What are you really downloading when you download music, games and movies

Getting “free” music and media can seem pretty cool and almost exhilarating. You just figured out how to get something for nothing. But, what are you really downloading into your system? Is it really free…or are you paying for it some how, some way?

 

First, I am going to use the word Malware to represent viruses, Trojans, spyware and other malicious software. There is always a chance that you are picking up some sort of malware when you download media

 

Again, free is not always free. Any sharing site (like limewire, youtube, Kaaza) is just what it sounds like. You are opening up your computer for sharing…music, movies, etc. While you’re downloading the newest Beyonce song…someone is downloading something from you. Right there you are inviting others into your computer. All you need is one smart person to know a little about computers and they can capture all your information. Identity theft is a big problem these days and that free movie can cost you your name and financial information.

 

Secondly, you are allowing files to be downloaded onto your hard drive. Many if not most files have malicious code embedded in the background of that free song. Minimally you are allowing someone or something to track where you go (what websites you are visiting). Worse, you also can be downloading a virus that can wipe out your hard drive. How much do those pictures, documents mean to you? How much money will it cost you to get that machine repaired?

 

Teenagers love these free sites. They can put music on their MP3 players and movies on their ipods. They can share videos with each other and keep each other updated on social sites (facebook, myspace). It keeps them busy but can be jeopardizing the family computer in the ways I have explained.

 

The first mode of protection is to just keep an eye on what they are doing. If you see a ton of music, if you cursor is now a pretty bird or there are smiley faces (emoticons) in your emails…you can be sure the computer has been downloading items for some time.

 

Secondly, Anti-virus is a must. Not a free version Time Warner or AOL gives to you for using their services. Go out and buy a highly rated anti-virus. We sell Panda Internet Security and AVG internet security. I like them both because they update daily and catch things quickly.

 

Remember when thinking about anti-virus, there is no guarantee that ANY anti-virus can catch all malware at 100%. They update there database AFTER a malicious code was made. They other thing to keep in mind is to run the program. I think if you have tweens to teenagers in the house, scan your computer often.

 

The best prevention is just not to do it at all. It will protect the computer and all the information that it holds. It will save you aggravation and money in the long run and just not worth doing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Email Hoaxes….some examples

Here are some examples of email hoaxes…Can you tell me why these are hoaxes?

Example #1:

Your Bank Draft
Greetings: !

I have been waiting for you since to contact me for your Confirmable Bank Draft of $900.000.00 United States Dollars, but I did not hear from  you since that time. Then I went and deposited the Draft with FEDEX COURIER SERVICE,West Africa, I traveled out of the country for a 3 Months  Course and I will not come back till end of November.

What you have to do now is to contact the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE as soon as possible to know when they will deliver your package to you because  of the expiring date. For your information, I have paid for the delivering Charge,Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee of the Cheque showing that it is not a Drug Money or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country.

The only money you will send to the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE to deliver your Draft direct to your postal Address in your country is ($245.00 US)Dollars only being Security Keeping Fee of the Courier Company so far. Again,don’t be deceived by anybody to pay any other money except $245.00
USD.

I would have paid that but they said no because they don’t know when  you will contact them and in case of demurrage. You have to contact the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE now for the delivery of your Draft with this information below;

Contact Person: Mr.James Graham
Email Address: fedex_claims_dept@live.com
Telephone: +234-805-092-8096

Finally, make sure that you reconfirm your Postal address( ) and Direct telephone number to them again to avoid any mistake on the Delivery and ask them to give you the tracking number to enable you track your package over there and know when it will get to your address.

Let me repeat again, try to contact them as soon as you receive this mail to avoid any further delay and remember to pay them their Security Keeping fee of $245.00 US Dollars for their immediate action. You should also let me know through email as soon as you receive your Draft.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr. Amaranth.Wilson

Example #2:

Thank you for your interest in the Mystery Shopper position.

Our company conducts surveys and evaluates other companies in order to help them achieve their performance goals.

We offer an integrated suite of business solutions that enables corporations to achieve tangible results in the marketplace.

We get hired by other companies and act like customers to find out how they are handling their services in relation to their customers.

Mystery Shopping is the most accurate and reliable tool a business can use to gather information regarding their actual customer service performance at the moment of truth. This moment of truth is not when the staff is on their best behavior because the boss is around – it is when they interact with customers during their normal daily routines.

This is where you, the Mystery Shopper, come in. You pose as an ordinary customer and provide feedback of both factual observations (ex…the floor was free of debris) and your own opinions (ex…I felt that the temperature in the establishment was too cold).

