Life & Technology

Unsurprisingly, Twitter has been targetted by cybercriminals to get information on bank accounts such as passwords, so they can rip you off.
It wasn’t a matter of ‘if’ this would occur, but ‘when’. This time the crims are using a botnet that uses the social networking tool as a command and control structure to distribute malware. This allows these guys to get info through a phishing site pretending to be certain Brazilian banks.

Picked up by software/interent security specialist Symantec, this will probably be the start of a whole new genre of malware/spyware that will invade the cyberspace social networks. Symantec says this new threat is called Infostealer.Bancos, so if you see anything on your Twitter stream resembling this piece of malware, ignore it and let Twitter know.

I’ve learned over the years that good security software and constant vigilance are the only ways to stop these guys getting to your bank accounts. I know they are a pain, and we all wish there was something that could stop them in their tracks. Unfortunately, other than the perpetrators being caught on occasion by law enforcement agencies, they are here to stay. Also, most of these guys come out of places like Russia and China where the intrinsic regimes are corrupt, or have more important things to worry about.

Every time there is a popular new product in the cyber world, the cyber crims are not far behind. Bear that in mind when you first start using the latest product or service from the net. And remember too, that the way in which you are ripped off will depend on whether the bank will reimburse you. Always be suspicious of offers that seem too good to be true, and always report a phishing site to the authorities – they will close it down

With the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) refusing classification for Piranha Bytes’ RPG Risen, it’s about time the Federal Government came to the party and introduced an R18 rating.

For too long gaming as been left floundering in the classification wilderness due in part to the government refusing to add another rating for adults.

South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson decided he was the Gaming Policeman for Australia after he shelved the idea of making a discussion paper of R18 ratings available for public discussion. Great to see democracy in action Mr Atkinson. This comes on the back of the Federal government admitting that the new internet filtering proposal, if it goes into effect, will be able to ban unclassified content.

Back in the 80s, when the classification system was being drawn up for video games there was no need for an R18 classification. Games were for kids, they had blocky graphics and basic sound, and there was no need to develop a rule set that seperated adult only content. Time moves fast and processing power moves even faster, and today violence in video games is as normal as a movie. Now that has changed, it seems the Powers-That-Be are having a hard time adapting.

There are several issues here that need addressing:

• Why can’t games be open to the same type of classification as books and film (after all, look at the title of the OFLC – the body that rates such media)

• Why is the government not allowing discussion papers on things that affect the gaming community to be open to scrutiny?

• Atkinson says he is concerned about the ‘potential harmful material’ in games for young children. He isn’t worried about such material in books and movies?

• Does the Attorney General realise he works FOR the people of Australia, and that transparency is part of any decent democracy. In other words, he has no right to ‘filter’ a discussion paper on a subject that is important to a lot of Australian gamers.

What the government needs to realise is that no gamers worth their salt would want a game with ribald language, violence and sex available to children. But that shouldn’t mean gamers should miss out on their chosen form of entertainment because Ministers are either too lazy, or have put the subject in the ‘too hard’ basket.

Come on Government, sort it out once and for all. Gamers are voters, too.

Today’s gadget was Microsoft’s Bluetrack wireless mouse. So, as well as being wireless, was does it do? Microsoft has livened up the unit’s capabilities by making it workable on most surfaces, except glass. This means it can now work on wood, marble, and even carpet – which is very handy if you work on the go. It retails at about $89, which is a bit pricey, but then again, you won’t find the technology in its contemporaries.
Phone calls included Amanda who queried whether LED or 200Hz aspects of some of the new televisions coming out was the way to go. I’d ignore 200Hz at the moment, and can honestly say the picture quality of the LED is outstanding. So I would go that route if I was here.

Rosemary asked for the latest in Palm diary technology. Although she didn’t want one with mobile technology attached, I suggest she at least give it a try. Never be afraid to try new things – you’ll be surprised how straight forward technology is sometimes.

Pete was having problems with his Foxtel tuner interfering with him getting free-to-air television. We’ve had a few people with this problem with the Foxtel unit, so I’m guessing it is a problem at their end, not the consumers. Will try and get hold of them and sort it out for you.

We had a couple of people asking about digital tuners. John wanted to know why set-top boxes have such a low profile, when they have such great technology in them. No idea, but I would suggest that some people do not understand the technology, which translates into not being popular with resellers. Another person queried about digital dead spots in Canberra. Unfortunately, you need to get a booster (which this gentleman had done), or perhaps get cable when it comes out. He is situated by a mountain, which blocks the signal.

If you have any other queries, drop me a line…