Is the Stuxnet Virus Good News?
There is a new computer virus on the block called Stuxnet. It supposedly targets industrial systems, with the aim of taking control or shutting them down. But it appears to be aimed at Iran and possibly its controversial nuclear power station at Bushehr. According to this article in the Guardian, it would appear that it has been created after a lot of work. Judging by the possible target, fingers are being pointed at Israel.
So why do I think this could be good news?
Most viruses target computers without any security, with the aim of controlling them to send more spam or to get logins and passwords for such things as bank accounts.
Stuxnet appears to be aiming to control industrial computers or factories, where the cost of being infected will be much greater. So Stuxnet will actually mean the virus protection companies will step up their efforts to prevent cyber attacks, which will be good for us all.
Also, something as high-profile as Stuxnet with all the associated publicity, should mean that more and more people will get the protection against viruses they should.
My one worry is that the sophisticated techniques that Stuxnet uses may make viruses that attack computers like e-mail servers more difficult to fight.
Spammers Can’t Spell
We all know that, but I’ve just had a phishing scam purporting to be from HSBC from an e-mail of hsbc@suport.co.uk.
I was curious about suport.co.uk and whether anybody would actually want such a mispelled domain. They don’t! So if you want it, you can have it!
It just shows how when a domain name appears odd for the company who supposedly sent the e-mail, the message is usually spam!
Thoughts on Ticket Booking Web Sites
I’ve just been booking tickets for my trip north at the weekend. It looks like the itinerary will be :-
Saturday 25th September
Ely (8:58) to Peterborough (9:38)/
Peterborough (9:46) to Doncaster (10:38)
Doncaster (11:07)to Scunthorpe (11:45)
Scunthorpe (17:10) to Doncaster (17:40)
Doncaster (18:34) to Newcastle (20:01) – Ticket pick-up at Doncaster
Newcastle (20:50) to Edinburgh (23:30) – It’s actually a bus!
Monday 27th September
Edinburgh (16:33) to Inverness (20:08) – Meet at Waverley Travel Centre at 16:00
Tuesday 28th September
Inverness (09:00) to Kyle of Lochalsh (11:28) Ticket pick-up at Edinburgh Waverley
Mallaig (16:05) to Fort William (17:07)
Fort William (19:50) to London Euston (07:47) Ticket pick-up at Edinburgh Waverley
I haven’t had too much trouble booking these tickets on-line. But one thing that gets to me is the nit-picking detail on many of these sites.
As an example, they always ask you to tick the Terms and Conditions box. Does anybody not tick this box? It should be up the other way and you should only tick it if you don’t accept them!
ScotRail‘s web site seemed to get you to put in everything twice. But then it’s a long way up to Scotland and the Internet probably forgets what I’ve typed in last time.
I also had the usual nause about registering with ScotRail for the sleeper. Why can’t the same registration apply for all of the TOCs? I use the same details in them all anyway!
Trying the iPad
I went into PC-World at Tottenham Hale to try an iPad. The reason is that I need a simple to use computer to take with me on my travels. Currently, I use a Samsung Netbook, but the keyboard isn’t the best for my hands.
So what do I need to do on the move.
- Browse the Internet.
- Send and receive e-mails.
- Update this blog.
- Buy travel tickets.
- I might want to write a few applications.
- I would also want it o be able to run my software Daisy, as I feel the two concepts are made for each other.
The iPad seems to fit a lot of these criteria and I was also able to use the touch screen keyboard easily. The last bit surprised me.
But the trouble with the iPad is that it’s an Apple product and is more about style rather than substance. I also feel strongly that the device needs to be Windows-based so that I can run Daisy. That may seem a bit of a small need, but just wait until I find a suitable Windows-based one and install Daisy!
Thanks though to Kevin in PC-World, who showed me professionally what the device can do!
My Foxtrot Oscar Signature
I use this e-mail signature to annoy spammers and those that won’t take no for an answer.
I have better things to do with my life, than deal with spam.
If I get another from you, you’ll be reported automatically to the ICO.
To put it politely, Foxtrot Oscar
They generally don’t come back to me! But then threatening someone with the ICO, I like slapping them on the wrist with a very small feather.
