Basic Terminology (Jargon)

If you're anything like me, you get tired of people who term components of a computer incorrectly.  It's annoying, frustratingly confusing, and worst yet is when a consumer/customer gives you an incorrect term, it can lead you to the wrong conclusion, which leads to an incorrect solution, and therefore a very unhappy customer because now they feel they've not only been misled to believe you can help, but it also reflects badly on your organization.

This post is NOT for those of you who are like me.  No, this is a post for the average "joe" consumer who, over the past 25 years has heard the usage of terms through second- and third-hand accounts of computer trouble being handled improperly, mostly because a tech was given incorrect terms.

The purpose of this post is to (hopefully) educate the consumer public, the tech support caller, and the general computer operator / user on proper terminology when speaking tech to a tech.  Let's face it, when you use incorrect terms, it can mean the difference between getting your problem solved or mishandled, sometimes worse.

It's a lot like negotiations in business.  You can make or break a deal using either the right or wrong words or phrases.  Only instead of losing a million dollar contract, you might lose your data on your PC system including important spreadsheets for your job, important contacts, or in the case of the home user you might lose precious pictures that haven't been processed for actual photo prints, videos of your family's invaluable moments in your lives, your email, sometimes even your family medical and financial history.  We have to face the reality that in today's world, the PC system is much more than a business tool.  It has become a tool for the home user, and when it fails with no backup system in place (hard-copies, physical items in a safe, etc) we lose a piece of ourselves with it.

The following are a list of proper terms.  This is not an all-inclusive list, but it should illustrate some key differences in how we think about a computer system.

RAM - Random Access Memory.  This is a component of your computer with both physical and virtual parts to it.  The physical part is the memory module chip that is installed inside your PC system.  Sometimes it can be removed and replaced with an upgraded chip or set of chips.  Usually rectangular in design, small, and relatively inexpensive, though for higher memory upgrades, the prices do go up.  This part of the computer is what stores information (temporarily) when accessing data (files like spreadsheets, databases, word processing documents, pictures, music files, even the internet), and writes data to the hard drive after being temporarily stored for use.

ROM - Read-Only Memory.  Just like it describes, this is a type of memory that can only be read, and not written to.  Things like date/time, processor information, hard drive data, internal components are stored here, and are for general informational use.  It's not meant for modification or manipulation.

CD - ROM - Compact Disc Read Only Memory.  Just like ROM, the information stored on a CDROM Disc is meant for general use and cannot be modified or written to (with some exceptions).  Sometimes it can be software, firmware for a product, or filled with data files pertaining to a product or device.  There are different types of "CDROM" discs, but we'll cover that later.

CD - ROM / DVD - ROM Drive - This is a component of the computer system that reads discs.  Depending on how old the system is, it might ONLY read CDROM software discs and music CDs.  If it's a newer system, chances are it's a DVD-ROM drive where it can read most types of discs.  Some examples are CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R/DVD+R*, and DVD-RW/DVD+RW* as well as music CDs, photo CDs, regular movie DVDs, etc.

*Note - There is a difference between the (-) disc and the (+) disc.  A good discussion on what the difference is, and what the benefits are of each can be found on C|Net's discussion forum here - LINK

A little side remark about CDROMs and CDROM/DVDROM drives, customers/consumers use these two terms interchangeably, so be careful in providing the right term when speaking to a technician.  It can mean the difference between you having to either buy a new disc or buying a new CDROM drive (which depending on your system specifications can get expensive, and we haven't even discussed labor costs).

CPU - Central Processing Unit.  This is a processor chip that drives your computer.  It's the brains of the whole operation.  This is what provides the billions of calculations per second, handles all components inside the system, and assigns tasks to said components while still controlling the flow of data between your hard drive (we'll discuss that term as well) and the installed RAM.  Some home users believe that their entire PC tower is the CPU.  We'll get to explaining that later.  Without the CPU chip, the computer system is nothing more than a dead and expensive paperweight.  A quick note here.  If the chip were to malfunction or all-of-a-sudden NOT WORK, the computer system will turn on, but nothing would boot.  The OS, the BIOS, NOTHING would go.  And yes, we'll discuss those terms, too!  Although unlikely to fail, when it does, you'll know it well before the tech does.

HDD - Hard Disk Drive.  This is an internal component in your PC system that handles the semi-permanent storage of your computer data, including your Operating System (OS).  In the early days of computers, Hard Drives didn't exist.  Data was stored on what were called "Floppy Disks" in FDDs (Floppy Disk Drives).  Because of the decline in the use of Floppy Disks, we won't even go over that topic (unless you're a hardcore computer technician that's worked on them for 30+ years).  Once again, should this component malfunction for whatever reason (corrupt drive, virus, missing OS), the computer will turn on, even boot the BIOS, but after that nothing will load.  Only a cursor that might say something like "Bad or missing data" or "No Operating System Found"!  Another quick note, be careful what you delete on your drive, and in fact, never delete any file you are unsure about.  It may mean the difference between being able to load your Operating System, and having to either have a tech reload software for your OS, or buy a new PC altogether.  Also, run virus checks as well as general maintenance checks (defrag, ScanDisk, backup, etc) regularly.

Once again, the average user will sometimes say "My hard drive failed, and I can't load anything!".  This is another example of incorrect usage, although sometimes they will be right on the money.  Consumers often mix-up CPU & Hard Drive to describe the fact that their computer has failed.  What they say, and what they mean are not necessarily incompatible, but often times they are.  So be sure to know your terms before you ask a tech for help.

Computer Monitor Screen - Whether it's the old CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) big ass box with a screen, or the newer LCD displays, this is what displays all the information from your PC including the OS, your data files, music, video clips, your internet sites that you visit, that Facebook or Twitter account you frequently check for updates, your email, etc.  Consumers often mistake this for it being their whole computer, and often times it's just the display itself that has failed, although certain exceptions can occur.  A good rule of thumb is to make sure it's NOT the display by using another one in its place and running the computer.  If you are able to see the computer loading, then it's not something inside the PC.  If you cannot, it's a good bet something else is going wrong.

Computer Tower (Tower Chassis) - The box that houses all the above components (along with other key elements) of a computer.  It also has blinking lights, a power light, and often will include the ever-popular power button.  On newer systems, it may even include USB ports, memory card slots, and microphone / headphone jack ports.  This is where consumers mix this term up with CPU, HDD, and OS.  If something fails, they will usually use this term first before they get to the correct term.  Some of the components inside besides the RAM, HDD, CD/DVD ROM drives are:

1) Video Card - This is what connects your LCD or CRT display monitor and allows you to view your system data whether it's your internet sites, your data files, your pictures, etc.  The older systems might require these, but on newer systems, the video feed is "On-board" meaning it's integrated into the system.  This has been explained in another blog entry.

