Music lovers, meet MOG
July 29, 2010 by Scott Kerr · Leave a Comment
At first glance MOG appears to be just another streaming music provider not unlike Pandora. There’s a lot more to like about MOG, however. While it doesn’t offer a free service beyond the initial trial, its monthly cost is nominal for what you get. Less than $10/mo gets you access to 8 million songs, ad-free listening, and a feature-rich interface. Android and iphone users (sorry, no Blackberry version yet) can download the mobile version, which lets you stream audio and even download songs for offline listening. No need to sync with your pc anymore.
The user interface is superior to Pandora in a number of ways. Like Pandora, you can create a radio station based on an artist you like, but you can fine tune how much MOG plays the artist you selected vs similar artists. So far my experience has been that MOG has been more accurate at finding bands I’m interested in as well (I’ll never forgive Pandora for recommending Nickelback to me). You can also create and share playlists, quickly access artist photos, discography, and bios.
Enough gushing, go here to find out more.
Tabnabbing: a new security exploit
June 15, 2010 by Scott Kerr · Leave a Comment
One of the latest phishing vessels to set sail has been christened “Tabnabbing” by web designer Aza Raskin. Here’s how they catch you: Let’s say you visit an infected website. The malicious agent will wait, biding its time until you open a new tab or minimize your browser window. When you’re not looking your window will then be redirected to a carefully crafted copy of say, Bank of America, Facebook, Hotmail, etc. Unwittingly, you think you’ve just left a tab open, you enter your credentials and just like that they have your info. The truly alarming part is it’s possible to detect the sites you frequent (even sites you’re currently logged into), making the threat far more targeted and potentially successful. Raskin’s article is actually a working example of this technique, though the user name and password fields on the fake phishing page will not let you enter any information.
Since the attack comes from compromised websites the virus needs not infect your own computer. It uses javascript on the web page itself to redirect your browser. This renders your anti-virus useless in this scenario. The forthcoming Account Manager for Firefox promises to prevent this and other phishing threats, but it is still in beta testing. For now your best bet is to always start with a new browser tab/window when you’re about to enter sensitive information and close any windows/tabs you’re finished with.
Google Tips
June 1, 2010 by Scott Kerr · Leave a Comment
I don’t know about you, but when I’m looking for information I like to get it in as few clicks as possible. What I don’t like is first having to find the website with my desired data, then hunt through a myriad of befuddling fly-out menus and web forms, all the while closing those annoying ads that somehow skulked past my pop-up blocker. There’s a simpler way to search for a lot of handy information all from the same place. Google. Here are my personal favorites:
- Track packages – Enter a tracking number for FedEx, UPS, or USPS and you’ll get a link to the results.
- Weather – Enter “weather” and then your zip code. Who needs Kathy Sabine?
- Definitions – Enter “define” and then the word in question. For example, by entering “define uproarious” you’ll find out that it means “marked by or causing boisterous merriment or convulsive laughter”. Now all you have to do is casually drop it into conversation.
- Flight Info – Enter the airline followed by the flight number. Never again show up to the airport only to find out the flight has been delayed 5 hours.
- Calculator – Enter “267 * 5642” and, you guessed it, Google will promptly tell you “1,506,414”. There are many cool functions of this calculator that I won’t delve into here. I suggest you read this to find out how to take full advantage of all its features.
Evernote
May 25, 2010 by Scott Kerr · Leave a Comment
It’s not often that I find a smart phone app worthy of recommendation. It’s even less common for me to discover one that I personally use with consistency. Many available apps are novel at best, while countless others are just a waste of space, destined to dishevel your Blackberry or iphone’s menu and memory. A notable exception, however, is Evernote. At its most basic level Evernote, as its name suggests, is a note-taking application for pc’s and phones. But it’s capable of a lot more. It provides a centralized repository for just about anything you want to keep track of. In addition to providing the user with the ability to save their typed thoughts, reminders, and other ramblings, you can save voice recordings, photos, and documents. Since your entries are saved to the Evernote server you need not be concerned about gobbling up precious memory on your handheld. What’s more, your notes are available from any internet-connected computer, pda, or phone. Did I mention it’s free?
Self-Reliance
April 29, 2010 by Scott Kerr · Leave a Comment
It’s a gross understatement to say the internet has revolutionized the way we live. In the last 15 years or so, most of us have completely changed the way we communicate and access information. It takes little effort to identify numerous ways our daily activities have been streamlined as a result. We bank online, keep in touch with friends and colleagues, catch up on our favorite TV shows, and do our Christmas shopping, to name a few. But there is one often overlooked use, and in these precarious economic times its utility is all the greater. What I’m referring to is our ability to become an expert on just about anything. I’m amazed at the number of times every day I’m confronted with questions and problems to which I do not have the answer or solution, but, rest assured, someone else does, and its likely they’ve posted it somewhere on the internet. Be it a computer issue, changing the starter in my car, or tying a double Windsor, there is rarely an instance that I can’t find the information in a few clicks. Most times I’m pleased to discover the solution isn’t as daunting as it seems and well within my ability to solve, which often saves me a significant amount of time and money.
