Help each other out of non-Webroot technical jams and discuss tech-related stuff in general.
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An unorthodox alternative to long phone calls with relatives. A security researcher has detailed a novel approach to tech support that uses a modified version of the infamous Zeus malware. The Windows malware and its Android derivative were hugely popular in cyber criminal circles and best known for its man-in-the-middle keystroke -logging and form grabbing. The malware has infected untold scores of computers causing massive amounts of financial losses. But its many features have now been re-appropriated for good. David Schwartzberg (@Schwartzberg ) began building a modified version of the malware for tech support after undergoing an arduous computer repair task with family. "Just because you have a knack for technology, people you know seem to think that you enjoy fixing all their problems, most self-inflicted," said Schwartzberg, a Barracuda Networks senior security engineer. Full Article
Any other ThinkGeek fans out there? They're having a fun promotion this week to coincide with New York Fashion Week, called Geek Fashion Week. They're giving 30% to all apparel items. Which reminds me, I still haven't had a chance to try on the Technomancer Digital Wizard Hoodie since I broke my arm. I think it might be healed enough to give it a shot, and I'll post pictures and video once I do.
There just seem to be so many good but weird/bizarre technology-based stories around...and this one is superb: New glorious people's UI brings fruity flavor to NORKS PCsBy Neil McAllister, 4th February 2014 The latest version of North Korea's official operating system has been given a makeover that lends it an all-too-familiar look and feel. The Norks have maintained a state-sponsored Linux distro – RedStar Linux – since 2010. The earliest version looked like a fairly stock KDE desktop Linux, for its time. But with the new version 3.0, Pyongyang's OS has taken on a decidedly Cupertinian flair. As shown in screenshots gathered by web hacker Will Scott – who spent last autumn teaching computer science in Pyongyang – a few vestiges of the earlier RedStar UI remain, but most of it has been scrubbed and polished to look remarkably like OS X. A view of the desktop shows system menus across the top of the screen, Mac-style, along with an application l
I was reading over CNN and ran into this little gem. If you thought your boss or company was bad about micromanaging and trying to squeeze every last drop out of you possible, remember that things could ALWAYS be a LOT worse! Full Article The Hitachi Business Microscope. "The device looks like an employee ID badge that most companies issue. Workers are instructed to wear it in the office. Embedded inside each badge, according to Hitachi, are "infrared sensors, an accelerometer, a microphone sensor and a wireless communication device." "Hitachi says that the badges record and transmit to management "who talks to whom, how often, where and how energetically."" "It tracks everything." I read over the entire article. A workplace with CCTV + Audio can be unnerving I think, but with this thing is just plain scary. . All I can say is I hope the boss is listening in the next time I have a massive case of flatulance and
Hi, Pleeeese could you help me out with this printer of mine! It just wont print. I've been using it for a few months with no probs but since I changed the cartridges, apart from five or six pages from the web, it dosen't print anything, dead as a doornail. All the print jobs are queing but one is trying to delete and is stuck, it won't cancel. I've also noticed that next to it's name on the control panel, it has (Copy 1), is this OK? I've tried diagnostics which had corrected it for that one time but has made no overall difference. Can you help? It's an HP Deskjet 1050 J410 series.
The Verge http://cdn0.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/9785079/win8leak5_1020_large_verge_medium_landscape.jpg 32 inShareMicrosoft’s first update to Windows 8.1 has leaked today on various file-sharing websites ahead of its March debut. The early build includes a number of changes that Microsoft is making to improve the keyboard and mouse experience in Windows 8.1. The most obvious change is a new title bar for Microsoft’s Windows 8-style apps, allowing you to close, minimize, and snap apps to appear side by side with a mouse. It occupies a small amount of space at the top of all "Metro" apps, and it appears to be included as more of a helpful option for mouse users to quickly navigate through apps. Similar improvements have also been made to the Start Screen, where right-clicking on Live Tiles now produces a context menu with options to resize, unpin, and more. Microsoft is also bringing the search button and a shutdown option straight onto the Windows 8.1 Start Screen
Whenever I go to the Intellicast.com weather site, a second tab pops up advising me to go to appround-dot-us and download something to make the PC run or stream faster. I use Webroot anti-virus, which immediately blocks any forced downloads, but I have a suspicion that something might have been downloaded that triggers the second tab to appear. I searched Control Panel, but couldn't find anything. No issues when not using a browser, but I do get this pop-up when using either Firefox or Chrome. Forgot to mention that the pop-up tab takes me to this web site: www-dot-.mypcbackup-dot-com, by means of this URL:www-dot-lpcloudsvr302-dot-com/725A482A73486B6671742822343A614E.. Sometimes an ad for something called "Lightspark Player Pro" pops up in yet another tab. Has anyone here encountered this virus? Thanks, Roy
More changes to come! From the Verge http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/9772325/windows81handson1_1020_large_verge_medium_landscape.jpg inShareMicrosoft is once again planning to alter the way its Start Screen works in Windows 8.1 Update 1. While the software giant originally released Windows 8.1 last year with an option to bypass the "Metro" interface at boot, sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans have revealed to The Verge that the upcoming update for Windows 8.1 will enable this by default. Like many other changes in Update 1, we’re told the reason for the reversal is to improve the OS for keyboard and mouse users. We understand the latest internal builds of Windows 8.1 Update 1 have the boot-to-desktop option enabled by default, a change that Wzor noted earlier today. The update is still in development, and Microsoft could alter this further before it ships, but it's currently being changed to appease desktop users. It may seem like a minor chang
National Change your Password Day is coming up this Saturday. If you haven't changed your passwords in a while, now is the time to do so (just like you check the batteries in your smoke detector every year 🙂 I'm as guilty as the next person of not managing my passwords well, so I'll be taking this opportunity to finally install a password manager. Here's a couple good resources for password management: Seven security steps to take on National Change Your Password Day (February 1st) Start 2014 Right With These Security To-Do's
Hey everyone! I have a gigabit router and download speeds of 100Mbps (on a wired connection). I have a desktop that is 50 feet to the left and then one story higher than the router. I know I can't expect a full 100 down speed without being directly wired to the router, but which of these would give me a faster speed? The powerline adapter where one is plugged into the wall and router, and the second one is plugged into the wall and computer; or just a USB wireless N adapter? Thanks :D Shran
Here's a nice list of alternatives: http://resources.intenseschool.com/now-that-logmein-is-no-longer-free-what-are-some-free-alternatives-available/ Any others that you've found?