2) Sound Card - Ever wonder how you are able to hear music files, video clips, and other sounds from your PC?  It's usually from the sound card plugged into your speakers via a 3.5mm speaker jack port.  On older systems, it's not necessarily required, especially on business-class PC systems.  On newer systems, just like the video card, it can now be integrated into the system without you having to buy an unnecessary item.

3) LAN/NIC Card - LAN (Local Area Network) or NIC (Network Interface Controller) card is what connects you to your network whether its your ISP, your router, your Network Hub, etc.  It's what controls the traffic of data and information between your PC and the World Wide Web/Internet.  Once again, older systems might require a separate controller card to be installed in order to use the network.  On newer systems, like the video and sound, it's now being integrated into the PC so you don't have to take it apart to install.  The standard cable to use on this is the ethernet cable or RJ-45 cable jack.

4) Dial-Up Modem - Although now considered archaic, this was widely used on systems older than 2003.  It was considered the industry standard to have a 56k (that's 56 kilobits) modem connecting to a dial-up network (D-U-N) provider.  These types of modems usually use the RJ-11 jack cable, otherwise known as "telephone cable" like the one used when plugged into a wall to either a standard telephone, or the more widely used portable phone with a power base.  Some consumers use the term "Modem", and those of us techs old enough to know the difference between DSL, Cable, etc think of dial-up modems automatically.  Just be sure to let the tech know what type of connection you do have.  If you don't know, please call your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and find out.  Most of the time, if you get a bill from your provider, you should already know.

Some PCs are coming out with "Wireless" capability built-in, which replaces the need for ethernet wire or NIC cards.  Though be sure to let your tech know the difference by describing if you are using a wireless connection to your network, or if it's wired in.  The reason being is that we techs have to change our approach in dealing with network problems when it's one or the other.  Obviously we can't use tactics to fix a wired network problem on a wireless network, and vice-versa.

5) USB (Universal Serial Bus) port - This is a relatively newer type of port that can connect devices such as cameras, webcams, scanners, printers, and about a 100 other types of devices.  Some debate has been going on for some devices whether you can have the computer running and plug a device in.  Although it is considered "hot-swappable" (meaning the device can be plugged/unplugged while the computer is in operation), some devices require that you install software either before or after a device is plugged in.  Without getting into the technical detail, let's just say that the computer has to be aware of the device before or after software installation that controls your device.  I've yet to see a USB port "die" or fail, but when it does there's usually nothing you can do except maybe buy a USB hub or buy a new system.  It's cheaper to buy a USB hub and plug it into a working USB port.

6) Power Supply - DO NOT under any circumstance try to repair this item inside your PC.  You CAN, however, replace it yourself or have a tech do it.  It supplies power directly inside the PC to load your system and provide you with access to your PC relatively quickly.  Without it, your computer won't work.  The caveat to this is the fact that although the power supply can fail, the computer won't necessarily have to be replaced.  However, if the failure is severe enough, like say during a powerful thunderstorm with lightning, it can fail to such a degree that your computer is rendered useless, even after repair.  When users have come to me complaining their computer won't turn on, this is what I check first.  I check to see if A) the computer's power cord is plugged in to a working socket, and B) if it can display information on the monitor screen.  Although techs know when the power supply fails, it can sometimes be a challenge for the average consumer to know the difference between a hard drive failure and a power supply failure.  A good rule of thumb is simply if you can get power to the PC, it's NOT the power supply.  If you press the power button and absolutely nothing happens, it's a good bet your power supply is fried like chicken.


So next time you go to your PC systems administrator or a PC specialist tech, please be aware of these basic terms.  It can mean the difference between you getting your PC fixed, or being frustrated with the PC tech because there's been a misunderstanding between you both, and you both walk away feeling frustrated one way or another.

Have questions or need something explained?  Send me an email at halfblind79@gmail.com, and I'll do my best to either answer your question or provide an explanation.  If I cannot, I'll point you in the right direction.  If you'd like your question or explanation featured in a blog, let me know too!  Thanks for reading.

Until then, keep your "cookies" tuned in!  :-D

Hoax Warnings vs. Real Warnings & You

We've all seen them.  Someone posts an email, a status update on Facebook, MySpace (blech), etc, and it usually says something to the effect of "DO NOT ADD [insert person's name]!  This person is a [insert hacker, pedophile, sex predator, or some automated implanted virus].  While there may be some truth to this, I would exercise caution on these warnings about certain individuals to your Facebook/MySpace/Whatever!  There are individuals out there who would love to prank an unsuspecting victim with a virus, or a video clip that is embedded with a virus.


Admittedly, I fell victim to something like this years ago on MySpace, and to date, my entire internet-connected family thinks it was I who initiated the whole thing.  Bottom line, if the video clip doesn't seem like the kind of thing your friend or family member wouldn't post, i.e. Grandma posting a pornographic video clip that just doesn't seem like something she'd do, or post an obscene message, it's a good bet that either her account has been hacked, or someone imitated your Grandmother's name, sometimes a very obvious misspelling, and posted to your wall.  In other words, don't click the link.  Contact your friend or family member by phone, or talk to them in person if possible, and get the facts straight.  My suggestion is to not jump to conclusions about any link, video clip, picture post or any other post that seems out of character for that person.


With all that being said, I stumbled across a message from a friend on my Facebook account from Snopes.com about a "Don't Add" Warning!  While I understand it's message of caution, I like to think that people would use common sense.  A few things to think about when seeing these warning messages:


1) Do I know this person / website / organization?  If the answer is no, it's a good bet you're not going to add them anyway.  In fact, the names listed will probably sound like generic names that could be just about anyone in the world trying to glean information off your PC using a keylogger virus, or by some other method.  This opens up your friends list (especially on Facebook/Twitter/MySpace) to their list of targets.  In other words, EXERCISE caution whenever possible.


2) Do I recognize that email address?  Hackers are pretty sneaky, and there are some REALLY gullible people out there who think to themselves "Oh that must be....[insert relationship status here with a name]!  I guess I just wrote their email address wrong!"  You'd be surprised how often this is the case.  If there is any doubt in your mind, and I mean ANY doubt whatsoever, my personal suggestion is do NOT add that email address or handle ID to your Instant Message programs (Y! Instant Messenger, AIM, MSN/Windows Live Instant Messenger, Skype, etc).  Better to be safe than sorry later.


3) Have I contacted this person without the use of a computer?  If the answer here is no, there's no need to go any further.  Just delete the request, and move along with your daily social media and instant message usage as normal.