Best of Salineville Award
I’ve received this e-mail in the past and can’t quite fathom out, how they screw me for money. But they will somewhere along the line.
Earlier this year, I sent a notification email to you recognizing that Xxxxx Xxxxxx has been selected for the 2010 Best of Salineville Award in the Animal Farms category by the US Commerce Association (USCA).http://salineville.uscommassoc.com/XXX-XXXX-XXX
I’m sure that your selection as a 2010 Award Winner is a reflection of the hard work of not only yourself, but of many people that have supported your business and contributed to the subsequent success of your organization. Congratulations on your selection to such an elite group of small businesses. In recognition of your achievement, a special 2010 Best of Salineville Award has been designed for display at your place of business. You may arrange to have your award sent directly to James Miller by following the simple steps on the 2010 Best of Salineville Award order form. Simply copy and paste this link into your browser to access the order form:
The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.posted on the USCA website. USCA hereby grants Xxxxx Xxxxxx a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, distribute, and display this press release in any media formats and through any media channels.
Also, a copy of the press release publicizing the selection of Xxxxx Xxxxxx is
In order to provide you with the best possible service, you have been assigned an award code that can be used on our website for quick access to your award information and press release. If you have any questions or comments, please include this code with your correspondence.
Your Award Code is: XXX-XXXX-XXX
To place your order over the phone – please call us at: 877-312-9340 and select option 1.
If anybody has any idea how these crooks work, please add a comment to this post.
I did reply in my usual Foxtrot Oscar mode!
Sincerely,
A Nifty Information System
When I left, I forgot to take my printout of the return journeys from Great Yarmouth to Newmarket.
The conductor said that was no problem and promptly printed me an itinerary on his ticket machine.
Itinerary Printed on a Train
Some people would say that was seriously cool! I Just think it’s good software design, that gives customers what they need!
A Post From an Anti-Spam List
I belong to an anti-spam list called Spammers Don’t Like Us.
This was posted today.
Several years back, my now ex and I tried SPAM(R) sandwiches for dinner one night. It didn’t agree with me for some reason. Woke up mumbling a whole bunch of stuff about pills, weight loss, credit cards, discounts, coupon codes, marketing opportunities, etc. Then I just spewed vomit everywhere.
My then wife said “Five five what?? Message? What Message?” I said back to her “Honey, I bounced the spam.” The whole thing was very freudian.
Also was my one and only experience as a backscatterer.
As a coeliac, I should ask if Spam is gluten-free.
The CEO’s E-Mail Address
It has been reported that the CEO of Nationwide has been forced to shut his e-mail address, because of protests, that they are charging for overseas cash withdrawals. Apparently, it has now been changed to something like ceo@nationwide.co.uk and you now get through to one of his assistants.
Apparently, there is a web site call ceoemail.com, which gives many of the e-mail addresses or those that run companies and organisations.
So if I was running a large company, how would I organise it?
The e-mail address would be obvious like ceo@megacorp.co.uk and this would then go through a strong spam filter to remove the real rubbish trying to sell me worthless fakes and then pass the rest to my assistant or one of a group of assistants, if the company was large enough or I was getting a lot of e-mail. The assistants would have software, which by just clicking a button would take action on the e-mails. Actions might include.
- Forward to Customer Services or other Departments. These would also go into an e-mail tracking system, so that it can be traced that e-mails have been acted on.
- Put on a block list as it’s abusive. The sender would be told and why!
- Reply with a simple and appropriate e-mail.
- Phone the sender and say something appropriate.
- Send them a nice postcard. I’ve always found that this is a good thing to do, as people won’t throw away a nice picture. But they may pin it to their notice board.
Obviously, you can think of a lot more responses you might use.
The important e-mails would be sent to me for personal action.
Now some companies manage to do this with letters and I can remember receiving a phone call from Sainsbury’s after I’d written in with a complaint to the CEO.
But one thing no company does is to analyse all of the messages and count the occurences of various issues. So to return to the Nationwide example, if the CEO was getting a lot of complaints about withdrawal fees, the CEO would know about it and could take action.
So in fact, if you get the system right, it’s a very powerful way to find out what your customers are thinking about and satisfy their needs!
The Anonymous Widower 