Pic-E-Bank
Current News: We pick through it, so you don't have to.
Internet Security Threats
May 27th
I just wanted to throw out a couple looming security risks (one which may not be a big deal and one which will definitely be). All surfers should be aware of as many phishing/scamming techniques out there in order to protect themselves. I sincerely hope that none of you are complacent or lax with your surfing as odds are at some point you will be burned. It saddens me to hear people taken in by these and other phishing/scamming techniques when all of it could have been prevented with a little knowledge and the realization that thousands of people out there want nothing less than to hurt you. Idle hands may be the devil’s playground but idle minds are the scammers heaven.
Tabnapping – Devious New Phishing Tactic Targets Tabs
Non-Latin based Domain Names coming to an Internet Near You
Here’s a VERY short phishing test for you. This is very old-school and not at all indicative of the sophisticated work being done by today’s scammers, but it may do you good to take it anyway. It will give you a short description as to why you missed ones (if you do).
I ask that you learn as much as you can about known phishing/scamming techniques and continue to do so, because only the awareness of a large portion of society will ever make a dent in their bottom-line. An aware surfer is a safer surfer.
LG Cyon LH 2300
Apr 18th
Author: autiger_seoul
About six months ago I joined the touch phone revolution by purchasing the LG Cyon LH2300 from my local LG OZ store here in Korea. Ever since the iPhone launched I had wanted one, but I’m a Verizon guy and AT&T’s service wasn’t very good at my house, so I was stuck with a regular slide phone. When I moved back to Seoul in 2008 I decided to do some internet searching about Korean handsets and buy a nice phone. I soon realized that the cell phone here is much more than a phone. Locals here use their handsets for everything from paying bills to watching free live TV (T-DMB) to scanning to ride public transportation and even to buy a whopper at BK.
After searching around, I decided to purchase an LG LH2300 partly because of the price. Korean phones are immensely expensive, to the tune of 800 dollars or more. When I purchased my phone, it had been out for about 4 months and therefore had come done in price, to a more reasonable price of 200 dollars.
The first thing I noticed when I powered on the phone was an OZ enabled screen, this means that the phone has full internet capabilities (as long as you pay for it) as there is no WIFI, which is something I wish it had. One helpful feature that it does have is a wireless phonebook and data port. You just place your old phone next to it and use the transfer data feature on each phone and all of your old contacts are synced, even if your old phone is not LG. I also noticed that the phone has Bluetooth and easily syncs with my Macbook Pro (after I set my own password). At first glance, I was pretty happy with my purchase.
Xbox 360 Video Card Fried
Mar 6th
Well, I suppose I jinxed myself with my regular bragging of how I’ve never had problems with my 360. To be honest, it has been great; very reliable up to this point. However, tonight, I turned it on…everything worked fine…I connected to my media server….started playing a video and about 20 seconds into the video most of the image turned green. I mean, it was still working because I could see things moving and when I stopped the video I could still move around the dashboard it’s just that everything was green now. So, I decided to reboot the box…….BAD decision….As of now, I have an Xbox360 that seems to be working fine (NO rrod and I can hear sound and it connects to live and all) just NO video. Yes, it seems that my video card is fried. And yes, my warranty expired 3 months ago. I’ve only found one report of someone having this same problem and they said that when Microsoft fixed it and sent it back, their DVD drive failed less than a month later. Since, I’ve already noticed my DVD drive making noise I’m confident something similar would happen to me. So, I’m throwing in the towel and getting a new one (I’ll mess around with fixing this one when I have time in the future).
To be fair, I have worked it a little hard this past week or so. I’ve watched about 6 full seasons of one of my TV shows (streamed from my media server) so it hasn’t really had much time to rest.
So, it looks like I will be buying the Xbox360 Super Elite tomorrow with the 250GB hdd and the new Splinter Cell Convictions.
A new set of tires mounted and balanced and a new Xbox in the same day. How depressing…
Note: I will probably be popping open my Halo Edition Xbox360 that just died at some point to see what I can do about it (or at least mess around with it).
Logitech Rebate Scam
Feb 25th
Note: The following article is intended as a warning for consumers who naively believe they will actually receive a rebate from Logitech. It has been submitted to Logitech and will soon be delivered to the Better Business Bureau, Ripoff Report, Rebate Reportcard, Newegg.com, Amazon.com and others.
Who would have ever thought, in these harsh economic times if you need profits just make them yourself. Well, it appears as though Logitech has been taking lessons from those Nigerian Scammers. Do those scammers teach courses now? I bet Logitech was an A+ student.
Logitech’s/Parago, Inc’s obviously fraudulent business practices might have been more believable had they placed the blame on the Postal Service. However, they decide to CLAIM that consumers are submitting the wrong UPCs. Truth or a new method of making lots of money? How many of you out there have purchased items JUST because they currently had a rebate you couldn’t pass up. Well, that’s what happened to me this past Christmas when I needed a few things for my parents. Amazon was advertising a 20% off Logitech rebate so I decided to go with a few products that would fulfill that rebate. A month or so later things got frustrating…
The following is my recent submission to Logitech Customer Service emailed Feb. 9th, 2010 (Full PDF: Response to Logitech):
======================================================================
Dear Logitech,
I would appreciate you looking into the matter discussed below.
Droid Screenshots
Feb 19th
I just felt like throwing in some screenshots since I still haven’t had time to do a full review. There will still be a review done at some point (although it is probably pointless now). It’s just been hard to find the time lately. Anyway, root your Android!