The key piece of logic to remember here is that if they don't sound like someone you know, you're better off getting a complaint by phone from that friend rather than risk getting scammed.  I refer to my previous blog entry here Email Spam and You where it mentions "If it's too good to be true, it's probably not true."  The opposite can also be applied here.  "If it sounds too far fetched and bad to be true, it probably is."  If you're ever unsure, contact a PC specialist in your area.  Many offer a free or low-cost consultation.  If you're concerned about privacy, find a member of your family that has some extensive troubleshooting experience.  You may end up saving yourself some time, some frustration, and of course the biggie, MONEY!!


Have a comment? Suggestion? A topic you'd like to have discussed on my blog? Email me at halfblind79@gmail.com. And if I don't know the answer, I'll post up information on who to ask, where to go, or what to do to get your answer. :) Until then, have a great day, and I hope you've enjoyed reading my computer tips so far!

Customer Service in General (By Chris Minagil)

Okay, so this kind of is NOT exclusively a post about computers, but it is related to how we, the consumers of the public, treat customer service representatives, billing representatives, and technical support representatives in general.  On my first post, I mentioned how best to approach an issue when calling a technical support help desk, but this goes far beyond what I wanted to say.  I'd like to take the opportunity to thank my friend, Chris Minagil, for writing what I have wanted to say for years, but felt I couldn't because of certain... implications and certain legal ramifications.  The following is what he wrote in a note on Facebook.  Feel free to give me your comments, and as always, if you have a question of a technical nature, please feel free to email me at halfblind79@gmail.com.

Over the years many of us have had the opportunity to obtain service from another person for goods and/or services ranging from pumping gas, ordering fast food, arranging travel, tech support in any capacity, or speaking with a local utility.  Many of these transactions can be pleasant or unpleasant regardless of outside circumstances based upon the customer service aspect alone.  This is a small guideline (or perhaps a personal wish-list) for those who wish to keep these experiences as a customer and a service provider as positive as possible.

1.  Speak with a smile and use voice inflection.  Regardless of your disposition, an aggressive tone tends to shut people off to your cause.  If you are providing service this will cause your patron to not want to talk to you and your business will lose money (or your job if it happens too frequently).  If you are a customer this may cause the person providing the service to you to not want to speak with you and deny any requests or cause a very short and terse conversation as a reaction to your attitude.  Smiling whilst speaking is a fantastic way to brighten your outward appearance (physically and audibly) and help make the conversation just a little more pleasant, plus when you add a more pleasant voice inflection it gives the appearance that you actually care (regardless if you are even paying attention or not).  Customers and customer service representatives don't generally get angry with people that sound happy and are seemingly paying attention regardless of the situation.

2. Read and understand the fine print before you agree to it.  Many companies have Terms and Conditions, aka fine print or T&C, that governs the products you purchase.  Certain conditions such as non-refundable, non-cancelable, non-transferable, photo ID required, time restrictions, as well as location restrictions and age restrictions.  These terms are there to not only protect the company providing the service/products to you but to protect your interests and rights as a consumer from people that would defraud you.  Knowing these terms and understanding that many companies do not bend them for simple convenience based reasons will make your purchase process and their customer service process much simpler.

3. Shop around before committing and don't be afraid to look in multiple places for the best deal.  Most customer service representatives will be more than happy to discuss one or two options in person or over the telephone, but refrain from monopolizing their time for too long as other people are shopping too and may require the same assistance you are receiving.  You'd be amazed at how different prices can vary on the same product, as well as how many companies have items like a price guarantee or a price match option.  It never hurts to ask what the terms are, but make sure if this is something you are interested in make sure you get all the details or it won't work when you try to use it.

4. Know all your details before you buy.  If you are purchasing something age sensitive, gender sensitive, or something date sensitive you need to make 100% certain you have all the details or those T&C mentioned above could come back to bite you.  Leaving dates "general" or not knowing full names, birthdates, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses can leave you in a bit of a lurch especially if what you're purchasing is time sensitive or nonrefundable.  If you guess and get it wrong there could be penalties involved in fixing the issue (if fixable at all, airline tickets can't change names once issued).

5. If you have an issue kind words go further than yelling and a bad attitude.  Please understand that you are speaking with human beings on the other end of the phone, and just like you they generally don't respond well to angry demands and general abuse.  You can still get your point across if you have an issue or that you feel you may have been dis-serviced, please refrain from calling anybody names as this will only strengthen the customer service representatives resolve to NOT help you fix your problem.  Also make certain that you are calling about something they can help you with in the first place and not get mad if what you're asking has already been covered in the T&C you may or may not have reviewed when you paid for the service/product.  Now, please don't be offended by any customer service individuals if they are in good spirits and you're not.  They understand the gravity of your situation and are indeed trying to help you, they are simply trying to keep the best attitude possible in the face of adversity.

The number one complaint of many people regarding certain companies is the (lack of) customer service, and in many instances those same companies customer service individuals have similar gripes about the customers for many of the same reasons.  Please do us all a favor and spread a little kindness, or at least tone down the negativity, so the rest of the world can get on with their day and feel good about putting food on their family's tables and a roof over their heads.

I'd love to share some horror stories (from both CS and customer perspectives), but that's just unprofessional.  Maybe I'll save that for another time :)

KVM Switchbox (TRENDnet)

Once again, I find myself reviewing a product that I think is wonderful, and yet so simple!!  Normally, I don't like to review items until I have had a chance to use them for at least a month (or at the very least a week), but this is going to be one of those exceptions.  I don't know why I didn't think of something like this years ago.

I'm talking, of course, about the use of KVM switch boxes.  This little devices are so very cool, and yet offer the simplest of solutions to a very common dilemma.  Say you have two or more computers that you want to use, but you only have one keyboard, mouse, and monitor.  The solution?  A KVM switch box.  It's a great way to have control over multiple computer systems without having to purchase a separate keyboard, mouse, and monitor for each.

The particular product I'd like to review is the TRENDnet 2-port KVM switch with integrated cables (the TK-205i model).  It's a relatively simple setup.  You simply plug in the hardwired KVM cables into the appropriate monitor, mouse, and keyboard ports on each computer system, then you plug in a mouse, keyboard, and monitor into the central hub.  The device comes with a couple of neat little features.  First, you have a button in the middle that you can use to switch back and forth between computers.  Second, if you're lazy like I am, you can alternatively use keyboard shortcuts to switch back and forth as well.

Below you will find a picture of this model to get a better idea of what it is you would be purchasing.  Remember, this is the model I, myself, purchased, but there are other models and makes out there that are just as good, if not better.

TRENDnet 2-port KVM Switch with Integrated Cables (Model TK-205i)

 

There are a couple of noteworthy limitations to using this particular model.  One, you don't have the option of splitting the audio between computers, although for a little bit more money, you can purchase another model with that function.  Second, this particular model uses a PS/2 port for both the keyboard and the mouse, and unfortunately, most models either have only PS/2 or USB ports, and not a combo of both.  This was a little disheartening as I wanted to use my USB optical mouse, and even with the PS/2 adapter that it came with, I couldn't use it.  But for the amount I paid for it (I got it used for a little under $10), I can't really complain too much.

