Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-5-2019: Our George.

26th May, 2019.

Did I ever mention I had a couple of … extra accounts?

Extra social media accounts, that is: that would’ve been used, originally, to help promoted Nik Nak’a Old Peculiar.

And that I’d not actually used for several years.

After my step-father’s recent death?

I had to admit to having concerns that his social media hadn’t been closed.   Something I’m still concerned about, but that isn’t necessarily for me to handle.

It DID get me thinking, though.

I’d closed my old — and long since abandoned — Hotmail account many years ago.   After someone had managed to highjack it, and start sending out spam.

So I figured that doing the same with the extra Gmail account was a good idea.

But that first?   I should delete the extra Twitter and Facebook accounts.

It did take a while.

Especially as I had to log into my old MacPro tower to get the relevant passwords!

Still … 

Frankly … ?

Job done … 

~≈§≈~

Banning Operating Systems

Hmmm …

That’s something … 

You’ve possibly noticed that — outside of the Daily Teasers, and other associated bits and bobs — I’ve not written much, here.

Job-hunting’s getting more frantic, if you follow me.

At ANY rate, I do try and post up about all sorts of things: as and when they catch my eyes.

One news item did, today.

The one on the BBC’s news site — here — that tells us China has banned Windows.

Let me try an be accurate, there.

The Chinese government has banned government departments and offices from using desktops, laptops and tablets running Windows 8, the current and newest version of Microsoft’s operating system.

Mostly, it seems many Chinese government computer are running various versions of Windows XP: which Microsoft have ended security support for.

China are, appreciably, loath to replace XP with an operating system that leaves them reliant on foreign companies for security updates and fixes.

~≈Ê≈~

A BT Spam Warning

OK, SLIGHTLY weird experience, here.

I’m actually using my SPARE machine: a late 1990s vintage G4 Mac, running Tiger.

JUST in case you’re interested … !

Not that that’s why I’m writing.

I actually thought it best to let you now I’ve had a spam email.

Yes, I know, happens all the time.

But this one in particular … ?

Claimed to be from my broadband, BT provider.

Thankfully … ?   Well, thankfully, I’d made sure I’d kept my last BT billing mail: I’ve had one of these emails, before, and kept my genuine bill, so I had something to compare any more fakes to.

I’m ALSO thankful Safari has a rather good phising filter: which warned me that the link in the mail was a dodgy one.

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, I thought it best to put up a screen shot: just to let my fellow BT users know: “Keep Your Eyes Peeled … !”   And ALSO let you know, you can forward the spam to abuse@bt.com.

So you know.

Security

Well …

That’s nice to know.   I’ll be honest, I was a touch worried the grit I’d put out, on Monday, had washed away.

Seemingly, it’s held out, so far: whether it’s going to STAY holding out is another matter, obviously.

