HOW TO of the month

Here is a first- Figure I would pass on some good knowledge on HOW TO do something...

THIS MONTH: Keyloggers



What's a keylogger? It's a small, virus-type program that can accidentally be installed on your computer. How might a keylogger be installed on your system?

* Visiting an untrustworthy web site. Some sites may have code in them that exploit your web browser and cause it to quietly install a keylogging application without your permission. (Note: even turstworthy sites can be hacked! The same hackers who are after your information can hack what you think of as trustworthy sites and add exploit code to them which could give you a keylogger.)
* Downloading addons (or other files) from an untrustworthy site. Any executable file you download could contain a keylogger or virus, so before you download a file, be sure you're downloading it from a source you trust!

Once a keylogger gets installed, it starts recording every keystroke you make. And when you type in your account name and password for your WoW account, it captures that, too. The next time you access the Internet, it sends your private information to the hackers who use it to log into WoW and strip all your characters of everything valuable leaving you with a penniless toon wearing nothing but his trousers. This also works for banking sites, online stores and whereever your internet habits take you.

This all sounds pretty scary, but don't worry -- there are ways to protect yourself from keylogging programs!


A WoW European Hunter, Eldariel, has written a great guide to defend your computer from keyloggers, spyware and viruses. Here's a run-down of what you can do to keep your computer safe and sound:

* Get a virus scanner. Grisoft provides one for free. Be sure to configure it to scan your system regularly and to check for updates. (Even the best anti-virus software won't do you any good if it doesn't know about the latest virus information -- so keep it updated!)
* Get a free anti-spyware program and run it. Spy Sweeper is a good one. As with your anti-virus software, be sure to configure it to scan your system regularly and check for updates.
* Install firewall software that prevents any unauthorized access between your computer and the Internet. Comodo is recommended. Again, its free and well regarded.
* Be sure to run the latest version of your browser software. Whether it's Internet Explorer or Firefox, keep it patched and up to date! Many exploits that hackers used have already been patched by the software vendors -- all you have to do is stay updated!
* On the subject of browsers, consider using Firefox. There's plenty of room for debate on whether it's more secure than Internet Explorer, but for now, at least, there are more viruses and exploits out there that target Internet Explorer, simply because it's more widely-used.
* Keep your OS up to date. Just like with browsers, many hackers will try to install keyloggers on your system using exploits that have long since been patched by the software vendor. If you run Windows, be sure to run Windows Update regularly -- in fact, I recommend setting it up to run automatically on a daily basis.
* Be careful downloading files! While your anti-virus and anti-spyware software should catch anything that gets installed, it's better to catch them before they get installed and have a chance to cause damage. Never download files from sites you don't trust and be wary of opening unexpected e-mail attachments.

FOR GAMERS / WOW PLAYERS:
* You can configure your WoW client to remember your user name. In this case, even if you get a keylogger installed, they'll find your password, but won't know your account name. The password is useless without the account name, and if you don't type the account name, a keylogger won't see it.

MOST IMPORTANT: Never share your password. You may just give it to one person, but who knows where it could go from there. (For all you know they've got it on a post-it note on their monitor where anyone can see it.)

Olympic update and more

Hey gang,

Just the usual week for me:
Monday: 7am goto work; 4pm leave for train to Philly, 6-9pm class; get back on train 10pm get home.
Tuesday: See Monday
Wednesday: See Monday
Thursday: Work till 4:30, then get home to do whatever we need to get fixed/ finished before the weekend
Friday: Work till 4, then maybe get in a movie.
Weekend: Usually involves work or going somewhere. the weekend ends with a Sunday night WOW session with Nicole and some friends.

It gets very tiring to do every week.

This weekend its all about Da football (IFL that is..) We draft Sunday and it should be alot of fun; Good food, friends and family :D

Speaking of WOW - We did manage to get tickets to Blizzcon this fall, and now we are all set; hotel, car and airfare are done. Now I need to get the catalina trip done and we are all set :)

OLYMPIC UPDATE:
After watching some of the games, I found the true identity of Michael Phelps:




Then Jamaica revealed their secret agent Usain Bolt in the Olympics:

August comes from nowhere....

Hey all,

Well, its been another few weekends, but the kitchen is now at the 95% done marker; all that is left is the floor. That is this weekends big project. Thursday we will be shopping colors and styles and unless we need to order something, it will happen.

Next up - the living room floor

8 years ago today Nicole and I met for the first time.

MORE UPDATES:

HOME: Chris is now 10 months old! WOW!! He is usually found bouncing in his crib when we go in to get him in the morning. he is too cute :D total Gerber baby coverman. Check out some new photos over on the photo link to my picasa.

Also, We didnt know he made a movie either:



It pops up alot more now and Nicole hasn't seen his movie yet, so it will be done :D

Tigger hit 8 years old today - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIGGER!

SCHOOL- not too good on the midterms; passing but not good. I need to do more on my part and hopefully it will happen since the next few weekends after this will be doing other things. Class registration is on the 14th and I can only take two classes this coming quarter- another Mon, Tues, Wed combo night that SUCKS bigtime.

GAMING: No board games recently except a settlers game a few weeks ago. Gonna mummify my collection soon unless we start playing again. WOW is well, WOW. We found another guild to play with and everyone seems to enjoy more people to quest with. This last weekend they did a 10-man dungeon run and had fun. Check out the guild site at cofguild.blogspot.com for more info on our guild.

FOOTBALL: Its football time once again. We voted out keepers, so its a pure draft league now. We just started the first round and its going very slow this year - Dave B is on vacation; Travis just had their first baby Saturday; Dave B#2 is coming out to philly on vacation. I just hope everyone is around for the draft on the 24th :P

OK- thats a good start.