Website of the Week #14

This week I promised to discuss the notion behind Keyloggers. So let’s get right to it…

Q: What is a keylogger and what can it do?

A: A keylogger is quite simply malware, which most often masks itself via a trojan. Keyloggers capture keystrokes – yes everything that you type it can capture. Some keyloggers are also able to take print screens or "screenshots" of whatever you’re doing. Therefore they not only have a record of your keystrokes, but they also can see what site you are logging into.

Many antivirus companies have developed virtual keyboards to help thwart keylogging technology. However, a well written keylogger can still capture virtual keyboard mouse clicks as well as where exactly on your screen you clicked the mouse.

Keyloggers are used mostly to capture bank account information – for obvious reasons. They send information back to a remote server via a backdoor they’ve opened up in your system. The best methods to prevent this type of malware is to keep your OS regularly patched and update/run your AV software at least once a week.


News of the Week:

Kaspersky’s Black Eye

A group of Romanian hackers used a SQL injection vulnerability to gain access to a Kaspersky site operated within the United States. Kaspersky Labs is a very prominent antivirus company that has been a rising star in the security field over the past several years.

Kaspersky is claiming that the attack did not compromise any data. Reports are suggesting that if the hackers had been slightly more advanced they could have had access to around 2,500 email addresses and product activation codes.

In the end, this is simply a black-eye for Kaspersky Labs. It’s unfortunate that this took place. Kaspersky is a well respected organization and I tend to visit their site quite often for general information. I’m just glad my information isn’t in their database.


New administration = new computers? I would hope so!

Reports are coming through saying that from the time that Obama’s staff entered the White House they suffered from tech downgrades. On the campaign trail, Obama’s team was a “Mac shop”. However, once they entered the Whitehouse they found 6 year old Windows PCs laying around everywhere. One Obama spokesperson characterized the situation as “going from an Xbox to an Atari.”

MSNBC also reported that the White House did approve the use of Gmail accounts and personal cell phones for WH staffers. As far as Wi-Fi goes…word is there’s a strong possibility that pre-approved encrypted wireless will be allowed. In the meantime, Obama continues to use his NSA encryption approved Blackberry. If this doesn’t give every hacker on the planet incentive nothing does. Obama’s tech security risks


Man accused of trying to kill girlfriend with WiiMote.

"But honey…it was only a cookie."

Wii as a deadly weapon



Kindle 2.0

Amazon’s Kindle 2.0 has been released and they are taking orders. Also, here is a PCMag.com article on it if you’re interested.

iWoz

The ‘Woz’ to be on dancing with the stars. Yes, I’m referring to Steve Wozniak --- the Man who basically created the first Apple computer. Woz is also known as… “The other Steve Jobs”, “Apples other co-founder”, and “iWoz”, which he’s titled a book after. Let’s just hope he can dance half as well as he can program. Here’s a link if you’re curious to know more.



Skype 4.0 comes out of beta

I’m still on v3.8 only because the “check for updates” option within the app won’t auto-upgrade the code. Disappointing…because now I’ll have to go directly to the site and download the updates. I know, it’s a minor inconvenience, but I tend take a minimalist approach when it comes to upgrading. Here is a cnet review if you’re interested in learning more.


Gadget of the Week:

Star Trek Communicator using VoIP

If I could only convince my wife that this is worth the price...

Tip of the Week:

Hakin9 IT Security Magazine - This site actually offers free pdf downloads (email registration required)...and I must say the level of detail they outline is quite cool. Some of the downloads contain network topologies that provide robust visual representations of the subject matter. Coincidentally, I was in Barnes and Noble last weekend and saw this magazine on the rack. If memory serves, it was priced around $14.99. My take on all this...just go online and find some articles that interest you for free...why pay 15 bucks?

Idea of the Week:

How would you like to live on the water? I mean literally “live on the water.” A former Google software engineer seems to think he’s come up with a solution.

Cool Web tool of the week

Calculate a websites value: http://www.stimator.com/
And yes...Packets and Ports is valued at $47.00. I wonder if they would consider rounding up and making it an even $50?


Video of the Week:

Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman

If you haven’t seen this yet it’s pretty weird. Watch the 3rd clip titled “The full magilla!”

And Finally the...


Website of the Week:

Maybe you could try this on Valentines Day (Oh, by the way…I hope your not afraid of heights)
Dinner in the Sky

Next Weeks Topic: Gadgets Galore!