Phishing is a type of scam that involves taking advantage of computer users in data transmissions or data storage to find out personal information with the intent to misuse the information for fraudulent purposes.  Phishing scams can take various forms.  Most people who use the computer on a regular basis are familiar with one of the most popular types of phishing scams, which is when the perpetrator is trying to copy or borrow logo, symbols, wording, corporate colors and other similarly related categories to disguise themselves as financial institutions or well-known corporations, such as Bank of America or Microsoft.  One of the techniques these scam artists might try includes placing a link on their site or in their e-mail which will connect the unknowing computer user to their location on the web, or to another person they are working with to steal valuable personal information.  Quite often, but not always, their wording in an e-mail directs you to take action urgently or immediately, so that an account or another financial matter can be handled without interruption of activities.  This attempt works effectively to catch people who are not on guard.  Now to take a look at efforts to monitor phishing.

PHISHY!

www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/phishing/identify.mspx, describes a type of “spear phishing” which is another phishing scam that “might look like it comes from your employer, or from a colleague who might send an e-mail message to everyone in the company, such as the head of human resources or IT.”   As Microsoft indicates at this site, the primary object of scam artists such as these is to “ask for personal data, or direct you to Web sites or phone numbers to call where they ask you to provide personal data.”    Windows Vista and the use of Internet Explorer 7 helps control phishing, but if you do not have these, Microsoft advises that everyone should use some type of phishing filter to protect valuable  personal information.

I decided to check at two banks where I have accounts to see what was indicated about phishing.  Of course, all banks ask us to review our accounts regularly, if not daily, to watch for suspicious activity.  What Bank of America states at their site at www.bankofamerica.com/privacy is that, while the bank does use cookies to gain information about the effectiveness of using their sites, they never use cookies or files such as “Flash Objects” to gather information and store that personal information unless it is encrypted.  This means that the data is not readable to anyone else.  They also of course must follow strict regulatory guidelines about who can use and access that information, and for what specific purposes.  Financial institutions must also send their updated privacy policies to customers at least once per year, as per federal requirements.  While Wachovia notes similar information in their internet privacy policies, this institution indicates at www.wachoviasecurities.com/disclosures/internet-privacy.html that Wachovia may “also use cookies to enhance risk analysis and fraud detection.”  Wachovia attempts to monitor customer behavior patterns and makes every effort to alert a customer when something questionable might be happening with a customer’s accounts.  Many banks and financial institutions have also tried to put the word out to the general public that they will never attempt to have you verify an account by having you provide any type of personal information over the internet.

Wireless network options are improving lives with even more convenient access and adding more flexibility for our many diverse and busy lifestyles.  In talking with a gentleman named Phil at Starbucks (located near the University of Richmond on Huguenot Road), I found that wireless options there are not free at the moment unless you use a T-mobile account or unless you get a Starbucks card online at www.starbucks.com.  Such services have kept Starbucks very busy and he had limited phone time to talk with me as this location was plenty busy with customers at the moment I called.  I next talked with a library clerk named Anne with the Powhatan Countly Library.  She says that this has been very beneficial to people in the community who have come even after library hours (anytime night or day) to sit in the parking lot near the library building and access the wireless network, as this service is free and unlimited.  The only limitation might be if a good signal is not available.  More can be learned about the Powhatan County Library and the technology available at www.powhatanlibrary.org. In talking with Cindy at this library today, she indicates that the wireless technology as well as other modern technology available at this location has increased the usefulness of the library to the community. 

I also talked with an employee at the Richmond International Airport, Gersain Agudelo Valencia, who described the use of the wireless system at the airport for an additional perspective.  Gersain indicated that wireless use is free and available anywhere there, with no password needed for access.  Also, when a passenger is in flight this service is available on some airlines as an incentive to use their airline.  The latest in technology invites the savvy business person to airlines providing such services. 

I also conducted a bit of research to find out more about some of the leaders in wireless service.  Verizon Wireless claims to operate “the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 68.7 million customers” as per information from www.marketwatch.com.  This website explains that Verizon Wireless is actually “a joint venture of Verizon Communications (VZ: 32.18, +0.13, +0.4%) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD)” and also this website advises that more can be learned about the availability of “broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills” by going to  www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

The culture of technology should fit the needs in our lives...

Free software is taking on many viewpoints as the open culture in technology emerges.  We have had a trend with many proprietary interests such as Microsoft to fight for copyrights and rights to restrict sales of upgrades on new versions, licensing entanglements and other such proprietary interests.  I must agree with people like Richard Stallman since I feel that technology is so expansive globally now, that the right to improve technology for the benefit of everyone in the world who uses this mode of communication is similar to a basic fundamental human right.  If we give someone a pencil and teach them to write, should the manufacturer of that pencil require royalties of that individual if he or she writes a masterpiece resulting in a Pulitzer Prize?  And what about the paper manufacturer, the copy machine/printing press manufacturer, or even the university staff where the individual attended school last to perfect his or her writing skills?  Perhaps sometimes we can take proprietary interests to the extreme.  Do the car manufacturers of today still owe tribute monetarily to the descendants of Leonardo da Vinci, since he sketched drawings of the first automobile?  I really think we have to draw the line after a certain point, and accept some things as the cumulative result of a progressive, global civilization.

