Security update

Well, I just read an article that I think everyone should read. Click here for the article. Read the Talkback comments too, this just applies to Windows users. If this is not frightening enough for the average person to seriously think about switching operating systems, then I don't know what will do it. No matter what you do on the Net, you need to have a lot of defenses up so that your computer, personal information, identity, life is/are not hijacked.

I know my computers (the ones that I have personally, and the ones that the responsibility has fallen to me to maintain (family, friends, etc.)) are firewalled, anti-virused, anti-spywared, etc out the wazoo. This still does not keep them completely safe. Anyone who goes to a website that contains any kind of questionable content on it is at risk of downloading a malicious program, or having a 'browse-by' download happen. This doesn't take into account the email scams, phishing, attachments and all of the other crap that we have come to regard as the 'norm' in our online lives.

I admit, I am an advocate of “Anything But Microsoft”. Let's get that out of the way right now. If I didn't have to see/use/hear about anything having to do with MS and Windows ever again, I'd be a happier camper. Unfortunately, I live in the real world. Linux, MAC OS, Solaris, UNIX, the BDS's and the rest of the alternative OS's are far superior to Win, but the mainstream public, and industry/business are for the most part MS centric. Even our public schools are MS centric. Try sending a child to school with anything other than MS experience and see what happens. I use Opera as my browser of choice, and have raised my kids and wife to use and prefer it. We used to use Netscape (way back when), but for the past 6 or 7 years it's been Opera. The kids are forced to use Internet Explorer in school, along with the plethora of MS products that are out there. The only reason IE is even on my computers is so that I can perform Windows Updates. Otherwise I would break its functionality. A fall-back if Opera is unable to open/display a page (rare), or the web-designer has used too many IE specific coding is Firefox. Ask at your school if they have ever heard of anything that isn't MS. I'll bet you get a deer-in-the-hedalights-look.

So, what are our options?

Change the operating system you use. This isn't as hard as you think. Linux on the desktop has come a long way in the past couple of years. Just about everyone knows a geek they can ask for help too. The learning curve is a little steep, but if all you're going to do is browse the web, email, word processing, etc. (the basics), then Linux and a little time can save you a lot of headaches and money (from the constant MS/spyware/adware upgrades).
1a. Move to MAC OS. This falls under changing OS type, but also right now, under a hardware change. MAC OS is based on a UNIX variant called BSD. It is inherently better and safer than MS. The learning curve isn't as steep as Linux, but the hardware costs are a little more, especially if you're not planning to upgrade anytime soon.

Become a security expert and keep up with all of the changes in bad/malicious programs and how you can stop them at your front door. This is a lot harder and time consuming than it is worth most of the time. I do try to keep up with computer security issues, but not being an expert, it is hard and becoming harder every day.

Firewall your computer/network. A hardware firewall in conjunction with a software firewall on each computer is the best bet. Have any old computer sitting around? Install SmoothWall on it and the free ZoneAlarm firewall on each computer you have. READ the manuals, help files and any other documentation you have to familiarize yourself with the programs and get to know how to use them and what is/isn't a threat.

Install, use, and keep these programs up to date. Use them religiously:

AdAware
SpyBot Search and Destroy
AntiVir Personal Edition Classic

Either that, or you can stop connecting to the Internet.

Sorry that this post meanders so much. My mind works at about 1000% that my fingers can type.

Random thought

I can end this whole Darwinism/Evolution vs. Intelligent design/Creationism debate right here and now. Look at our fearful leader G.W. If that isn't proof that intelligence wasn't in the design, then nothing is. It also goes to prove that not everyone is at the same level of evolution...

A workday rant

NO, I will NOT fix your computer!

God, I'd love to say those words to some people! Working in a corporation and having to deal with people who shouldn't be near anything more technical that a dishrag can be frustrating, to say the very least. At most, you KNOW why some people go postal. And it's not just for the notoriety, but the satisfaction (I can only imagine...). OK, OK, I'm kidding. Geez...some people. I don't have these violent fantasies, but sometimes you have to wonder.

Why does anyone accept a job and then not know the least little thing about working with the equipment? Who hires these people too, that's another question. I know that in our HR dept., technology is a long way from something they're familiar with. So I guess it's not surprising that the people they hire couldn't find the button side of a mouse. But still...in this day and age, shouldn't the least familiarity with a computer be something that is expected when applying for or hiring for an open position. Especially when you're going to be sitting in front of that computer for most of your work day. Maybe sitting in front of is the operable phrase here, not using or trying to understand what that box actually does. Or how you have to remember your password, and IT WILL CHANGE occasionally. Then, you have to remember the NEW one for a period of time. Is that so hard to figure out????

Can you tell my work days are positive and fulfilling????

Background Info...

OK, so I guess a little background might be useful. I turned 'The Answer to The Ultimate Question Of Life, the Universe, and Everything' this year. Meaning that I was born at the ass-end of the baby boom, and I have been referred to that many times in the course of my life. And, I guess I've always been a geek, even when I didn't know it. If the above doesn't explain it, then I don't know what does.

Anyway, I'm in my second marriage (yes, some geeks DO indeed have the social skills needed to attract a mate), my longest term of employment for a single entity (over 7 years and counting), my first house, and my last nerve. So much happens so fast these days. Who can keep up? It's these modern conveniences that make our lives so much easier that take away all of the time that our forebears had in seeming abundance. If you're reading THIS, then you know exactly what I mean. If the 60's ands 70's had Television as the 'boob tube', then the PC has morphed into just that for us. Hell, when I got my first personal computer (Commodore64), no one saw me after I got home from work, then when I moved into the PC stage, and had a modem, no one saw me at all.

I'd leave my computer operations job (mainframes) and go home, fire up the PC, and surf the bulletin boards all morning, I work midnights so just call me Drac. From BBS's to the Internet, I've been a slave to the computer at work and home for a LONG time.

Enough for now, I have to actually start my job for the night.

Inaugural post

Well here is my experiment into whether anyone is interested in reading and/or commenting on the semi-coherent, semi-literate ramblings of a self-professed geek. I can't promise any kind of frequent updates or any life altering wisdom, but it just might be fun to tag along every now and then as I let my mind out for a stroll.

Hope you enjoy the ride...