Overall, I highly recommend using this type of product (this model included) if you plan on using two or more computers, and especially if you're going to be changing the role of your computer systems like I am.  

Have a comment? Suggestion? A topic you'd like to have discussed on my blog? Email me at halfblind79@gmail.com. And if I don't know the answer, I'll post up information on who to ask, where to go, or what to do to get your answer. :) Until then, have a great day, and I hope you've enjoyed reading my computer tips so far!

Email Spam and You

(WARNING TO READERS:  This entry may contain adult content, language, and some sexual content not suitable for minors under the age of 18!)

Howdy, folks!  I thought I'd follow up to an earlier blog entry concerning emails, and go a little bit into SPAM messages.  We all know what they are, and we all hate spam, but some people around the world are constantly being duped by these false promising emails.  What can you do to protect yourself and avoid being a victim?  What are some of the tools that anyone can use to avoid being tricked by someone in Nigeria or Libya?  Do you have recourse if you've become an unfortunate victim?  We'll go over some of those questions, and cover some basic practices that should be used on a routine basis.

First off, what is a spam email message?  What does it look like?  A spam email message, for the most part, is an attempt to lure you into either a false product, service, or trapping you into a financial nightmare.  Some spam email is designed to exploit a sexual desire, or perhaps a financial ambition, but ultimately, they are designed to scam you, and leave you high and dry.  Secondly, preventing spam is a lot like preventing the sun from rising to start the day.  You just simply can't stop it, but there are ways to either avoid it, or at the least spot when one is attempting to "dupe" you into its lure.  Lastly, if you've been duped, DON'T PANIC!!  That's the worst thing anyone can do in any situation.  Calm down, realize that there could be a potential mess ahead, and focus on one problem at a time.  This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Let's talk a little bit about some of the more common spam messages that are received DAILY!!  There are three main categories of spam email messages.  There's 1) Financial spam, 2) sexual spam, and 3) prize spam.  Each of these categories have a few things in common, they all want YOU to THINK that you NEED one of these things, or that YOU are stupid enough to think it's genuine.  They also want your money, and they also want to scam everyone you know out of their money too.

1) Sexual Spam - These should be obvious!  They'll promise to make your dick bigger, harder, longer than ever before, or they'll promise that your girlfriend or wife will be satisfied with the "results" for weeks and months, if not years.  Or perhaps you've been a bit lonely, and the messages will offer companionship of a sexual nature with the message title of "Fuck local women today!"  I would hope that these can be spotted without any blink of an eye at all.  Remember, these messages want YOU to THINK you need their services, products from a sexual standpoint.  Unless you're just that freakin' horny, you really don't need their help, and you especially don't need to waste your money.

2) Financial Spam - These are the messages that some people still have difficulty discerning from the real deal.  There's a simple rule on this one.  If it sounds too good to be true, IT IS!!  There's no exceptions, no "ifs", "ands", or "buts".  The plain and obvious truth is your bank didn't make that kind of error where you'd get millions, or that a deposit of millions has occurred and the bank wants you to verify this.  There's also one going around where it acts as though it's from an official bank message system (usually Bank of America, Wells Fargo, etc) and that a problem with your account occurred, and they want YOUR information to correct it.  First off, your bank already has your information, so there should be no need to re-enter it, and secondly, a bank will never ask you to enter information on a web-based form.  If you feel this might be a legit message, call your bank or financial institution to check.  NEVER enter any information of any kind on a web-based form, period.  If your bank asks you to do this, politely decline and ask for a standard paper form!  Another popular spam message going around is (supposedly) from Paypal.  A couple of good ways to tell if it's a fake is 1) spelling - sometimes spammers get so excited that someone might actually be dumb enough to fall for their lure, they get careless with common words.  This is a good indicator that something may be "fishy" with the email (hence the term "Phishing"), and 2) Check the links - Most email programs, and even AOL users have the feature where if you simply move your mouse over the link (DO NOT click on it), it should tell you what address (URL) it will open.

3) Prize Spam - These spam messages are damned clever if you ask me.  They'll try to convince you that you've won an Xbox, PS3, desktop computer, laptop (netbook/notebook) PC, or that you've won $1 million in some sort of contest.  Again, these should be obvious ploys.  First, unless you really did enter contests, it's safe to assume these are false in any capacity.  And even if you did sign up for a contest, chances are you'd either get something in the mail, or receive a phone call notification of your winnings.  Second, just like the financial spam messages, these too will have grammatical and spelling errors that should be the most blatant indicators of a spam message.  Even some of the email addresses, web addresses, etc will have something wrong with them.  For example, earlier today, I checked a message that my mother received supposedly from PayPal saying she had gotten a credit.  Upon careful examination of the email, I determined that it was false.  Everything looked legit on it, except when it came to looking at who it came from.  The email address was the giveaway when it read "service@paypal.comt"!  Notice anything wrong?  Looks official right?  You'd be wrong.  The extra "t" at the end of the ".com" is there.  Most of the time, messages from PayPal and other like companies will have been auto-generated, meaning it's the same address each and every time.  Remember one of my previous blogs says that computers don't make mistakes, people do.  In this case, when people make mistakes, it can either cost the victim, or the would-be suspect.  With this scenario, the would-be suspect lost, because he or she chose to ignore simple errors thinking that my mother would be dumb enough to fall for it.

Sometimes a spam email message can be very tricky in determining if it's a real message or something designed to lure you.  Here are some general tips to remember when it comes to Spam emails!

1) Sounds Too Good - Common sense will dictate a very simple rule.  If it sounds too good to be true, IT IS!!  I think I speak for every computer tech out there who probably has it screaming in their heads when I say "DON'T OPEN IT!!  JUST DELETE IT!"  Seriously for a moment, if there's any sort of doubt in your mind as to the legitimacy of an email, and I mean any doubt at all, it's best to go on that doubt and delete the message.  Don't even give it any of your time or thought.

2) Check and Double Check - Again, going back to checking the validity of emails.  If you really think it may have come from a legitimate source, it's best to contact that source by alternative means, either from that source's official website, email contact address, or by phone.  Probably best to just use your phone, period.  Don't even give it a second thought.  It's best to be safe than to be sorry!!

3) Different Email, Same Name - Oh, this is one of the more clever practices of spammers.  They'll try to guess the name of your friend to make it seem trustworthy.  Don't be fooled.  Check the email address against the one you know from your friend.  If they don't match, delete the email.  There's one exception to this, and that exception is that your friend might have actually changed their email address.  Check with your friend BY PHONE!  The worst that happens is that they have to resend the email, and you would have to add them to a sort of "Safe Contacts" list.  There are instances when you'll get an email that looks like it's from a friend, but the name will be sort of misspelled.  Again, use a bit of logic, and check with your friend by phone, but if there's any small doubt in your mind, just delete it.

