Facebook Virus Draining Bank Accounts

Zeus, a six-year-old virus is going strong thanks to Facebook. From what I've read, Facebook is aware of the virus and is not taking it very seriously. So, it comes down to you – which really, it should.

Mac OS X and Linux users, at ease. Zeus targets only Windows operating systems.

The virus spreads through phishing messages. Usually, it is part of link or ad posted by a friend that suggests you checkout an ad or video. BE CAUSIOUS AND ONLY CLICK LINKS YOU ARE SURE ABOUT.

The virus sits quietly for a while doing nothing, until you log into a bank account. Once you've successfully logged in, it steals you id and password. Then later, drains your account.

The Zeus virus has been around since 2007 and is hosted on computers controlled in Russia.

The sophistication of this virus is, well, amazing. It may put up a duplicate of your banks page to make you think you are logging into your bank's real website. It has also been known to grab your social security number, which is then sold on the black market. Also, once the virus has you, it will send messages through social media and email, in your name, trying to spread to new computers.

Bottom line – be wary of all messages that say, 'checkout this video,' DON'T CLICK THE LINK, unless you are absolutely sure of it's origin.

Note: the videos are almost always real and funny / cute / scary – something to grab your attention. Because they are real, you won't have any idea you're infected.

Windows 8 Causes Problems for N. Korea

I think this is hilarious! North Korea says that they had to delay missile tests because of problems with Windows 8! I guess we are all lucky they don't use Linux :-D http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/borowitzreport/2013/04/north-korean-missile-test-delayed-by-windows-8.html

SETI at Home

I've been part of the SETI at Home program for years now. In this program your computer, when not in use by you, is used by the program to sift through huge amounts of data looking for signals from space.

Today I found out that SETI's policy, if a signal from space is discovered, is to NOT report this to the public. Instead, this private organization will notify the government and ask them what to do.

Now wait... You use my computer -for years, but aren't going to tell me if something is found?

I might have to stop allowing them access to my computers. Am I wrong in thinking that the thousands of people who participate in this program somehow have the right to know if a signal from space is discovered?

Almost Perfect Day

Today was the kind of day I was made for... Temp was 80 and it was mostly sunny. Too bad the waves weren't cooperative - 2 ft waves and a 5 sec period.