Nerdy.IT

In alliance with my awesome blog that I never update, I decided to start working on a new website in the same theme, that I really probably will forget to update. Given how much I work, and how ALL of my work is done on computers, I tend to get home and just want to relax. Needless to say, I have added a QR Code for my new website:

Now apart from that, the website itself: Nerdy.IT

Its a forum, and anyone is welcome! Check it out! Nerds rejoice!

Welcome Back...

I've been working on some new website ideas over the last 6 months. eArena.net was kind of a dead end. BNET.cc is my passion, but there hasn't been anything new to talk about for Battle.net in years... I think its high time that we rebuild the culture of Battle.net. Many people have tried to do this...

The truth is, culture is dead. Most hardcore clans still around are full of idle bots. BNET.cc is housed in "Op {{}}" on USEast. We're going to rebuild culture starting with that channel and branching out. Many people are going to be haters. And well, haters gonna hate right?

Welcome to reality. :)

Fake Anti-Virus -- RED ALERT!!!!

Greetings readers! I wanted to alert the world to something that we've been seeing a whole lot of since around 2008. Its called "Rogue Security". Essentially, something pops up saying "You may be infected click here to fix it!" As Admiral Ackbar would say "Its a Trap!"

Needless to say, these Rogue security products have made their way into probably about 70% of the computers I see. At least once. With an average of 3 computers a day, thats 2 out of 3 have had some sort of Rogue Security program on them.

Where do they come from? They come from places like Facebook and twitter. Places that have large amounts of people that mostly don't know what not to click on.

Most of the time, they look a lot like the image to the left. Over the years, they've begun to spread into things like the "Master Boot Record". Because of this, they can reinfect the system everytime the operating system is booted. This causes a lot of issues for people trying to remove them while running Windows.

Its in these cases, that its usually a time to call in the pros. Geek Squad being my company, has a lot of experience doing these, and on-site can usually remove them within 2 hours. We use a company-created utility that lets us load the operating system off of our disc, which then eliminates the virus's capability to re-initiate itself, and gives us the capability of removing it. For do-it-your-selfers, there are similar programs called Bart PE, or Linux "Live CD" that allow you to go around the installed OS. Wiping the HDD will sometimes NOT yield results, as its in the boot file.

As the last image shows, sometimes they hijack the DNS connection, and will redirect websites, that look 100% legitimate, to their own nefarious sites. This can sometimes include sites like google, or hijacked search results. Sometimes it can show sites in the search results that lead you towards installing their full program. Or just paying for it with a credit card.

I urge EVERYONE not to do this, ever. I've personally gotten an infection in the past, and found one freebie AV software that can actually take out a Master Boot Record infection. Dr Web Cureit

Because its free, its also fairly limited, and not updated nearly as much as paid antivirus software such as Webroot AntiVirus, which is actually "Sophos", one of the leaders in virus detection. I've found this software to be one of the most trustworthy on the planet, and it definitely detects more than most other companies. There are others though, Trend Micro for instance which has something called "Titanium", and is designed to be least intrusive for the consumer. It doesn't slow down the computer nearly as much as other products, and has a fairly high detection rate.

Needless to say, failure to have any anti-virus, is the worst defense ever. Most viruses have a goal of hijacking your system, without you knowing it. Sometimes they will just wait for you to login to websites, and steal your logins. These are typically called "Spyware", and can manifest themselves MONTHS if not YEARS after they've been downloaded. "Worms" are also another type of malware and can lay dormant until the creator cares to activate them. They typically infest parts of the programs on the victim's computer, and you won't even know you're running them until its too late.

So don't skimp on security software. Even if its the free stuff like Dr Web, or AVG, you want to run scans at least once a week to be safe. If you want better detection, support, etc., look into paid anti-virus software. Webroot and Trend Micro are my recommendations, but you could also look towards Norton, or Kaspersky.

Just remember, if something on a website can "detect" that you may be infected, or wants you to "Find and Fix" registry errors. You probably already have an infection, and want to run a full scan with the software YOU have.

Cellphone Viruses: Do you need Protection?

A lot of my clients have been asking me this question. I believe very strongly in protecting oneself from mobile onslaught of viruses. The truth be told, for the most part, you are fairly safe, that is if you don't download ringtones, don't download little music/video files your friends send you via MMS, and don't download/install Apps, from either an App Store (Like Android's Market), or from other locations.

First off, lets review the biggest competitors, and what kind of threat you can assume:

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:: The iPhone
Apple actually did something right. By limiting the App Store and limiting the iPhone to only allowing apps from the AppStore, it is protecting its users from MOST attack vectors. But here is whats happening:
- People unlock their phone
- Download homemade apps from non-apple authorized app store.
- Infection.
So why unlock? There are a lot of possibilities. And it does open up for a more open development network. This actually allows users to extend their current use of their phone, and prior to iOS4, it allowed multitasking.