Mystery Shoppers must remain anonymous. You must act as a regular customer and be careful not to do anything that would reveal you as a shopper. An inexperienced shopper could tip off the staff to his/her identity by asking for the manager’s name for no clear or appropriate reason. If you are going to be bringing someone with you on the shop, make sure you educate them about the process as well. Beware that even whispers can be overheard by employees. If anyone notices you are a shopper, you can bet that word will quickly spread around the establishment and you will get some of the best customer service in town.

No company can afford to have a gap between the promise of quality and its actual delivery, that’s why leading corporations look to us, the nation’s premiere mystery shopping and customer experience measurement company.

In order for a business to effectively compete in today’s economy, they must be prepared to meet the challenge of increasing sales by:

* Retaining existing customers

* Acquiring new customers

* Creating word-of-mouth advocacy

* Improving customer loyalty

Once we have a contract to do so, you would be directed to the company or outlet, and you would be given the funds you need to do the job(either purchase merchandise or require services), after which you would write a detailed report of your experience.

Examples of details you would forward to us are:

1) How long does it take to get served.

2) Politeness of the attendant.

3) Customer service professionalism.

4) Sometimes you might be required to upset the attendant, to see how they deal with difficult clients.

Then we turn the information over to the company executives and they will carry out their own duties in improving their services.

Most companies employ our assistance when people complain about their services, or when they feel there is a need for them to improve upon their customer service.

Our company partners with you to implement proven mystery shop auditing and surveying strategies that provide critical information about customer experiences.

You will be paid a commission of $100 for every duty you carry out, and bonus on your transportation allowance.

Your task will be to evaluate and comment on customer service in a wide variety of restaurants, retail stores, casinos, shopping malls, banks and hotels in your area.

Qualities of a good Mystery Shopper:

* Is 21 years of age or older

* Loves to go shopping

* Is fair and objective

* Is ON TIME

* Is very observant and able to focus on details

* Is fairly intelligent

* Has patience

* Is detail oriented

* Is practical

* Types well

* Is trustworthy

* Explains well in writing

* Is discreet

* Loves to learn

* Handles deadlines

* Has full internet access (at home or at work) Mystery Shopping is fun and exciting but also must be approached very seriously and is definitely not for everyone.

If you are interested in applying for consideration as a Mystery Shopper do send in your information: michael.peterson164@gmail.com Full Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Phone Number:

Age:

Occupation:

As soon as we receive your information we will add you to our database and we will look for locations in your area that needs to be evaluated.

Thank you,

Michael Neilsen

Quality Survey Solutions Inc.

6305 Green Circle Drive

Minnetonka, MN 55341

 

Example #3:

 

Antivirus 2009 for Windows
Protect your PC from Viruses

Download Antivirus 2009

Protect your computer from virus attacks, Trojans, and other forms of Malware.
Included: Registry Repair, Firewall Pro, Spyware Remover.

For more information visit our website

Thank you for choosing us, the worldwide leader in computer protection software.

Sincerely,

David Matthews
Antivirus Protection

If you want to stop receiving mail, please go to:
http://daily-online–enews.org/

 

or you may contact us at the following address:

 

Plaza Neptuno, local #7
Via ricardo J Alfaro, Tumba Muerto
Panama Ciudad
Republica de Panama

Example #4:

Download iTunes 2009
Join the millions of users who are enjoying iTunes today.

Download iTunes Now

iTunes is the absolute best software for all of your multimedia needs and the only program to use for your iPod.
With iTunes you will be able to shop for your favourite songs online, picking and choosing only the songs that you want.
iTunes combines all of the features and services you are looking for with an easy to use interface.

Review All of the Features

-iTunes Movie Rentals
-iPod video converter
-iPod movie codec pack
-Interactive video guides

Rip and copy your favourite audio CDs to your iTunes library.
Easily create audio CD’s from your iTunes library.
Convert your DVD collection and transfer the files to your iPod.

Download iTunes Today

24/7 Customer Support
Windows VISTA ready- 98Me2000XP Compatible

Thank you for your interest,

Greg Matthews
Customer Relations

If you want to stop receiving mail, please go to:
http://daily–new–product.org/

 

or you may contact us at the following address:

 

Plaza Neptuno, local #7
Via ricardo J Alfaro, Tumba Muerto
Panama Ciudad
Republica de Panama

Anything look familiar between #3 and #4?