Welcome! If you're looking for "a computer pro" from the radio... that's me :)  

First, I must apologize for a slight delay with the podcast. It's in post production or pre production. I always get those two confused. Which means I haven't done it yet.

Here are simple steps to make this website work best for you.

1. A good way to keep informed of what's going on with technology that can effect you, is to monitor my Twitter feed @acomputerpro. My most recent Tweet(s):

1/26/11: How come @Symantec's Twitter stream has NO warning to patch for the #Anonymous 2006 source code theft? http://goo.gl/BdVMe

1/22/11: Would you pay 99 cents for a new Apple iOS #Siri competitor called #Evi that already has 574 one star reviews? #fail Don't!

1/18/12: Attention: will the last one to leave Wikipedia please turn out the lights?      

How to survive the Wikipedia Blackout Protest: https://mashable.com/2012/01/17/wikipedia-alternatives/

1/15/12: Received   /  early this morning. Trying to track down the source. Looks like it's Mark Fedkin. 

1/11/12: Dear Peter Norton: STOP scaring us! Symantec accused of using 'scareware' tactics. http://su.pr/4fuwPn #dbags #security

1/2/12: Today's   deal: Norton 360 5.0 3-user for ! Umm... I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

12/26/11: Got a sneak preview of the new 2012   commercial in which CEO Bob Parsons burns the U.S. constitution. 

12/25/11: what what WHAT? Personally, I applaud  for their support of  & . O_o   !

12/19/11: Sure... I know that the IRS.GOV web server isn't really in Poland... but what about the BBB? http://su.pr/1i3W3Y #spam #uce Don't click on that.

12/16/11: Re: Your Flight Order: it's NOT and airline ticket. DON'T click the link and don't download it.    

12/15/11: #Fake #Rogue #Antivirus programs now carry Zero.Access #Rootkit. It's becoming very difficult to remove this stuff. #Alertm (If you do remove it... it still totally breaks TCP/IP)

12/14/11: Due to the introduction of our new security system, which is aimed at reducing the number of cases of wire fraud, all your account transactions have been blocked until your security version meets the new requirements.. In order to fully rehabilitate your account, it is necessary that you install a special security software. Please open the link below to read the instructions and download all the necessary files.

 Okay... sounds good to me. Hey... wait a second... The above email comes from saudi.net.sa in Saudi Arabia... not the FDIC. Don't be a dope. The Internet is full of malicious software just waiting for you to let it in to your computer.

12/10/11: Fake Anti-Virus, is one of the most frequently-encountered and persistent threats on the web today. This malware uses social engineering to lure users to malicious sites and scares them into paying for fake threat removal tools. Don't fall for it!

12/6/11: 10 cent  in the  Market. w00t!    (it's over now)

11/30/11: #Google teaches us how to create a proper password. http://su.pr/1QkVj4 This is important info. Listen to The Google.

11/22/11: Too good to be true: email () from (forged / fake) iTunes Store: "Your iTunes Gift Certificate." It contains a . Delete! Delete! Delete! 

11/21/11: Why the big increase in ACH Wire Transfer #spam? This blog post explains it. http://su.pr/2qo0vX The Internet sucks. Deal with it!

11/20/11: There are so many potential breaches of security via email attachements and infected websites, that I can't stress this enough: don't click don't open don't click!!!

11/18/11: Sorry... I was really busy for the last 10 days with a big, big job. What did I miss?

11/8/11: It's that time of the month again.  . Don't forget to check and update. 

11/4/11: Here's a tip. Google ... do a barrel roll.

11/2/11: Email with Adobe license key attached contains a TROJAN: I got one via an infected @Comcast user's PC. Read the details here.

10/30/11: Trick or treat? Click *here* and you won't get a virus from the link.

10/28/11: Are you still setting your clocks? Daylight savings time ends "next" weekend.

10/26/11: Don't forget to set your clocks. Spring backwards and forwards, just because.

10/24/11: Make sure you have the latest updates for Java and Adobe products.

10/22/11: Hmm... this ROM I just flashed on my phone seems a bit buggy. 

10/20/11:  spammer hits  with a vengeance. 

10/17/11: Wal*mart cheats and lies. , this deal was a scam.  should open an investigation on  re: Get a 16GB flash drive for $10.84

10/15/11: Dear : thanks for the memories. The old  app no longer works! #%^! 

10/13/11: Did you get your Windows Updates? This was the week for them. If not, check manually. Look on your "Start" menu or Windows Button.

10/11/11: iTunes 10.5 now available... one day ahead of schedule. iOS 5 and iCloud arrive 10/12.

