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I survived Snowpacalypse!
posted by Kristen on February 7, 2010 @ 9:49AM

Ok, so we didn't get quite as much snow as Washington.  About 18 inches compared to DC's 26 or so.  Drew and I made it our mission to stay ahead of the storm, so we shoveled a total of 6 times over the course of 24 hours.  Still have to shovel the end of the driveway after the plows come through (that will be at least another day) and we will have to do the sidewalks (damn HOA).  

Last weekend's snow gave us Mon - Wed off, then we went to school for half a day Thursday and then had another snow day Friday anticipating this weekend's storm.  They already called this coming Mon and Tues off, and we are supposed to get more snow Tuesday night, so I think we might go back Thursday.   I wanted a snow day for my birthday, and I got a snow week and a half!  Yippie!  

Marc, did you see any more snow?   

 

 

4 comments | Tags: None

Rise of the attack software
posted by GJ on January 30, 2010 @ 9:26AM

If you've spent any amount of time on the Internet, you've probably encountered some or all of the following:

  • viruses / trojans
  • spy / ad ware
  • spam
  • phishing
  • spear-phishing
  • dns poisoning

The Net is a dangerous place for the uninformed, but many products exist to minimize the risk.  Over time, some people (hopefully) have learned to also stop their risky online behavior, so they're at little risk of damage.

However, most people still engage in unsafe online conduct.  They fail to keep their antivirus up to date, don't use a router, open every attachment they get from people, and buy products sold by spam.  The criminals are still at it, because there are marks freely available even after all these years.

Well, the fine researchers at Criminals R Us developed some nasty software that works like this:

  1. You get infected the usual way (spware / trojan).
  2. Windows alerts you to corrupted files (looks pretty official).
  3. Holy crap--your TPS reports are corrupt!  And you have no backup!  (you, my friend, are asking for it).
  4. Whew--Microsoft recommends a product to fix this.  Data Doctor 2010 to the rescue!
  5. You download it, run it, and it cleans up one file.  See, now you can access TPS report #1...but you have 19 more to fix.  The trial software only does one file.
  6. You then pay those nice folks at Data Doctor $89.99 for the complete version of the software.  Shortly thereafter, all your TPS reports are fixed.  Yay!  You tell all your friends...
Unfortunately for you, you didn't have corrupt files.  What you had were encrypted files.  The nice spyware app found a list of files, likely your Microsoft office docs, but maybe even just files you've recently touched hoping they're not backed up, and encrypted them (that means scramble them with a secret key, and you can only unscramble them with that same secret key).  To the uninitiated, the files will indeed appear corrupt--a mess of weird characters if you try to view them directly.
 
The spyware then hijacks the windows security icon in the taskbar to alert you to the problem, and "Microsoft recomends" text is shown to the now panicked computer owner.  You then download Data Doctor 2010, which is a sweet looking app (uh, I mean trojan), but it's only the unregistered trial version--to give you a taste of the "fix" b by correcting just one file.  It picks up the encryption key stored in the original spyware app, and unscrambles your one file.  It then helpfully gives you a way to pay for the full program.
 
By the time it's all over, you have:
  • paid a crook $90
  • effectively installed TWO pieces of bad code on your machine
  • given your credit card info to that same crook.
  • probably given this to your friends, either directly, or that bad code sitting on your box helpfully passes it to them.
How to protect against it?
 
First:  don't get it.  If you're following all the guidelines for safe computing, use a router, antivirus software, antispyware software, etc., you probably won't get this fun guy.
 
Second:  Back up your files regularly.  Best way to combat this would be to nuke the corrupted files, run an antivirus scan, and move on with your life without giving the crook anything.
 
Third:  Got corrupted files, and now it's telling you to download Disk Doctor?  Don't.  Disconnect this computer from the web, and go to another computer and look up the information on this infection to see how it might be undone (today, I don't know of a way, but in the future someone may write a tool to extract the key from the spyware and decrypt your files for you...but don't bet on it).
 
For more technical information and screenshots of the infection's windows and popups, please see this report

Safe computing, everyone!

2 comments | Tags: scam, internet, education, computers

New Super Mario Brothers Wii
posted by Marc on January 29, 2010 @ 1:05PM

Super Mario Brothers returns to the Wii, this time with up to 4 player simultaneously on the screen helping to get through the puzzle.

I was hesitant to get this, because it's pretty expensive and I don't know how much better it would be than Super Mario Brothers 3, which you can download on the Wii as well. I also heard the multiplayer is "kinda cool" but really frustrating. Disregarding all of these seemingly valid points, I decided to throw my money away and pick it up anyway.

This game is cool. If you like the feel of Super Mario Brothers 3, you will love this. It can get just as challenging and frustrating as the old games and the multiplayer is really fun (so long as you don't get overly frustrated with taking your time through the levels). I find it's actually more challenging with other people because the difficult sections become even harder trying to get another person with you through them. Nintendo came up with an easy out though in case it's just too frustrating, just have your partner enter their bubble and they'll float around as you finish the section of the level.

All-in-all, I've been pretty addicted to it this past week and would recommend it. 

11 comments | Tags: games, wii

Netbooks
posted by Kristen on January 19, 2010 @ 7:25PM

So, netbooks.  What exactly are they?  Minature lap-tops?  Web surfers?  Glorified camera phones?  

 We're tossing around the idea of getting one for Drew's mom to help keep her busy and less lonely.  If there was an easy for for her to access the internet and email with something that didn't take up a lot of space and was easy to learn how to use....

 Any ideas? 

39 comments | Tags: computers

Snowblowers
posted by GJ on January 15, 2010 @ 1:02PM

Some people prefer snowblowers over shoveling.  Of those snowblowing people, some need a little American Muscle Car in their snowblower, and they think they have the biggest, baddest snowblower around.

 

Not to be outdone by your neighbor, you could get one of these:

Or, if you need your private rail line cleared of winter's fury, you might want one of these:

Now THAT is a snowblower.

6 comments | Tags: video

Merry Christmas!
posted by GJ on December 24, 2009 @ 9:40PM

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

1 comment | Tags: holidays

Guitar Hero Christmas Lights
posted by Marc on December 23, 2009 @ 10:13AM

Check out the latest fad in Christmas lights:

In case you're wondering what that awesome song is, it's Eric Johnson's Cliffs of Dover.

6 comments | Tags: music, video, Christmas

Great Christmas Song
posted by Steve on December 20, 2009 @ 7:25PM

I had never heard this song until the drive home today.  It was great!

http://www.links2love.com/christmas-im-gettin-nuttin-for-christmas.htm

5 comments | Tags: music, Christmas

SNOW.
posted by Kristen on December 19, 2009 @ 6:11AM

"Blockbuster":  will be studied for decades to come

 "an Historic event"

 "Catastrophic" 

 

We are cracking up over the excitement of the local weathermen about this storm! 

15 comments | Tags: None

What games to bring this year?
posted by GJ on December 16, 2009 @ 12:21PM

Christmas is coming SOON and I probably don't have room to bring every board game I have these days.  So, here's the list, you folks get to vote on what you'd like to play.  Note, Steve and Parsla have dupes of some of these, so perhaps they can bring one or two of them.  Anyhow, here goes:

  • Dominion & Dominion Intrigue
  • Ticket to Ride / TTR 1910 expansion
  • Ticket to Ride Europe
  • Settlers of Catan
  • Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot
  • Apples to Apples
  • Balderdash
  • Clever Endeavor
  • Inklings
  • Risk
  • Axis & Allies
  • I'm sure there are a few more, but I forget.
Vote in the comments below.  Voting is open through 12/24.

24 comments | Tags: holidays

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