Yes, yes, yes. I have said I would turn over a new leaf and start blogging. Well, hopefully this time I can keep it up.
It is SO hot here in Kansas right now that you don't feel like even sticking your nose out the door to find out how hot it REALLY is out there. So, from the comfort of my basement office, I can sit in the coolness and do my thing.
I was taken back to an earlier time this morning after viewing some clothes online from a store that I use. See? It's too hot even to go try on clothes! Thank goodness I know my size and can order without getting hot. Anyway, there was a pant design on there that instantly transported me back to an earlier era. The pants had a base color with HUGE flowers on them. The era was ......... (text removed to protect the innocent) ............ and I had this pair of bell bottom pants that were bright blue with huge daisies on them. There wasn't much room for anything else, and they were so bold and bright, and I remember going to the park with them once and playing with a frisbee on the grass with bare feet. What a nice memory .... except for those pants!
Thank goodness I can order something else, like a nice, respectable, pair of dark navy pants, and leave the flower pants to the kids.
Lol.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Thursday, April 7, 2011
When you are browsing the web, keep a lookout for the LizaMoon malware. There is an increasing number of links on the Internet that have been hijacked by this malware. Typically, while browsing, all of a sudden a very official looking alert window will open and inform you that it is going to scan your PC. If you follow through, malware gets installed on your PC.
If a window pops up wanting to scan your PC, even if it looks like a legitimate Windows alert (this can be faked), don't run it. Stop the process by clicking the red X on the alert window, or, close your browser. Use Windows task manager if that doesn't work to end it. Then, run a full virus scan of your PC with your virus protection software.
Don't ever run or install virus protection software that presents itself to you while browsing. ONLY use the software you have on your PC to run scans.
If a window pops up wanting to scan your PC, even if it looks like a legitimate Windows alert (this can be faked), don't run it. Stop the process by clicking the red X on the alert window, or, close your browser. Use Windows task manager if that doesn't work to end it. Then, run a full virus scan of your PC with your virus protection software.
Don't ever run or install virus protection software that presents itself to you while browsing. ONLY use the software you have on your PC to run scans.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Long Time, No Blog
Yes, I know it's been awhile since I have blogged, but I am turning over a new leaf today.
I received an email this morning that was structured so that it appears to be from the U.S. Social Security Administration. It was structured to imply that if you are having financial or credit woes that you can apply for a new SSN.
DON'T BE FOOLED BY THIS EMAIL, and don't click on any of the links. Above all, don't reply to any web based or email inquiry unless you have initiated the contact and you are absolutely sure that you have reached the website you intended, and never give out your SSN to an unsolicited email.
If anyone has questions, please let me know.
I received an email this morning that was structured so that it appears to be from the U.S. Social Security Administration. It was structured to imply that if you are having financial or credit woes that you can apply for a new SSN.
DON'T BE FOOLED BY THIS EMAIL, and don't click on any of the links. Above all, don't reply to any web based or email inquiry unless you have initiated the contact and you are absolutely sure that you have reached the website you intended, and never give out your SSN to an unsolicited email.
If anyone has questions, please let me know.
Monday, August 4, 2008
We've come a long way.....baby!
I came across this web site link from one of my on-line newsletters:
http://www.archive.org/web/web.php
The site is called "The Wayback Machine," and they have archived websites as far back as 1999. It is very interesting to browse web pages that were used during the time frame where we were all getting used to our on-line world. We really have come a long, long way.
When we first started creating web sites at Rossini.com, the browsers didn't support any image formats except .gif. We only created images with 256 colors to make sure we were compatible with all types of computer equipment, and our target monitor was 640 x 480 resolution. If you think about those parameters, you can see how far we have come.
On the website, you can type in a domain, and the Wayback Machine will offer links for the website as far back as possible. I enjoyed looking at sites, ours included, going back to 1999. Give it a try; it really is an eye opener.
They also offer collections of archival sites, such as National archives, weather related sites, 2000 Election sites, September 11 archives, etc.
http://www.archive.org/web/web.php
The site is called "The Wayback Machine," and they have archived websites as far back as 1999. It is very interesting to browse web pages that were used during the time frame where we were all getting used to our on-line world. We really have come a long, long way.
When we first started creating web sites at Rossini.com, the browsers didn't support any image formats except .gif. We only created images with 256 colors to make sure we were compatible with all types of computer equipment, and our target monitor was 640 x 480 resolution. If you think about those parameters, you can see how far we have come.
On the website, you can type in a domain, and the Wayback Machine will offer links for the website as far back as possible. I enjoyed looking at sites, ours included, going back to 1999. Give it a try; it really is an eye opener.
They also offer collections of archival sites, such as National archives, weather related sites, 2000 Election sites, September 11 archives, etc.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
And all this time I thought it was just anoying!
For someone who has been dinged, popped, and trumpeted, over and over, by our favorite operating system since the days of Windows 3.1 (yes, I was there), and treated to the sight of the dreaded "blue screen," I was really amused by music I found that was created with Windows sounds. The video lasts about 2 minutes, and the music was created with sounds from Windows XP and 98. Who knew it was more than just an aggravation? Apparently, I have missed the mark, and should have been composing instead of cursing all of these years!
Here's the link to the video:
http://www.flixxy.com/windows-music.htm
Enjoy it!!
Here's the link to the video:
http://www.flixxy.com/windows-music.htm
Enjoy it!!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
It's 12:00 a.m. Do you know where your domains are?
Do you know where your domains are registered? Every domain is registered with a company that keeps track of domain ownership. This is a very important fact that anyone who owns a domain should know.