So where to begin? The best and obvious starting place is Google. Make it your best friend. If you end up searching for a similar subject often enough on Google you may end up finding another site or forum that becomes another invaluable resource. For instance, many computer issue-related searches will yield results at experts-exchange.com. So much so, that if I don’t find the answer quickly, I will search the site directly. Youtube is also a great resource. If you’re looking for instructions on how to play “Sweet Child O’ Mine” on guitar, you can bet someone has uploaded a video of just that. You can also find forums on every subject imaginable, full of knowledgeable and helpful members willing to help you accomplish your next pet project.
So next time you want to save a few bucks, search for how to change the oil in your car yourself. You’ll find it’s easier than it sounds.
Before you buy a Netbook
April 27, 2010 by Scott Kerr · Leave a Comment
I am hearing a lot of interest these days in Netbooks. Understandable, as they are small, light, and usually pretty cheap. This ultra-portability does come at a price, however, even if it’s not always calculable in real dollars and cents. Before you plop down your hard-earned cash for one there are a few things to consider.
Screen Size
Sure, it may fit in a purse (or murse…I don’t want to leave anybody out), but if it gives you a migraine when you sit down to use it, what’s the point? Go to your local PC emporium of choice and spend some time working on one. Check out the screen size and make sure you can look at it for an extended period without straining your eyes. While you can adjust the resolution to make things bigger, you will not be able to fit nearly as much on the screen and it will likely be cumbersome to navigate in and out of applications.
Productivity
Take time to consider what you will really use it for. Whether it’s an email or an essay, typing on a Netbook is a different experience than on a standard keyboard. Many of the smaller models cram often used keys into half the space, if not relocating them all together. I find I’m much more apt to make typos then I’d like, often inadvertently striking two keys simultaneously. I have to type more slowly and spend more time proofreading than I normally do.
Computing Power
Netbooks are built for portability. They have less memory and smaller hard drives (unless you opt for a larger solid state drive, which can quickly increase the cost). If you’re planning on installing many applications and storing lots of photos and documents, it is likely not the best solution for you.
Don’t get me wrong, Netbooks have their place. I use mine frequently. It is, however, important to consider these factors before deciding to choose one over a standard laptop. Bottom line is – try before you buy or you could end up with a $400 paper weight.
I'm not bitter . . . really.
March 23, 2010 by Scott Kerr · Leave a Comment
I’m a reasonable man. I’d like to say I’m even, at times, magnanimous. My patience, however, has worn a little thin with a select few friends and family members who stubbornly persist in littering my in box with inane email forwards. In the days when the internet was new and novel it was understandable. We were young and hopeful then, with the light of this brave new world agleam in our eyes (sigh). If Bill Gates sent us a message saying he was going to share his fortune with us, who were we to deny him? By now, though, we should all be older and wiser. As for the culprits who persevere in their gullibility, details of internet etiquette have no doubt reached them by now. One might hope this knowledge would curb such compulsion to spam those near and dear, regardless of whether or not they are taken in themselves.
So let me make this abundantly clear. Nobody wants your amusing anecdotes, pictures of nauseatingly cute animals, political diatribe, or inspirational quote de jour. I don’t care if the president is a direct descendant of Lucifer and snopes.com verified it, or you think the latest YouTube clip of some poor fellow getting smacked in the head with a baseball bat by his 3 year old son is the most hysterical thing since the chimp smelling his finger. Just save the bandwidth and a few seconds of both our time and click “delete”.
P.S. Send this link to 10 of your closest friends or you will have bad luck for 10 years.
Avoiding a Malware Infection
March 9, 2010 by Scott Kerr · Leave a Comment
Over the past several months we’ve seen a dramatic increase in malware infections. These viruses are often cleverly (and convincingly) disguised as Windows security alerts. Examples of this type of infection are Antivirus Live, Internet Security 2010, Antivirus 200x, etc. They masquerade as an antivirus program and tell you your computer is infected. The idea is to get you to enter your credit card information to clean these alleged infections.
While these viruses are particularly adept at getting past all the major anti-malware programs, there are some things you can do to help prevent becoming infected, as well as steps to take if you do catch a bug.
- Make sure you have all the latest Windows security updates.
- Internet Explorer tends to be more vulnerable to these kinds of attacks than browsers like Firefox and Safari. Using one of these can decrease your odds of becoming infected. Note, however, that some web-based applications are only compatible with Internet Explorer, so ask your Greystone Consultant before doing this.
- Create a separate account without administrator rights to do your surfing.
- Don’t open suspicious emails, especially attachments.
- Perhaps the most important thing of all is to become well acquainted with all your programs, especially your anti-virus/anti-spyware application. If you know what programs are installed, which of them occasionally prompt you for updates, etc, you will more easily be able to identify an imposter early on and have better luck getting rid of it quickly. The real Windows security center will never tell you about a virus infection and prompt you to complete a scan, install something else, or enter a credit card number. If you have McAfee antivirus, you should expect only McAfee to alert you of a possible infection.
- When in doubt ASK. If you are uncertain whether or not an update should be installed, DON’T DO IT. Instead, contact us as soon as possible.
If malware has already made its way through your computers defenses, usually it can still be cleaned. Bleepingcomputer.com is a great resource for instructions on how to get rid most viruses. Malwarebytes is a great free program that generally does a good job of cleaning things up. Keep in mind this program does not prevent an infection, but it can clean an already infected PC. If all else fails, contact us to get things up and running again
