Aaron's Furniture in the news.....tsk, tsk, tsk

Apparently our very own local Aaron's Rent-to-own store has made national headlines when a dim-witted employee revealed to a customer that they installed spying software on their rented computer.  Heck, he even showed them pictures of the customers using it.   Before I speak of that underhanded deed, I must make a more important point.  Never, ever, ever, use a rent-to-own establishment.  You will be paying 5-6 times the value of anything you "rent" in those stores.  This doesn't even go to the fact that the rented merchandise can be confiscated for a missed or late payment, no matter how much you have already paid.  In the case of the computers they rent, you will be getting a low-end computer with a value of approximately $300-$400 and paying upwards to $2000 for it. I've been searching for an hour trying to find a price list for that company with no luck, but based on my knowledge of similar stores, I have a good idea.  I just want to see how much it's gone up since the last time I knew.  

On to the other point, remember if you buy any computer from a less than reputable source (or even a reputable source), there is a possibility that an unscrupulous employee may install spying software on it.  It is easy to do, but not that hard to avoid.   I think this is a good idea for another page on the site, teaching you how to find similar software on your system.   In the case of laptops, many people buy gaffer tape and simply cover the webcam with it. 

Bit Torrent Users Rejoice...for now

For those familiar with bit torrents and those who use them(or otherwise called pirates by the movie and music industry), you won big in court this week.   District Court Judge Harold Baker has denied a copyright holder the right to subpoena the ISPs of alleged copyright infringers, because an IP-address does not equal a person.  What does this mean?  Well, a bit of background, typically when the music/movie industry wants to pursue somebody who they think is stealing their property online, they typically trace that person through their IP address (every computer on the internet has a unique IP address at a particular time).  When you use bit torrents ( the preferred program of pirates), you have an IP address, they trace it and go after you.  The inherent problem is that just because that IP address traces back to your home, it may not necessarily trace to you as the culprit of the theft of the intellectual property that the music/movie industry claims you stole.  It could be your neighbor using your Wifi without your permission (see previous story on this).  It could be a friend staying for a couple of days using your Internet, etc.  With the many stories making news of people being wrongfully accused of Internet related crimes based on IP addresses, this judge has seen the light and is requiring rights holders to come up with more proof other than an IP address that somebody has done something illegal.  Just because a movie was stolen using your Internet connection, it does not automatically conclude that you are the one who did it.  Bravo!

Malware, Bin Laden style

Please be on guard for sites claiming to have Bin Laden kill photos or video.  They are not out there.  In fact, most of these sites are there to install Malware on your computer.  Remember, malware authors do not take vacations.  They use every opportunity to get you to install their malware.  This week, the death of Bin Laden is the bait.  Millions are curious to see pictures and malware authors are taking advantage of this by putting out malware in the wild that is attached to Bin Laden web searches.

Want out of your relationship? I'll do it for you for only......

When I came across this website, I have to admit I was amused.  For $10, iDUMP4U will break off your relationship with your girlfriend, lover, partner or wife (initiating a divorce is $50).  They do all the hard work for you, in case you are too cowardly to do it yourself.  They confirm the relationship, gather the contact information and break you up.  They will also record the happy occasion for you and post it on their website (for those who need proof).  This site makes me think that the world has lost it's collective minds, but too many other encouraging events have happened this week to keep me from going there.

Twitter had it first,....again

Appears that around 1AM Pakistani time, Sohaib Athar, an IT consultant, was awake doing not much of anything.  He heard something unusual for his remote town. "Helicopter hovering above Abbottabad at 1AM (is a rare event)," wrote Athar. Moments later, he added: "A huge window shaking bang here... I hope its not the start of something nasty."  Little did he know what was happening.  So we have documented proof of the first reports of the downfall of Osama Bin Laden, by an IT consultant on his twitter.  He had it first, although he didnt know it at the time.  Isn't Technology great?

So easy to out people today..

This is not directly tech related, but since it involves a website, an exception will be made.  Seems that if you are a bad tipper, beware, it may become public.  Larry Fox, 20, a deliveryman and developer from Brooklyn, has decided to make public all of you who tip badly.  His blog, 15%, is a bit popular documenting all of the lazy tippers in New York.  Not to be outdone, there are sites to tell on your bad dates, rotten neighbors and bad bosses.  I'm not listing those, as one is now showing up as a malware farm.