10/9/11: Pure SPAM and phishing trickery. Don't fall for -> You have 1 new message on Twitter!

10/7/11: Remembering Steve Jobs 1955-2011 in a simple Apple image. http://i.imgur.com/SCoJ0.png

10/5/11: All That Glitters? US Commerce Association Awards to businesses may not be what they seem.  

10/3/11:  File Delivery Notification eMail : that ZIP file's prolly NOT something you want, unless you want a 

10/1/11: : Over a WEEK ago west Ventura Co. CA lost  and you haven't revealed the  yet. . What's new? This also looks like a corporate cover-up. 

 9/30/11:  come on now. WHAT was the cause of the 900+ cell tower outage last weekend? This looks like a corporate cover-up. #attfail

9/28/11: Someone has launched a new  attack via  and . Upstream provider .  reports sent. 

9/26/11: Nothing good can become of a .zip file attached to an . Inside probably awaits a  that will infect your PC. There are more and more of these in my inbox every day.

9/25/11: .  containing infected attached .zip delivery info: sent through servers in India, Iran and the Philippines  DO not open the attached ZIP file!

9/24/11: RT : LA area customers may have issues with wireless service. We has no idea why. We wish we was smarter. We're AT&T. (The truth? ATT lost connectivity on over 1,000 cell sites. Why?)

9/23/11: Everyone loves a good package. But don't be fooled by FAKE  email, because that attached package pickup receipt is a ! 

9/21/11: Gov. Brown: sign the Reader Privacy Act! Apple & Dropbox Join Fight to Reform Electronic Privacy Law. 

9/19/11: Social engineering: Threat of a lawsuit because YOU sent  (which you didn't) makes you want to open attached ?

From: CorpTech [mailto:manager@corptech.com] 
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2011 7:53 AM
To: You
Subject: A message from our security service

Hello.

Your email is sending spam messages!

If you don't stop sending spam, we will be impelled to sue you!

We've attached a scanned copy of the document assembled by our security service to this letter.

Please carefully read through the document and stop sending spam messages.

This is the final warning!
Corporate Technology Information Services.

** Attached_Document_INC#59500.rar

Also... be aware of those stupid fake messages from your alledged document scanner that are also infected.

9/17/11: Is it just me... or did  just become 100% more confusing? I've moved on to .

9/15/11: Bogus "Changelog" E-Mails Deliver Malicious Application via infected .zip file like "Change_09152011_E25479.zip" 

9/13/11: Window updates... anyone? How about a Mac os X update to fix the bogus SSL issue? It's THAT time of the month. O_o

9/11/11: in memory and tribute -> http://instagr.am/p/Mz6vV/

9/9/11: Don't worry. Microsoft has everything under control as usual and releases updates... unintentionally. 

9/7/11:  from Pakistan? Don't want it! Beware of all email from the .pk domain ... and that is my  of the Day.

9/5/11: eMail #malware alert: End of July Statement Required ... do not unzip the attached file, unless you want a computer .

9/2/11: Beware of  fake email NOT from  with an attached .zip file. There is a large scale attack underway now. 

8/31/11: Looks like   replaced a bad router or fixed a bad route. Service is restored in CA.  = Clueless

8/29/11: Apparently, Network Solutions is serious about beating competitors by offering $6.99 .com registration.  

8/27/11: What's it like to be President of ?Right now, it pretty much SUCKS! HP TouchPad 

8/25/11: Lots of  and  coming in via Steadfast Networks . Abuse reports sent. Hey SteadFast... !

8/23/11: Dear : your customer service SUCKS! An agent just hung up on me because I was explaining to her how email works.

8/21/11: : Hello people, this fb webpage (deleted) is messing up at this time and sending out an iPhone 5   (be aware of this bogus email)

8/19/11: Big source of Internet  and  ->  

8/18/11: Dear : I am NOT interested in an Online Doctorate or Sanibel Island vacation. You can stop the  now. 

8/16/11: Computerworld's  has the story on , technology censorship and .  Really, ?

8/14/11: Adobe releases Flash 10.3.x.x.x update for Mac OS X Lion. You have NO idea how your Mac is a sitting duck for  ;)

8/12/11: zOMG... the Windows updates are HUGE! On a side note: Hmm... I can't seem to get my profile  uploaded. http://heello.com/acomputerpro Who wants to be my friend? 

8/11/11: (almost a palindrome) Windows updates... Windows updates... stop the madness!     Get it now! Run Windows Update on your PC.

