First it was Cingular buying AT&T Wireless to form the largest wireless carrier and now Sprint is purchasing Nextel (as long as all the regulators agree), to form the third largest wireless carrier. Verizon is in the middle.
I thought the Cingular/AT&T deal was probably a good idea. They have compatible systems and AT&T is really lost lately. Unfortunately, the merger will be a negative for us in Connecticut as part of the deal was a requirement that they divest some of the properties. Connecticut was one of those. In Connecticut AT&T Wireless was sold to AllTel .... Who? .....Great!?
Sprint/Nextel is a different story. They do not have compatible systems and really have totally different clients. Sprint is mostly consumer oriented and Nextel is business oriented for the most part with its push to talk function the biggest feature for its business customers. Sprint has been unable to get its push to talk functions to gather steam. Time will tell but Nextel customers better keep their eyes open, this is going to be a rough ride.
Verizon will not stay idol. Keep your eyes on them.
Friday, December 17, 2004
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Spam The Spammer?
Lycos Europe (an internet Service Provider) is offering its customers a free program that bombards known spam servers with a stream of garbage that is intended to slow the server down enough to make it difficult to send the quantity of messages that it needs to send out. The idea is that if enough people do this the spammers will give up I guess.
It won't work, and I suspect that some legal action could be generated by this. I don't think you'll see this program available for long. I do think you will see Lycos's own servers bombarded by spammers and hackers.
The best way to stop spam? Stop buying the stuff! Did I tell you the story of the spammer that made $24 MILLION in 4 years?
It won't work, and I suspect that some legal action could be generated by this. I don't think you'll see this program available for long. I do think you will see Lycos's own servers bombarded by spammers and hackers.
The best way to stop spam? Stop buying the stuff! Did I tell you the story of the spammer that made $24 MILLION in 4 years?
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Test Your Backups
When was the last time you tested your backup tapes? What do I mean by test? I mean actually read files back from the tape. There is no other way to be confident that you can restore files in case of a disaster.
This process will accomplish 2 things. First, it will insure your backup process is doing what it is supposed to be doing. And second, it will insure that you or your IT staff refresh your memories on how to restore files, which just may come in handy if disaster strikes. I suggest you run this process 2 to 4 times per year.
Before you test your backups make sure you know what you are doing. You don't want to overwrite your accounting data with information from 3 months ago.
This process will accomplish 2 things. First, it will insure your backup process is doing what it is supposed to be doing. And second, it will insure that you or your IT staff refresh your memories on how to restore files, which just may come in handy if disaster strikes. I suggest you run this process 2 to 4 times per year.
Before you test your backups make sure you know what you are doing. You don't want to overwrite your accounting data with information from 3 months ago.
Monday, November 08, 2004
A Spammer Gets Canned
Jeremy Jaynes has been convicted and now sentenced under Virginia's state law against spamming. He was sentenced to 9 years in jail! Think that's a lot? He made more than $24 Million sending millions of spam messages. Yes, that's $24,000,000. With those types of dollars it's easy to see why people get involved with spam. I hope this is the first of many long term sentences that may put a little fear in these guys.
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Don't Risk Your Life!
As everyone is aware, there is a serious shortage of flu vaccine in the US. Because we are working with so many health care organizations have seen first hand how this is affecting the public. People are very concerned for their health.
Unfortunately, this type of situation causes people to do whatever they can to find a way to protect themselves. Con artists are acutely aware of these situations and will do whatever they can to take advantage of the situation. We are now seeing offers for the flu vaccine on the Internet. Some are offering to provide information on where to get the vaccine, for a fee of course. And some are offering "the vaccine" at prices of up to $600.00 per dose.
The best case scenario here is credit card fraud. The con artist will get your credit card info and never send any product, but instead use the card info. The worst case scenario is that old or contaminated vaccine is delivered or worse yet, some other substance is delivered. Given the health situation of those most needing the vaccine, this could be very serious if not lethal.
Whatever your thoughts are on purchasing medications over the Internet, this is one case that should be avoided. These people are con artists. Your life or the life of a loved one could be at stake. Don't take that chance!
Unfortunately, this type of situation causes people to do whatever they can to find a way to protect themselves. Con artists are acutely aware of these situations and will do whatever they can to take advantage of the situation. We are now seeing offers for the flu vaccine on the Internet. Some are offering to provide information on where to get the vaccine, for a fee of course. And some are offering "the vaccine" at prices of up to $600.00 per dose.
The best case scenario here is credit card fraud. The con artist will get your credit card info and never send any product, but instead use the card info. The worst case scenario is that old or contaminated vaccine is delivered or worse yet, some other substance is delivered. Given the health situation of those most needing the vaccine, this could be very serious if not lethal.
Whatever your thoughts are on purchasing medications over the Internet, this is one case that should be avoided. These people are con artists. Your life or the life of a loved one could be at stake. Don't take that chance!
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