To the Volcano I Say!

If you own a business that uses computers or work with computers you need to read PCWorld's article, The Hidden Money Trail. Pay attention to pages 1, 8 & 10. This will give you some idea about the adverse properties of malware, spyware, thiefware, dungware, adware or whatever you decide to call it today. Page 1 tells the sad tale of a woman in Conway, Arkansas. This is taken from the article: Between repairs and lost revenue from downtime, Smith says her adware debacle cost her close to $5000. "What really surprised me was that the ads were from reputable companies, names you'd recognize," she says. "I got really angry that legitimate businesses would advertise their products using a program like this."

My last battle with this slime was an enormous effort. It took 2 days to clean the infestation. Something has to be done about this invasion of privacy. We need to take back the internet and not let creeps and hoodlums bang at our machines with the support of major corporations. When the authors of this article installed adware on their machines for research, they found ads from such business notables as Chrysler, Expedia, Microsoft, Priceline, and Travelocity. This is downright insane. Needless to say I won't buy a Dodge, seek travel through Expedia, search Priceline while shopping and Microsoft...well, let's not even go there. Page 8 gives you a rundown of how spyware evolves while page 10 supplies tips about how to prevent it.

There are several sites listed in the Cybersouth Links that deal with spyware prevention and removal. These are permalinks and can be accessed at any time by clicking on the link just below the beach house picture at the top of this page. Please contact me if you know of good tools that are not listed. Now I must go vacuum.

"Do not bite at the bait of pleasure till you know there is no hook beneath it."
-Thomas Jefferson

EDIT: Please participate in DineforAmerica tomorrow. Several local restaurants are giving their profits to worthy causes like the Katrina victims. In Tupelo? Try - Barnhill's, Chili's, Harvey's, Logan's, O'Charley's, Olive Garden, Outback, Park Heights, Red Lobster, Ruby Tuesday, Peppers. Addresses and phone #s can be found by clicking on the link and doing a "Find." Leave that brownbag at home, have lunch or dinner at a favorite eatery, and help out your fellow man. Thanks Melinda, for a SUPER heads up!