But what else? Apple recently had an issue with a PDF exploit, that would compromise the user's iPhone. There are still ways to hack an iPhone if its BlueTooth is enabled and not properly protected. These also allow for other exploits to come as a result of the initial unlocking of the phone. Apple, so far, is the best at protecting its end-user, but ultimately, if someone really knows what they're doing, they can get past any type of security. Because of how popular the iPhone is, its likely to be the main target continuously. So is it the safest choice? Yes and No. If you're not protecting your other options, then yes. If you don't unlock it, you're more protected, and if you don't leave your bluetooth on, you're even MORE protected.
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Android

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So Android is a completely different monster. Because of its open concept, its entirely opposite of Apple. ANY app on Market could potentially be a virus/trojan/spyware. But, Android also has a ton of security apps available for REAL protection. Now Android allows you to download outside of market, and also Android has the same Bluetooth vulnerability that the iPhone has. So you still have to be careful, but its not as much of an issue.

Lookout security is currently the most complete and safe application on the Market. Its the most recommended and works well (And its also FREE). SMobile Systems’ Security Shield app ($29.99) is also good, but for 29.99, its not much better than Lookout. It really depends on how much you worry about infection.

Personally, I love Android, the best part of it, is that if you use Gmail, all of your apps, contacts, and settings are saved there. So if you DO get a bad infection and it corrupts your phone, you can just wipe it and reinstall, and it will grab all of the data from your gmail account for you.
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Other Phones

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Blackberry, Nokia, etc. These phones all have the same possible vulnerabilities. RIM is actually probably the most in touch with what needs to be secured. They've been handling mobile security for years, especially because they constantly deal with large companies.

Nokia is very susceptible to Java based viruses, as is Blackberry, and many other phones. As Mr Jobs has said, Flash isn't exactly the safest thing in the world either. Hes absolutely correct. For Adobe to update Flash to the necessary security level, they would break most existant apps that are currently out there.
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Truth be told, you're always at risk. Like computers, the best protection you can POSSIBLY have is simply being careful online, make sure you're on the correct website that you expect to be, by checking the URL (Address). Don't download other things that you're not sure of. If you don't recognize the file, don't download it, and search it on google to find out what it is.

Live long and Prosper!
~Tagban

Facebook :: Plague or Plunder?

Some of my customers recently have been getting lots of infections from Facebook. When they ask me how it happens, one of the most common things I tell them is simply by not updating their computer, java, and flash.

Despite what popular media would like to exhibit, computer systems are more vulnerable than ever. Java of Sun Microsystems is very affected by any major script updates and changes. There are new viruses, trojans, and other malware infections that come out every day. Most, roughly 70% of them, are now spread thru things that we download.

In the past, I could chalk this up to File Sharing programs such as 'Limewire', 'Kazaa', 'Bearshare', and others. A lot of people that try to get 'Free' versions of programs illegally, usually use 'Key generators', or 'cracks'. These are other methods for getting infections most of the time.

As I've said before, many times that something is 'free', it isn't worth it.

Needless to say, some things people need to watch out for, is facebook apps that require you to download something. Or malicious apps, that REQUIRE you to post to your friend's boards. Some of them will try to send messages to your friends.

So either way, be safe, be careful. And avoid, a Virus Invasion.

~John

StrengthsFinder

As part of a company lead initiative, anyone interested in leadership in Best Buy can take part in a course. Part of that, is doing something called strengthsfinder which comes with the purchase of a book. (company paid for mine).

These are my strengths:

Responsibility

Your Responsibility theme forces you to take psychological ownership for anything you commit to, and whether large or small, you feel emotionally bound to follow it through to completion. Your good name depends on it. If for some reason you cannot deliver, you automatically start to look for ways to make it up to the other person. Apologies are not enough. Excuses and rationalizations are totally unacceptable. You will not quite be able to live with yourself until you have made restitution. This conscientiousness, this near obsession for doing things right, and your impeccable ethics, combine to create your reputation: utterly dependable. When assigning new responsibilities, people will look to you first because they know it will get done. When people come to you for help—and they soon will—you must be selective. Your willingness to volunteer may sometimes lead you to take on more than you should.

Strategic

The Strategic theme enables you to sort through the clutter and find the best route. It is not a skill that can be taught. It is a distinct way of thinking, a special perspective on the world at large. This perspective allows you to see patterns where others simply see complexity. Mindful of these patterns, you play out alternative scenarios, always asking, “What if this happened? Okay, well what if this happened?” This recurring question helps you see around the next corner. There you can evaluate accurately the potential obstacles. Guided by where you see each path leading, you start to make selections. You discard the paths that lead nowhere. You discard the paths that lead straight into resistance. You discard the paths that lead into a fog of confusion. You cull and make selections until you arrive at the chosen path—your strategy. Armed with your strategy, you strike forward. This is your Strategic theme at work: “What if?” Select. Strike.

