Month: December 2005

Upcoming Sober Virus Attack and a Chatty IM Virus

According to IT Observer, the widespread Sober email virus that infected millions of computers in 2005 has a variant scheduled to make another large-scale attack on January 5th 2006. This date also happens to be the 87th anniversary of the founding of the Nazi party, making this malicious software as much a political statement as an internet threat.

In other news, C|Net News.com is reporting on an instant messenger threat that’s labeled IM.Myspace04.AIM by the IM security vendor, IMLogic, that discovered the new threat.

This particular piece of malicious software is actually programmed to strike up random conversations with AOL Instant Messenger users using a pre-programmed script. The worm attempts to convince the potential victim into clicking on a web link to a supposed picture file, which is really a copy of itself in disguise.

As usual, computer owners are reminded to make sure that they are running both antivirus and antispyware programs on their computers and that they take the time to ensure that those protections, as well as Windows itself, have all the latest security updates from their developers.

Double Agent Three-Oh-Twelve

I am now officially a Double Agent within the Geek Squad and my assigned badge number is 3012.

Double Agents are the individuals assigned to Geek Squad Precincts located in every Best Buy who are charged with policing technology and protecting citizens against malicious software both in the store as well as in their home. If you’ve seen any of the Geek Squad commercials, the Double Agents are the ones driving the Geekmobiles, black and white Volkswagen Beetles, to do in-home visits for clients with computer issues.

I’ve already been through the first two days of ride-along training with a highly experienced Double Agent, an experience that’s actually left me convinced that this position is a good match for my talents. I like the challenge of going to new houses or businesses every day to face some new problem that will keep my computer kung-fu skills sharp. And seeing the relief on a client’s face when you’ve come to them personally and fixed their problem is very rewarding.

Really the biggest downside of taking on the new position after having worked within the in-store Precinct is that I won’t have as much time around those Agents anymore. They’re a good bunch of guys and girls who always kept you on your toes. I intend to make regular visits back to the Precinct when I can, so they’re not completely rid of me yet.

10% of All US XBox 360s Sold on EBay

NASDAQ.com has a press release online from eBay’s President and Chief Executive Meg Whitman, in which Whitman claims that 40,000 XBox 360 videogame consoles have been sold through the popular online auction site.

According to Microsoft, a total of 400,000 units have been brought into the US for sale, which means that one out of every ten systems purchased on launch day were later put up for sale by people looking to double, if not triple, their purchase price.