4) Unsubscribe - Some spam messages give you the option to unsubscribe.  This would be a useful idea if it weren't for the fact that 98% of the time it doesn't work, and actually gives companies your email address to send even more spam to.  Until it becomes a federal crime to send spam messages, the unsubscribe function in a spam message is about as useless as a ordinary condom on "Superman".  You can have him put it on, but realistically, it's just for decoration and nothing else.

5) Emailing directly - Some of us have actually gone and done the stupid thing and emailed the spamming offender directly.  Bad idea.  Again, it gives them your email address to spam to even more, and again, it's just a useless idea.  Sure, you'll get your point across, but let's be honest here.  They're not going to give a shit.

6) Contacting authorities - Let's just say that contacting authorities really doesn't provide relief, or any sort of results unless an actual crime has been committed.  And since sending Spam messages isn't exactly illegal, there's nothing any law enforcement agency can do.  Best to not even try.

For the most part, if you use common sense and logic, most of the spam messages you receive will be easily spotted, and you can take the appropriate action of deleting them.  But what if you do get trapped in a scam? Is there any sort of recourse one can take?  Before I close this entry, I want to briefly touch on some advice.

1) DON'T PANIC!! - This is about the worst thing anyone can do in any situation.  Try not to panic, and realize that while there may not be much you can do, you can however try to reduce the impact.  Write down what happened, and keep it to the point so that when you file that police report, you can stick to the facts.

2) Focus - Focus on the main problem, and realize that for each small step you take to recovery, it's going to be toward resolving the main problem.

3) Tackle the smaller things - Because of the complexity of being scammed, it can feel overwhelming, even when it comes to simple things like calling your bank, or filing the police report, etc.  Don't try to tackle it all at once.

4) Get an advocate - If you feel you are getting no where with police, your bank, your creditors, etc, you may need the services of an advocate.  Not quite an attorney, but someone who can speak on your behalf to resolve matters related to identity theft and financial scams.  Though, I will admit that hiring an attorney can be just as helpful, if not more-so, since attorneys have legal authority in some of the more complex matters.

Have a comment? Suggestion? A topic you'd like to have discussed on my blog? Email me at halfblind79@gmail.com. And if I don't know the answer, I'll post up information on who to ask, where to go, or what to do to get your answer. :) Until then, have a great day, and I hope you've enjoyed reading my computer tips so far!

Upgrading Your PC and You

So, you've decided to do some upgrades to your PC, and you're not sure where to begin.  Well, the truth is, there is no easy answer, but for the moment what we can discuss is some general ideas to keep in mind.  First and foremost do not assume that because it's top dollar it will be top quality.  Do your research and figure out what your needs are.

With that in mind, let's get some general tidbits out of the way.  First, determine what you are upgrading your PC for.  Is it for gaming?  Productivity?  Or perhaps you just want to be able to surf the internet faster.  Second, determine the capabilities of your PC.  Can it hold that extra 2GB of RAM?  Can it support a 2TB hard drive?  Lastly, what are your goals for an end result?  Faster processor speed?  Faster response time for loading webpages?  Consider your goals, and consider what kind of budget you want to stick to when asking these questions.  On average, an upgrade to a computer (already pre-built) is about $40-$200 depending on what you want to accomplish.

Some tips on most Windows PC computers (you'll have to look up the MAC equivalents, because I do not support MACs):

1) Interfaces - If you are going to be upgrading ANY component of a computer, you'll want to know the most basic of information.  Interfaces are one of those basic information pieces.  There are many that a computer uses, so be sure to know what kind of interface you'll need.  For example, most hard drives use an IDE/EIDE cable.  Knowing this, you should know to look for a hard drive that will use this cable.  Another example is that some computer mice still use a PS/2 port.  If you're going to buy a mouse, be sure it has an appropriate USB to PS/2 adapter, otherwise, you'll be out of luck unless you'll be using that USB connection.

2) Capabilities - What is it that you are upgrading and what are the capabilities you are looking for?  Upgrading from a CD-ROM burner drive to a DVD-ROM burner drive is one of those "upgrade features" that seem to stand out.  Also, looking for something that has faster speed, buffering, or data transfer rates are good indicators of what you might need.  A CD/DVD drive that runs 52x will definitely run faster than a 24x speed CD-ROM drive, but remember that faster isn't always better.

3) External or internal? - Many devices are internal to the computer, meaning some disassembly may be required.  If you want to avoid this, then external is the way to go.  In fact, it's been well-known that external devices are far more stable than internal, so this is something else to keep in mind.

4) Input or Output? - You may want to consider if the device or component you want to upgrade is an input device or an output device.  Network interface cards are both, whether wired or wireless.  However, sound cards are usually output as well as video cards.  This is especially important when placing the new component inside the computer.  Most USB devices are input devices.

5) Size - I know this may not seem important, but if you have limited desk space, a big and bulky item may not be a good idea.  Similarly, a device that is relatively small will be ideal for most desk spaces.  Determine what kind of device you are looking for, but make sure it doesn't take up a bunch of workspace that you may want to use later.


Remember that as with any upgrade, ALWAYS keep yourself GROUNDED.  In other words, don't let static get to your upgrade, your computer, etc by using either an anti-static mat, or a wrist strap available online or at most computer retailers.  Doing so can harm it irreparably, and will end up costing you a fortune more!  Always perform your upgrades in a clean environment, and always wear appropriate safety gear (eye protection, gloves, etc).  If you are a novice computer user, always have upgrades performed by a certified professional!

Have a comment? Suggestion? A topic you'd like to have discussed on my blog? Email me at halfblind79@gmail.com. And if I don't know the answer, I'll post up information on who to ask, where to go, or what to do to get your answer. :) Until then, have a great day, and I hope you've enjoyed reading my computer tips so far!

Groups and You

The internet has given birth to something not necessarily new.  It's been around for ages, but the internet gives us the instant gratification of responses through email.  We're talking about groups.  Online discussion groups.  The general theme of a group is in such a variety that one can find literally ANYTHING they like, and join a group about it.  This can be both good and bad, but mostly good.  However, there are some things that one should know and consider before joining a group.

The first thing to consider is if you are going to actively participate.  Will you simply be on the sidelines, or will you be actively sending messages to the group for EVERYONE in that group to read?  Many groups lay dormant for many months before activity picks up, then all sorts of emails from that group come pouring in, and it can seem overwhelming.  Second, is this the kind of general topic you are passionate about or are you just in there to prank people?  Let's be honest here, there are folks who are in a group just to be an annoyance, or have some other devious agenda on their mind.