At ANY rate … ?   You can get in touch with you local county councillor, and ask for some grit: you can also ask — if you’re in Brentwood — your local councillor.

~~~~~

At any rate, the reason why I was out and about, today, was to deliver some leaflets, for the local Lib Dems, so you know.

And have to admit, I came across something mildly worrying, at one flat.

The owners had left a spare key in their letterbox.

Which is only NOT worrying when you realise most burglars, whatever reason they’re burgling for, are chancers.

Opportunists, in other words: ones who, when they see a front-door key conveniently near to the lock it opens, will politely say thank you, and walk right on.

I’ll be honest, that left me tempted enough to unlock the door and leave a polite note making exactly that point.

I didn’t, though.

I DID manage to get in touch with local councillor, Karen Chilvers, to pass on the address, and let her know my concerns: she’s offered to get in touch with the owners/occupiers, and have a word about it, and basic home security.

I’m hoping she’ll be able to let us all know how it goes.

But in the mean time, I’ll quote this site’s tips, ones that to me, sound good: if you have anything to add, please feel free to comment.

Always lock the door and close the windows when you go out, even if you'll only be out for a short time

All external doors should have 3 locking points. Mortice locks will add considerable strength to your door - you can buy them at your local DIY store

Window locks can help to stop people getting in, especially in older windows and windows without double glazing

Use deadlocks if you have them - they make it harder for thieves to get out again

If you are thinking of PVC or metal framed doors/windows, make sure they come with good built in locks and a fitted chain, as these can be expensive to add afterwards

Patio doors should have special locks fitted to the top and bottom – ask your DIY store for advice

Don't leave spare keys outside or in a garage or shed. Keep garden sheds and garages locked and think about using a battery-operated alarm

Keep car and garage keys out of sight in the house

Don't leave window and door keys in their locks

Always draw your curtains at night and make sure valuable items cannot be easily seen from outside

Use timers for lights and radios if you will be out of the house overnight. They create the impression that someone is at home. It is not recommended to use TVs for this purpose

Visible burglar alarms, good lighting and security lighting can be deterrents. Particularly ensure that recessed areas and doorways have good security lighting. Make sure that lights don't disturb your neighbours and that alarms turn off after 20 minutes

Walls and solid fencing around your house may let a thief break in without being seen. Trees and shrubs can also be hiding places. Chain-link fencing or trellises with prickly shrubs can be a better compromise

Make sure that garden tools or ladders that could be used to force entry into your home are not left lying around

Fit a ‘spy hole' so that you can see who is at the door. Also have a door chain so that you can open the door a little way to talk to visitors

Mark your belongings with a property-marking product

Neighbourhood Watch and other ‘watch' schemes are excellent ways for communities to fight burglary

I’ll ALSO mention this one, as well: although there’s a warning, I’ll add.   A few years ago, the BBC showed a home make-over shaw called Beat the Burglar.   The presenters persuaded a home owner to let themselves be burgled by the shows reformed burglar*.

And THEN made the home over with various security improvements.

That second site mentions dog.   The one episode of Beat the Burglar that mentioned dogs, showed us how easily a burglar could deal with them.

By grabbing a open packet of sausages from the fridge and feeding them to the family pooches.   He carried on burgling the house, whilst being followed around by the dogs, who were wagging their tails.

Just a thought for you …

*        Who, since leaving gaol, made his money as a security advisor.

Apple taking technical, legal action against Flashback malware | Macworld

Apple taking technical, legal action against Flashback malware | Macworld

Right, HERE we go … 

I’ll happily admit to being something of a Mac fanboi: and what’s more, one that doesn’t usually like mentioning the M word.

But let’s be frank, here, malware gets everywhere: including on the usually untouched OS X platform.

As you’re probably aware, I’ve already highlighted the fact that a cross-platform nasty has been doing the rounds just recently.

But I also thought I should post a link to the above report from MacWorld: highlighting Apple’s announcement that they’ll be “developing software that will detect and remove the Flashback malware.”: further more, “In addition to the Java vulnerability, the Flashback malware relies on computer servers hosted by the malware authors to perform many of its critical functions. Apple is working with ISPs worldwide to disable this command and control network.”.

Have fun with that, folks: keep yourself covered.

BBC News - Half a million Mac computers 'infected with malware'

BBC News - Half a million Mac computers 'infected with malware'

Hmm … 

That’s a little embarrassing … !

I’ve got to admit, USUALLY, I’m always fairly smug about the fact there’s not much in the way of malware doing the rounds that’ll affect OS X.

In point of fact, I think the last one was the Flashback trojan, back in September of last, that disguised itself as a version of the Flashplayer software from Adobe,

However, in recent weeks … ?

A variation on the theme, that took advantage of cross-platform programming language, Java, has recently been doing the rounds.

Apple have, of course, issued a patch for their implementation of the language.

But … ?

Well, I’d hit the Software Update button, if that update hasn’t shown up, already.

And to be on the safe side … ?

You can also download it from here, here and the Snow Leopard one from here … 

If you’ve not managed to do that, as yet?   You can try this as an alternative … 

Oh … And you can find out more, here … 

Now, to quote Hill Street Blues … ?

“Be careful out there … ”