In reviewing Wikepedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software_movement), I found out that Richard Stallman is considered by many to be the founder of the free software movement by launching the GNU Prjoect in 1983.  I think his intentions are for the general good of humanity as he wholeheartedly supports his views to liberalize computer use for the benefit of all.  Stallman is quoted in this Wikipedia site aforementioned as delivering  the following words:

“The only thing in the software field that is worse than an unauthorised copy of a proprietary program, is an authorized copy of the proprietary program because this does the same harm to its whole community of users, and in addition, usually the developer, the perpetrator of this evil, profits from it.”

 Again, I think his intentions are for the general good.  However, I also understand that hackers and highjackers can be a concern for uploading software if these types of individuals intrude on the Internet…running the risk of adding corruption to files and infecting computers with deadly viruses if careful software development is totally disregarded.  People who are willing to work for credible companies tirelessly to combat these types of ill-intended technology bandits should also be compensated for their honest labor.  Perhaps a mix of free software and proprietary software is best.

Another pioneer in the open software culture is Linus Torvalds.  He was born in Finland and upon studying computer science at the University of Helsinki and using a Minix system, he “lamented its inability to do terminal emulation, which he needed so he could connect to the university’s computers”(www.linux.org).  Out of this frustration grew a desire to develop a program that would accomplish this task.  This was the beginning of the creation of Linux.

The real intention of free software is “a matter of liberty, not price” according to the GNU website.  At www.gnu.org one can revisit some of the real purposes for this culture, such as the motive to help your neighbor with improving a software application for his particular needs, or for improving and adapting software for your own goals in computer uses at home.  If the whole community can benefit from an improved technology, as concerned citizens we should be active in liberalizing our own rights.  When we especially think of state, federal and foreign governments which tend to pass expenses directly to citizens by increasing bureaucratic costs, fees and taxes when these entities operate inefficiently, then it makes sense that software should be improved by a freer mode of collaborative technology. That brings us to the obvious crossroad where we should all “sharpen our pencils” and take notes on how to fit in to this developing culture.

Today I used my personal computer to learn more about collaborative technology, and in particular the most popular computer uses and voice recognition systems.  A list of 101 uses will inspire anyone of any age to take advantage of the many resources available on the internet.  That is exactly what I found in browsing the web at www.edzone.net/~mwestern/101computeruses.html.  My favorites are number 78, which is “viewing a shark-live!” and number 80 which is “watching astronauts on the space station-live!”  But there are also helpful hints for creating slideshows, recording songs and much more. 

I am also curious about voice recognition systems in particular since I think this technology will be increasingly effective in our lives.  For activating the microwave, telling our phone to call someone or check our messages remotely while we are cooking dinner, or activating banking functions such as electronic payments, this feature would offer even more expedient access for everyone.  Those who would benefit besides business entrepreneurs or business executives include the elderly, those with visual and auditory challenges, as well as other individuals with various disabilities.  This is applicable in my own life today as I think of someone personally for each of these categories with special challenges who could be helped more effectively with this type of technology which they currently do not possess.  Voice recognition is also extremely helpful for secure access, whether computer access or building and property access.  You can learn more about voice recognition systems at www.microsoft.com/responsepoint as one example.  This location also offers a demonstration, which I watched and simultaneously added a bit of humor to my day:  That was a nice touch, ironically, since I faced some stressful issues with computer technology at work earlier this week.

I also stopped at the gas pump today to add one final note here in my diary page about computers.  I used my visa, charging my gas purchase to save time so that I could return home quickly to my writing of this article.  The convenience of not waiting in line for the cashier or losing cash and even pumping gas after hours when gas station doors are locked is tremendous.  The computerized listing on my visa statement has helped me target better my actual expenditures for gas, and this has compelled me to car pool recently when I saw it all itemized on the statement.  From an even more technological approach, however, the Sheetz gas station and gas pumps must be managed by computer hardware and software systems such as those I found today on the web at HiTech Computer Services.  HiTech Financial Accounting for Petrol Pumps lists many managed formats for computerizing a gas station; some modules include “Petrol Pump”, “Employee Module”, “Inventory Control” and “Accounts Module”, among others.  More can be learned on the web about this company at www.hitech-on-web.com.  When I stop to think about how much the impact has affected me and those around me at the gas pump alone today, and mostly for the better, the effects on our lives are truly life-transforming in almost indescribable proportions.