Whether you are a moderator, or you are simply participating, here's some general ideas to keep in mind when joining a group.

1) Email - Yes, when joining a group this means you WILL be receiving (by default) EVERY piece of email that is sent to the group.  Will this be something that might overwhelm you?  Do you have a personal email account that wouldn't be affected by this?  If not, you may want to create one specifically for that group.

2) Settings - Almost every online group that I've come across have settings for individual members.  These settings can help alleviate the congestion in your email inbox by selecting your group's equivalent of "Special Notices Only" "Web Only Access", and "Digest Messages"  Just a quick note about Digest emails.  These are emails that compile a wealth of emails that have been sent to the group.  This can be set to either daily, weekly, or monthly depending on what service you are using, i.e. Google Groups, Yahoo Groups, etc.  This can be very useful if you want to avoid a mess in your email inbox.  However, if you feel you must discontinue your participation in the group, most of the group sites allow you to unsubscribe in one of many different ways.  The first is through email, and usually that information is provided through the email messages you receive.  The second option is through the group site (e.g. http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/aplustechnicians/)

3) (For Moderators) Controls - You can set up a function on the group where a file/email message is sent out on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis where it can contain information on general group objectives, how to utilize member tools, and perhaps even a guideline list if you must moderate discussions.  Controls can also help limit the messages sent by your membership, or even have it where messages must be approved when it comes to individual member posts.

4) (For Moderators) Events - Perhaps a better way to get people to participate without clogging each other's email inbox is to schedule an online interactive discussion.  Some group sites allow for online chat rooms specifically for your group.  Alternatively, you can set up a chat that is NOT on your website or the group site.   There are a number of alternatives available.

5) (For everyone) Conversations - Try to enjoy the conversations, and remember that the reason you joined or created a group was to get people together for a common cause.  However, some conversations can get a little out of hand.  If a message must be sent and replied by someone specifically, it may be a better idea to ask the person individually if you may email them directly, instead of airing your comment to them in such a public forum.  Remember, the goal of a group is to promote a common idea, but if the conversations get too out of hand, it can easily overwhelm a new member.

Moderators, don't forget that as a moderator, you do have the authority to delete messages or deny/reject memberships and messages as you see fit, but don't abuse this function.  People join groups for the purpose of sharing their ideas about the general discussion, but they will quickly leave if they feel their messages are being blocked unjustly.  Have ready a list of reasons why you might reject a message or a membership, and give advice on how they can overcome this hurdle.

It should go without saying that some discussions can get abusive when they don't need to be.  Try to establish some general guidelines for members, and make it clear that members have an obligation to keep the conversations going positively, smoothly, and most of all fun for everyone to participate in.

Have a comment? Suggestion? A topic you'd like to have discussed on my blog? Email me at halfblind79@gmail.com. And if I don't know the answer, I'll post up information on who to ask, where to go, or what to do to get your answer. :) Until then, have a great day, and I hope you've enjoyed reading my computer tips so far!

Counter-Strike & Steam: To Hack or Not To Hack

For a while now, I've been a participant in what is called "Counter Strike" on a client platform known as "Steam" v1.6.  It's premise is relatively simple, play "T" or "Terrorist" and your objective is one of three.  Either a) plant the bomb, b) hold hostages ransom, and if necessary, kill em, and/or c) kill your opponents or the "CTs" (Counter-terrorists).  If you play "CT", then your objective is the opposite of those three "T" objectives.  In my view, it's very addictive, especially when using weapons that are close to real world weapons, instead of some made-up super-weapon.

There are no levels, and there are no "invincibility" cheats to exploit.  But there's a side to this game that almost no one talks about anymore, and it's also the reason I feel is the decline of the popularity of the game.  When I first started, I had used a computer far inferior to the one I have now.  It's capabilities were limited at best, so running this type of game required, quite literally, an all-night adventure.  It's also the reason I felt I was lacking in the game, and really there wasn't much I could do about it, except go and spend $500-900 for hardware that I felt wasn't justified.  Though even on a Cable Modem connection, there's still moments of sheer lag that just makes the game horrible to play, even as a fan.

Removing the hardware/software issue of the game, and removing the variable of my computer system being an issue, I've noticed that there seems to be blatant disregard for certain guards against cheating.  Whether by design, or by design flaw, many have chosen to exploit the vulnerability in the system to their liking.  Steam (aka Valve) has put into place what is called "VAC" or "Valve Anti-Cheat" system.  Supposedly, this logs a user who is frequently exploiting "hacks" to better their aim, their efficiency, even their kill rate.  In theory, this VAC system will log the user's IP address, and send a signal to Valve's mainframe computer that the user has fraudulently exploited the system, and will subsequently ban that user for life.  In other words, if one decides to cheat, they run the risk of being given the permanent kick in the ass.

However, as my best friend and I soon found out, this VAC system is nothing more than a glorified joke of an Anti-Cheat system.  During play on one of my favorite servers, I notice that many still use "hacks" despite the warning that displays during a load of every server, saying that if caught, that player will be banned.  But what are some of the more popular cheats that one can use?  What's the most surprising is that despite this so-called "VAC" system, there are hacks available that are undetectable by such system, rendering it rather useless.

I did some digging around, went to a few various sites, and what I found wasn't exactly surprising, though I wonder why Valve hasn't done the same search to find these cheat-producing users, and ban them for life.  Among some of the more exploits are:

1) Auto-Aim (aka AimBot) - This is probably the most popular of the hacks.  I'm not entirely sure the process, but it allows one to simply sit back, relax, and simply click the mouse when needed to make a kill.  No forced moving around the mouse to get a good clean shot, you just wait, and kill when the time is right.

2) Wall Hack - Probably the more talked about (and rather annoying) hack of them all.  This is when you are clearly NOT in view of any enemy, yet seemingly you are killed.  Why?  This hack will basically allow someone to clearly see you on the other side of a wall, and shoot you with any weapon for a kill.  Some claim that they do not use this exploit, but I've witnessed people shooting at walls only to get a good 2-3 kills out of it.  This can't just be a user being "that good" at playing.

3) Speed - Whether increasing your overall speed, or slowing everyone else down, this hack is when someone clearly is moving faster than the rest of the players on a server.  This is not only an annoying hack, but it can also create server-side lag that makes playing the game honestly very difficult, and turns off many new players.

4) Invisibility cheat - Self explantory, but not quite.  Basically, a player can conceal himself in a less visible way, wait for the time to strike, then knife another player's character to death.  This I feel is one of the worst cheats/exploits/hacks.  No matter how good you are, someone ALWAYS has this exploit running, and they WILL find you.  Doesn't matter where you are, they will hunt and kill your character.


