This past Halloween my credit card number was stolen. Discover was really good about calling my home phone in NOVA but they wouldn't tell my mom any details because she's not me. Of course she was concerned and tried calling me right away. Earlier in the day I missed a call from my mom and I was away from my phone again when she called about the credit card. Her mind went into Mom-mode and freaked out. She thought I had been kidnapped and someone was forcing me to use my card. I was eventually able to get back to her and calm her nerves.
The guy charged $750 on my card at a Winn Dixie and Office Depot. Funny thing is, I have a pretty low credit limit because I'm a student and it's my first card. Therefore they overdrew my card and got caught right away. It was comforting that Discover jumped right into action but knowing that someone was still able to get my number and use it in person at two different stores is unsettling.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Crash...
During my senior year of college, some system files on my computer became corrupted without me knowing. At first my computer would give me errors once in a while when starting up, but eventually, it would not start Windows at all. To make things worse, all of my files and emails for my senior design project and my job were on my hard drive, which I could no longer access. I eventually worked around the problem by using a Linux operating system called Knoppix that boots entirly from a CD to start my computer. I immediately went and bought an external drive and have kept regular backups ever since.
Monday, January 26, 2009
External Hard drive
This last fall I purchased an external hard drive. It is fancy dancey and I honestly don't use it. The program that came with it was slowing down my computer to less than snail pace. I removed it and now never update the hard drive. I did, however, completely reformatte my computer in December and did put everything on the hard drive and then put it back on the computer. It is a great tool, if you are inclined to be disciplined enough to use it.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Computer Security post
A friend of mine got a phishing scam email that was sent through Virginia Tech, and I guess it looked legitimate to him, because he sent them his credit card information. Luckily, we told him to cancel his card immediately and to contact his card company.
Just a suggestion
When you do have a class full of impressionable youngsters make sure your college Facebook is completely hidden. Lessons from a friend. Also remind them that when they friend you on Facebook you *can* see what they posted on theirs, so their drunken pictures maybe should be removed.
This blog is amazing!
Hi everybody. I am SweetDisplayName. I have no information for pedophiles to steal!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Welcome!
This blog will serve as a communication port for you in this course. Although at times, the site will be password protected, I encourage you to use pseudonyms for privacy.
Welcome!
Welcome!