Includer

“Stretch the circle wider.” This is the philosophy around which you orient your life. You want to include people and make them feel part of the group. In direct contrast to those who are drawn only to exclusive groups, you actively avoid those groups that exclude others. You want to expand the group so that as many people as possible can benefit from its support. You hate the sight of someone on the outside looking in. You want to draw them in so that they can feel the warmth of the group. You are an instinctively accepting person. Regardless of race or sex or nationality or personality or faith, you cast few judgments. Judgments can hurt a person’s feelings. Why do that if you don’t have to? Your accepting nature does not necessarily rest on a belief that each of us is different and that one should respect these differences. Rather, it rests on your conviction that fundamentally we are all the same. We are all equally important. Thus, no one should be ignored. Each of us should be included. It is the least we all deserve.

Maximizer

Excellence, not average, is your measure. Taking something from below average to slightly above average takes a great deal of effort and in your opinion is not very rewarding. Transforming something strong into something superb takes just as much effort but is much more thrilling. Strengths, whether yours or someone else’s, fascinate you. Like a diver after pearls, you search them out, watching for the telltale signs of a strength. A glimpse of untutored excellence, rapid learning, a skill mastered without recourse to steps—all these are clues that a strength may be in play. And having found a strength, you feel compelled to nurture it, refine it, and stretch it toward excellence. You polish the pearl until it shines. This natural sorting of strengths means that others see you as discriminating. You choose to spend time with people who appreciate your particular strengths. Likewise, you are attracted to others who seem to have found and cultivated their own strengths. You tend to avoid those who want to fix you and make you well rounded. You don’t want to spend your life bemoaning what you lack. Rather, you want to capitalize on the gifts with which you are blessed. It’s more fun. It’s more productive. And, counterintuitively, it is more demanding.

Woo

Woo stands for winning others over. You enjoy the challenge of meeting new people and getting them to like you. Strangers are rarely intimidating to you. On the contrary, strangers can be energizing. You are drawn to them. You want to learn their names, ask them questions, and find some area of common interest so that you can strike up a conversation and build rapport. Some people shy away from starting up conversations because they worry about running out of things to say. You don’t. Not only are you rarely at a loss for words; you actually enjoy initiating with strangers because you derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection. Once that connection is made, you are quite happy to wrap it up and move on. There are new people to meet, new rooms to work, new crowds to mingle in. In your world there are no strangers, only friends you haven’t met yet—lots of them.

Braces :: The end of Humanity?

Like most kids, at an early age right after my adult teeth had come in my parents took me into the dentist. The dentist informed them that I would need braces. Not knowing what was coming the only thing I could think of is all the cool colors they could put on the braces. That was my absolute last happy thought about braces UNTIL they were removed.

Braces are designed to straighten teeth. There is from what I can tell, no significant advantage to this other than cosmetically appealing. Hippocrates and Aristotle were among the first philosophers to come up with the idea of straightening teeth.

My theory behind braces in general, is that its a ploy to make money. The dental industry makes money off of your braces+visits, but on top of that. When your teeth were unbraced, they had larger gaps between them. This made them essentially 'Self Cleaning', meaning, with that large a gap, a swish of water would get any particles out from between them. The way our teeth are POST braces, they are so tight together that food particles get trapped between them. This encourages flossing, but as everyone knows even the daily flossers miss things.

When flossing misses its mark, that mark begins a long and gruesome decay process, which eventually leads to tartar, then plaque, and lastly, a hole in your tooth decaying the inside. This then leads to yet another dental visit, which will cost quite a bit of money to get repaired, is very painful, and the 'filling' may eventually fall out requiring yet another visit.

The cycle keeps going to, with everything from cosmetic repair like coverings to cover up bad looking teeth (like the ones OLD Spock has in the new star trek movie), to dentures. You ever notice that native people from the 60's or so from the UK don't have good straight teeth? They also rarely had dentures/coverings. And their teeth were stained a bit, but otherwise in good shape. There weren't as many cavities in their mouths..

Part of it, is our fault. We eat sugary foods, drink sugary drinks, and in general take pretty terrible care of our teeth. Coffee stains are prominent amongst us, but those can be gone over with 'whitening products'.

Granted, I am NOT a dentist, or in any way connected to the dental industry. But what I do know, is that as a child, I took pills that helped my teeth get stronger. I NEVER had a cavity until after braces, and my teeth never hurt. I will also tell you that I didn't wear my retainer when I should have, so my six front top teeth have minor gaps between them. This actually keeps food out of those. I've never had a cavity in any tooth that has space between it to swish water through.

~John