So what drives an individual to "hack" a game that is intended to be an honest, fair, and otherwise fun game?  Some do it for fun, but for most it's about increasing their statistics, especially their kill-to-death ratio.  Some do it just for the simple fact that they can, and haven't gotten caught.  A good majority do it for the fact of being considered "the best", even though they are really cheating both themselves and the people who they use these exploits against.  Unfortunately, despite Valve/Steam's best efforts, I believe "hacking" / exploiting the game still goes on, and is a much more widespread practice than what is believed by newbie players.  This type of exploint turns off most veteran players from even joining games.

What can be done to curb this total disregard for playing an honest game?  What measures can be put into place that ensure the spirit of the game isn't "hacked" or cheated upon?  For one, I think Steam/Valve needs to routinely (and randomly) check a good sampling of servers every month to verify that each one is abiding by their VAC system.  If they have to, they should hire people trained to spot "hacks", and report the behavior to those who can review, even suspend and/or terminate accounts whose holders have decided it was time to cheat.

Another idea would be for Steam/Valve to do a regular Google search.  Just quick few keywords and I was able to locate "hacks" for Steam/Counter strike within a few minutes of my time.  If Steam claims this kind of involvement would require too many man-hours, they are wrong.  Again, it only took me a few minutes to figure out what cheats were out there.  Based on the "hacks" that are available, one could argue that Steam has the resources to combat this behavior, and even write new patches to detect these exploits better, and eliminate those players who breach rules more aggressively.

Lastly, I think Steam ought to provide a reward system for those who report suspicious behavior.  Give an incentive for players who report "hacks" and game-exploitations, like $5 off a purchase from Steam/Valve.  That would certainly get me to start reporting people left and right.  Although, I agree that this might require manpower, not only to investigate, but to enforce rules, and if necessary carry out the consequential actions.

Over the past 6 years, this has been my #1 game, but not for the good reasons.  It's been on my crap list of games that people exploit for their own gain, and even though I still play it, I wish I didn't.  Too many have "hacked" the game to the point where it's not even fun anymore.  There are very few servers to login to where cheating isn't exactly widely used, and the servers one does find it is not long before someone who is cheating logs on and takes the whole fun out of it all.

In closing, and I hope this is read by Valve/Steam, because this really is the reason in my opinion that has brought upon the decline of players.  It was only a few short years ago that I would log on and the number of servers would number in the THOUSANDS, possibly tens of thousands.  Today, logging in, I only find a few hundred servers, and most of which are infested with "hackers".

I've thought about using such "hacks" for my own gain, but then I would be lowering myself.  I don't want to do that.  I feel that if one is to play an online multiplayer game, one should be able to play fairly, and without the use of "enhancements" or hacks to get ahead.

Steam/Valve, if you are reading this, you've still got a lot of work to do.

Social Networks And Security Settings (And You)

It should go without saying (by now, I hope) that social networks are a great way to keep in touch (or reconnect with) friends of old, new, and in between.  It has been my experience that sites like MySpace and Facebook are excellent tools to share ideas (whether similar or otherwise) with friends, family members, and even local news stations are getting in on this great tool.  There are, however, drawbacks to having such an open-book lifestyle.  Some of the more common drawbacks are the increasing demands of employers to invade personal lives, intrude on people's personal business, and even use that information against their own employees.

One of the more serious threats, notwithstanding businesses who wish to use social networks as their own personal "big-brother", is the reality that there are individuals who seek to destroy personal lives for their own personal gain.  One such practice has been the increasing presence of scams that appear to be genuine, but in truth are designed to elude you into a false sense of "doing the right thing."  Other practices are quite common that include getting you to provide your information in hopes of "hacking" your social network account, and post messages, videos, links, and photos that are pornographic in nature, or just simply ruin your good name.

It's worth noting that aside from my own personal experiences using such sites, I've watched news tips and reports on Facebook, MySpace, etc, and have found that while some of their tips are genuinely good, a lot of it is designed to scare you into seclusion.  While it is true that many of us fear that someone may one day steal our identity with something as simple as using a No. 2 pencil (this is not new, by the way), we can however, take some steps to minimize a potential threat, or even neutralize an existing one.  On that note, it should be completely clear that if you're not using common sense, you shouldn't be on any social network sites, and should be sticking with good ol' email.  Better yet, stick to the regular snail mail.

On a related note, social networking sites can cause problems within a family, and usually dealing with children and/or pre-teens/teens.  If you are a parent, there are some tips that may prove helpful while only minimally encroaching your child's privacy.  It should go without saying that there are potentially hundreds of threats that children face daily while using the internet, the least of which has almost nothing to do with acts of a sexual nature.  I emphasize "almost", because it's not necessarily what predators are after.  I'll probably cover this more in an opinion blog later down the road, but the best defense for any parent against this would be to "TALK TO YOUR KIDS!"  My best advice is to be an active listener, and be reasonable.

So, how does one protect themselves against the seemingly endless array of online threats when using social networking sites like Facebook?  What steps are practiced widely?  As a computer tech, I can say with certainty that there is no simple solution, but there are simple steps that anyone with a brain can do to minimize those threats.

(One final note before getting into the details, if you're that concerned over being safe, it's probably an exaggeration, but my advice would be to shut down your PC, stay indoors, and lock your doors, and windows up nice and tight)

Since some social network sites are different in how your account interacts with others, I'm going to base my observations from using Facebook.  If you are having difficulty with the social network site of your choice, please refer to that site's help or frequently asked questions page for more information.

Some steps you can do:

1) Settings - Whether it's privacy settings or the account settings, this can do a multitude of tasks designed to protect you.  First and foremost, unless you are like me and you know exactly who you are interacting with, you'll probably want to limit the information that people can see.  On Facebook, there are ways to set the privacy level of most given sections of your profile to either "Everyone", "Only Friends", "Friends of Friends", and "Customize".  There's also an option where you can selectively block people from accessing certain information, or block them from your profile completely.  This is also true for the photo albums and their respective settings.  You'll want to lock out anyone who might find your night of passion with a hot date objectionable.

2) Wall/Status Posting - Obviously there are some things that don't need to be communicated over the internet, such as "I'm going to take a huge dump!"  That's probably something you want to keep inside your head, rather than share with the world.  There will, however, be some grey areas about what's acceptable to post, and what should never be posted.  While everyone should agree that posting something like "I hate my fucking boss" is just not acceptable, especially when someone, say a co-worker, sees that, and decides to play the politics game, which can land a person in trouble very quickly, and quite possibly fired.  A huge debate is going on about that, and while I agree that we have rights to free speech, it can however damage an employers' reputation, no matter how warranted it may be.  Maybe that person feels he or she is being mistreated at work, or treated unfairly, or perhaps they deserve the unfair treatment for their poor performance.  Whatever the reason may be, posts like this should never circulate on a scale that rivals even the best phone chains.  An obvious post like "got a date with a hot blonde from the mall" after calling in sick would be VERY inappropriate, especially if that person is friends with an assistant manager or something like that.  The key here is to use your best judgment, use logic, and above all, use common sense.

