|
Cocktail
Talk
Bits and bytes of computer chat-chat
to help you through those dreary Cocktail Parties.
December
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Craig,
|
|
Welcome to
CN Consulting's "Cocktail Talk".
Cocktail Talk is a casual monthly newsletter intended to arm you with
amusing bits and bytes of information on whats happening in the computer
world. Topics sure to break the ice and capture an audience at many a
social or business event.
Cocktail
Talk is archived at www.cnci.us
|
|
|
|
Online
Banking
|
|
 People forward their
concerns to me when they learn about a possible scam or virus.
Generally they have some sort of "substantiation" that
there is indeed a threat. Usually, the threat has
been nothing more than a hoax. A hoax intended to scare them into
sending the warning to everyone they know, me included, and so
on.
Substantiation in these cases usually comes from website /
news communities too many to mention. These writers are not the real
experts on whether or not something is a virus.
The
real experts are the ones writing the software to stop viruses and the
people who've had to deal with them first hand. The antivirus software
manufacturers and the user community.
When
you have a question go to Symantec's website, or Trend Micro, or
Computer Associates, they have Knowledge Bases with search features
you can use to get the real story. Virus Definitions, Dictionaries, Threat
Advisories and more. Security Focus has a more newsy feel. The User
Community is also invaluable. Google part of the suspected threat's name or
description and you can read what other people have to say.
There
are threats out there. If you're sharp, relaxed, attentive, in your
environment, it's usually not a problem. The problem comes when you're not.
At
11:00 PM on a Sunday night I get an email entitled "Pictures of your
wife". OK, but we had gone out, and photographer
friends roam the events and post pictures, and sometimes they ask
permission to use them, and sometimes they just forward pictures along. Not
from this guy though. Delete.
UPS,
USPS, and FedEx are delivering things to me from several vendors and I
really need to keep my finger on the pulse and the iPhone dings that I have
an email entitled; "USPS Could not Deliver". I can't even find
this email when I get back to the office, in my environment,
where there is Anti-Virus software. No need to Delete, except from
the iPhone.
Both of these caught me in a vulnerable state. They seemed
routine, of particular interest, even important. Christmas is coming, emails
concerning credit cards, banks, UPS, FedEx, USPS may be off your watchlist.
You may be in a vulnerable state.
This
came recently from some school in Ohio. What these guys want is clear, but
why? Do they want to call me? Read my steamy emails?
Email
Users,
Due
to numerous complaints on ongoing recent spam activities on your account,
vital maintainance will be conducted on our Email servers.
To
confirm and to keep your Email account active,a confirmation for ownership
must be provided. Confirm the informations below.Failure to do this might
cause a permanent deactivation of your Email Webmail account from our
server.
Email
Address:
Password:
Telephone
Number:
Your
account shall remain active after you have successfully confirmed your
above requested informations. We apologise for any inconveniences caused as
a result of this notification. We thank you for your prompt attention to
this notification.
Email
Technical Support
The
following email threat is real, and 3 years old, and
somebody started using it again, and sent it to me. Its not as pretty as
the original, without the colored bank logos, but official looking
enough. It might not be your bank this time, but there is
tomorrow and when it's your bank the temptation gets greater.
From;
CitiBank Customer Service [smrfs@citibank.com]
Subject:
CitiBank Customer Service: Online Banking Notification
Note:
This is a service message regarding the CitiBank Customer Service
Online Form.
Dear
customer:
As
part of the new security measures, all CitiBank Customer Service bank
customers are required to complete CitiBank Customer Service Online
Form. Please complete the form as soon as possible.
To
access the form please click on the following link:
********Deleted
by Craig****************** Thank you for being a valued customer.
Sincerely,
Online Banking Team
Really? CitiBank is using an email to solicit information to enhance it's
security measures? I don't think so, and bet you these guys want to do
more than read your steamy emails.
Maybe
it is your bank, or a UPS delivery, or pictures of your Wife, but
that's your call, and that's Cocktail Talk.
|
|
|
|
Let me be the
first to wish you a very merry Christmas.
|
|
Craig Phillips
CN Consulting, Inc.
|
|
|
|
CN Consulting, Inc - www.cnci.us
Computer Consulting for Business!
We maximize the benefit of
our clients' existing technology, systems, and platforms while integrating
the benefits provided by new technology.Business Continuity and Business
Development are our goals with Continuity being the foundation
of Development.
CN Consulting Inc. (CNCI) is an independent consulting company
formed in 1990 and located within easy reach of both Chicago and Milwaukee.
CNCI
maintains a select client base providing consulting services concerning
the use of information technology. We persistently look
for advantage to our clients in added value and reduced cost made available
by advancing technology.
CNCI does not have financial
interest in any given product or product line. We evaluate current and
emerging technologies solely based on their benefit to our clients. CNCI
implements the solutions it recommends and readily partners with companies
that offer products and services to the advantage of our clients. CNCI
offers complete client support with singular accountability.
|
|