The registrars keep track of the owner of the domain, the name, address, and email, and also a set of designated contacts named Administrative and Technical. Usually, any information regarding the domain, such as when it's time to renew the domain, goes to the Administrative Contact, and the Technical Contact. Also, the Technical Contact can access the account and change settings, such as the information that points to the server where the domain is located.
Why is this important? It is the main, and sometimes only, way the registrars communicate with the owners of a domain. For instance, when a domain needs to be renewed (domains have to be renewed every year, unless you purchase multiple years), an email alert will be sent to the contacts on record. If the email information isn't correct, then you won't know that the domain needs to be renewed. Then when the expiration date comes, the domain will be suspended until someone contacts the registrar, and after a grace period, the domain goes back out on the Internet to be purchased by someone else.
If you have changed any of your contact information, email, address, etc. it's important to login to your domain account and keep that updated. We have worked with many people who don't know where their domain is registered. If you fit into that category, then I highly recommend finding out where your domain is registered, and make sure you have access. If you should need to make a change, such as moving your domain to a new service, and you don't know the registrar information, then you may have to go through a lengthy process to retrieve that information.
If you don't know where to start, we can assist you in finding your registrar, and retrieving your user name and password. Then, keep up with the documentation, and keep your information current.
The registrars keep track of the owner of the domain, the name, address, and email, and also a set of designated contacts named Administrative and Technical. Usually, any information regarding the domain, such as when it's time to renew the domain, goes to the Administrative Contact, and the Technical Contact. Also, the Technical Contact can access the account and change settings, such as the information that points to the server where the domain is located.
Why is this important? It is the main, and sometimes only, way the registrars communicate with the owners of a domain. For instance, when a domain needs to be renewed (domains have to be renewed every year, unless you purchase multiple years), an email alert will be sent to the contacts on record. If the email information isn't correct, then you won't know that the domain needs to be renewed. Then when the expiration date comes, the domain will be suspended until someone contacts the registrar, and after a grace period, the domain goes back out on the Internet to be purchased by someone else.
If you have changed any of your contact information, email, address, etc. it's important to login to your domain account and keep that updated. We have worked with many people who don't know where their domain is registered. If you fit into that category, then I highly recommend finding out where your domain is registered, and make sure you have access. If you should need to make a change, such as moving your domain to a new service, and you don't know the registrar information, then you may have to go through a lengthy process to retrieve that information.
If you don't know where to start, we can assist you in finding your registrar, and retrieving your user name and password. Then, keep up with the documentation, and keep your information current.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Protecting Your Data
We all have safety measures to protect the things we treasure. We protect our credit card and bank account information, we have keys to our cars, keys to our house, and we protect other account information by shredding information we don't want other people to view or use.
But, do you also take care to protect your online information? When we think about having information taken online thoughts usually go toward making purchases online. While it's important to stay sharp and protect your information while shopping, do you take as much care with the rest of your online information?
Today, being online means we all have at least one email account, possibly more. Most of us also have domain names we have purchased. Some of us probably are responsible for updating websites as well through some type of CMS interface. All of these services require user names and passwords for access. How strict you are about defining passwords will in large part determine how safe your data really is.
If your email address is part of the access code, i.e. your user name, then anyone online looking to get your information already has 1/2 of the access code. Your name is Bob, and your email is bob@hotmail.com, and your dog's name is spot - that's probably the password. If so, then the person is in your application, and there's nothing to stop it, except the password that's too easy to guess.
In the recent past, most of you received passwords from system managers, like me, and we really are bad about assigning passwords that are hard to remember. But, we know how important it is to safeguard this information. Today, there are so many areas where people can sign up for services, and the password, along with the security, is up to you when you define your password. If you have not been been diligent about defining good passwords, then now at the beginning of the year is a good time to start.
What makes a good password? Basically, something random that is hard to guess. Yes, you have to remember it, but it will keep your information safe. For starters, a good password should be 8 characters in length. Preferably, it should contain numbers and alpha characters. Ideally, it should be completely random, and not something like brenda33, although that's better than Spot! :)
This small, but important safeguard could save you some big headaches later. Imaging having someone hack into your web registry and point your domain to another site, or get a copy of all of your email? All of these services should have a good password to protect them.
The saying is really true: better safe now than sorry later.
But, do you also take care to protect your online information? When we think about having information taken online thoughts usually go toward making purchases online. While it's important to stay sharp and protect your information while shopping, do you take as much care with the rest of your online information?
Today, being online means we all have at least one email account, possibly more. Most of us also have domain names we have purchased. Some of us probably are responsible for updating websites as well through some type of CMS interface. All of these services require user names and passwords for access. How strict you are about defining passwords will in large part determine how safe your data really is.
If your email address is part of the access code, i.e. your user name, then anyone online looking to get your information already has 1/2 of the access code. Your name is Bob, and your email is bob@hotmail.com, and your dog's name is spot - that's probably the password. If so, then the person is in your application, and there's nothing to stop it, except the password that's too easy to guess.
In the recent past, most of you received passwords from system managers, like me, and we really are bad about assigning passwords that are hard to remember. But, we know how important it is to safeguard this information. Today, there are so many areas where people can sign up for services, and the password, along with the security, is up to you when you define your password. If you have not been been diligent about defining good passwords, then now at the beginning of the year is a good time to start.
What makes a good password? Basically, something random that is hard to guess. Yes, you have to remember it, but it will keep your information safe. For starters, a good password should be 8 characters in length. Preferably, it should contain numbers and alpha characters. Ideally, it should be completely random, and not something like brenda33, although that's better than Spot! :)
This small, but important safeguard could save you some big headaches later. Imaging having someone hack into your web registry and point your domain to another site, or get a copy of all of your email? All of these services should have a good password to protect them.
The saying is really true: better safe now than sorry later.
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