3) Usernames and Passwords - This is perhaps a most understated point, and couldn't ever be stated enough.  NEVER, NEVER, NEVER let anyone know your username and password... On ANYTHING!  Not even a close friend, not a co-worker, not even your most trusted computer technician should know YOUR username and YOUR password.  Statistically speaking, some 85% of social network users use their personal email address, and the same password to access said email account as their login for Facebook.  If anyone knows this information, even by accident, it could mean trouble for the victim.  My best personal advice is either to never give out your information (which is the top advice of ALL computer techs), or if anyone in your circle of trust needs to know that information, set up a separate email account and password specifically for Facebook.  This is good for two reasons.  One, you can minimize the damage by immediately changing your associated email address on Facebook, and two, if you cannot change it (usually because it's been changed by the "suspect" who has your login information), this lets you deactivate the email account, so that the suspect in question can't change anything else, and therefore will be stuck with an account that can't be closed due to the email no longer active.  (This has happened to me with an old MySpace account)

4) Applications - Applications can be a lot of fun, and can be even more fun when shared with friends who have similar interests.  Though there are some apps that shouldn't be shared for the same reason some statuses shouldn't be as well.  Do yourself a favor.  If you are really going to add that funny application that has some mature content to it, make sure you don't post anything that someone in your family might see.  Remember what I said in my previous blog about "if grandma shouldn't see it"?  Same is true for applications on social network sites.

5) Fan Pages - This can be both good and bad.  I'll start with the bad first.  Once again, if family members see that you are a fan of "porn", that might cause some problems, so it's probably best to avoid the obvious material that is objectionable to some.  Similarly, there are sometimes fan pages to TV shows and movies, which are harmless in nature, but can spark sharp differences between friends, family members, and sometimes leads to severed communications.  Just like applications, this can be good though in the sense that you can share similar interests with friends and family.

6) Links - Setting up links for people in your friends list to review can be a good way to get your ideas posted, and have a resource to back those ideas up.  Some links are well-intentioned, but can have devastating effects.  It goes without saying that a posted link about sex might get some friends' attention, but it might also get unwanted attention from family members who have children who view YOUR page.  Once again, if grandma shouldn't see it, your kids shouldn't either.

7) Comments - This is one of those lovely topics that seem to bite people in the ass more times than I'm sure anyone cares to admit.  Comments are very powerful, and sometimes can have a lasting, but unwanted result. I'm talking about comments that are, at times, objectionable to some individuals.  Honestly, I couldn't care less who reads my comments, but over time I've been selective in what comments are visible on my profile.  Nevertheless, some comments should remain as inside thoughts in your head.  I've seen some pretty nasty comments that include racist remarks, political bigotry, and even some content that includes acts of a sexual (and grossly peculiar) nature.  This has led me to believe that a person's comments can sometimes reflect what a person is really thinking and feeling, but would probably not say in a face-to-face meeting with a person offline.  Although, this is not necessarily true, it once again comes to the point that if grandma shouldn't see it, your family, and even more-so, your employer shouldn't see it either.  Posting something like "Oh man, I want to just take off her clothes, rip her panties off and bang her every which way but loose" is probably going to get a lot of male friends' attention, but will certainly turn off a lot of women, and even more so, they'll drop you like a bad habit.

8) Groups - No matter if you're using social network sites, or sites like Yahoo that utilize "groups", they can be fun, sometimes informative, and even provide valuable information about a product, service, idea, or just a fun online get-together with friends who have similar interests.  Just like the aforementioned sections, groups can also be bad when friends, family, and even employers might put you in a negative light depending on what groups you belong to.  Groups can also provide insight into what a person likes, dislikes, and in some cases, tell a prospective employer why they should NOT hire you.  Again, do yourself a favor.  If you are applying for jobs, DO NOT give employers your personal email address.  Instead, give them an email that has been specifically set up to receive employer applications, and one that can't be searched for on social network sites.

9) Friends/Family - Okay, this one is another one of the grey areas that people are a little hot (like my friend John Brown might say) about.  Certainly, social network sites are fun and useful when it comes to connecting with current friends, reconnecting with old friends, and even connect with family members that are hundreds or thousands of miles away.  However, they can also be hurtful if there are clashes between friends you know from column A, and those from column B, as well as family members.  I've been extremely fortunate that most of my friends know me well enough, and most are of the same type of personality, that there is rarely a moment where clashes occur.  That being said, clashes can often occur where there is a strong difference of opinion on both sides of an argument.  I think that it's a great thing to be able to share ideas openly, but there is a point where some ideas, no matter how well-intentioned, can be hurtful, even if that wasn't the intention of the originating post.  Does this mean you need to ask if you can share your thought?  No, but a word of advice.  Use your brain, it's there for a reason.  Knowing who might benefit from an idea, or benefit from some new way of looking at an idea can be helpful to everyone on your friends list.  Better yet, instead of mass posting it to the world about your idea, send it to a few individual friends or family members and get their thoughts about it.

10) Profile Information - There isn't much to discuss here.  You can provide as much or as little information as you want, but a good rule of thumb would be to limit what you expose of yourself to others.  Again, this goes back to the privacy and account settings mentioned earlier.  I've heard of stories where a suspect got a victim's name, address, and phone number just by looking it up on Facebook.  However, what that story DOES NOT include is that person was probably careless with their settings and was showing it to EVERYONE.  I can't stress this enough, but I'm a strong advocate of COMMON SENSE!  There's an old phrase that says "Use it or lose it"  My twist on that is, you should "USE YOUR BRAIN" or "LOSE YOUR PERSONAL LIFE", because it can and will be exposed if you are not careful.

A final word on social network sites, if you are new to using such sites, my advice is to get to know the settings.  Play around with them, and see what works for you.  Often times, I get people who come up to me and ask where a setting is, and after guiding them to that setting, they forget it quickly.  Practice makes perfect, and if you visit the settings page regularly on your favorite social network of choice, you should be able to navigate your way into using the security settings that are provided by the developers.  Use them wisely, but again, use common sense, it does work!

On my next blog, we'll get more into the opinions side of social networks, starting with parenting.  I'd like to ask my readers that if there is a point you'd like for me to make in my next blog, I want to know about it.  Send me your ideas to either my Facebook inbox, or email me at halfblind79@gmail.com!

Have a comment? Suggestion? A topic you'd like to have discussed on my blog? Email me at halfblind79@gmail.com. And if I don't know the answer, I'll post up information on who to ask, where to go, or what to do to get your answer. :) Until then, have a great day, and I hope you've enjoyed reading my computer tips so far!