8/10/11: Today, I'm learning more about Kevin's Money Tree (kevinsmoneytree.org) and other evil  redirection.  More on this, as I get the info. (And no... I didn't call you a moron.)

8/8/11:   email being sent via . (westhost.com) Beware! Subj: You have 1 lost direct message(s) 

8/4/11: .: stand up for dissident writer Du Daobin. Stop helping China commit human rights abuse. 

The EFF wants you to Tell Cisco: Stop helping China abuse human rights! -     

8/1/11: It's been kind of quiet on the computer news front lately. That's why there have been so many days without an update. Plus... I've been hanging out over at Google+ more than I do on Twitter.

7/22/11: : if you see a link directing you to naughty-notty-pics.com and run the linked app on your PC, UH-OH for you! The app is a virus. Don't fall for the #scam!

7/20/11: Installing    - What YOU need to know!  <- From MacWorld

7/18/11: The :  promised likers of their    page free  premium signup codes, then reneged on the deal.

7/16/11: Last week, Windows users should have received a bunch of updates. It was the standard Microsoft 2nd week of the month update release schedule. Mac users, check for updates too. iOS update 4.3.4 prevents a jailbreak, if you want to do that sort of thing.

7/14/11: Surprised that I got NO trade email announcements about the  USA debut. 

7/12/11: Search Google+ for acomputerpro and join me in a circle, won't you? Need an invite? Yo, yo, yo.  

7/10/11: If you're looking for me on Google+ just go to my Google Profile. Hit me up from that... yo.  <-click :)

7/4/11: What if  your iOS 4.3.3 device was as easy as visiting www.jailbreakme.com? That's impossible!  ;)

6/30/11: In case you didn't notice, Microsoft suprised us with some out of cycle emergency Windows Updates yesterday and the day before that. Make sure you check for Windows Updates, unless you have a Mac. If you have a Mac, check for Software Updates under the Apple menu.

6/28/11: Arg! Too bright. Applied Mac osX 10.6.8 and the required reboot was blinding.  

6/26/11: Just realized that I haven't used my cassette player in years.    

6/22/11: It's just pathetic how ,  and  just ignore  reports and gladly enable .

6/20/11: Dear email user: your Federal Tax Payment has *NOT* been rejected. The IRS explains ->   

6/16/11: What is @LulzSec? Here's a simple explanation... in Chinese. http://su.pr/2tKhGr Now you know. #lulzsec #ImOnaBoat!

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/lulzsec-anonymous-and-hacktivism-crappy-security-has-caught-up-with-us/ <- Read this about Internet Security!

6/14/11: If I were a suggesting man, which I am, I'd suggest you GET today's latest updates for Windows, Java and Mac. Avoid malware, update your computer. 

6/8/11: Beware of   email allegedly from YouTube Service. The links in the message are  attempts. Hover your mouse above the link, DON'T CLICK... just read the status bar at the bottom of your web browser window to see where the links will take you.

6/7/11: June started out quiet on the computer security front, until I removed my first bit of Malicious Software from a client's Macintosh. Hmm... ? The  is NO LONGER safe from  infection. O_o 

6/2/11: Just saw the first commercial from  mentioning that they are planning to combine with  to make things better ;)

5/30/11: More   junk email  coming in via  and : Download New Version Of Skype ! More Free Talks  Delete the email if you receive it and report the abuse.

5/29/11: Spammer appleiphonedownloads.com hides behind private registration  and continues to send malicious email and . Beware of email like "Social Survey Invite" and "Facebook Privacy Changed."

5/27/11: Even though they have a fancy website, spdnetwork.net is nothing more than a  conduit and should be eliminated from the Internet! 

5/25/11: More on the   scam that's circulating via email:  Learn how to recognize a .

5/19/11: The following  scam is in the wild and active. Don't fall for it.  Here's a picture of it -> 

5/17/11: 's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes super scary story on  .  Read it here <-

5/15/11: It's a TRAP! Don't fall for the fake :  eMail Scam.  A Croatian company is sending out bogus email that directs the recipient to a Soviet website.

5/13/11: Dear Facebook users: this is how you get burned! Don't fall for scams.   Another reason why  sucks: pages created by The Profile Creeperz uses social engineering to infect users FB pages. 

5/11/11: It's Patch Tuesday: This month, #Microsoft brings few... but CRITICAL http://su.pr/2e3d85 #Windows updates.

5/9/11:  Alert: FAKE @ upgrade email and links being sent out by @ and hosted by @. 

5/4/11:  users: here's a tip on how to avoid infection from the fake  ... don't use . Use .

5/2/11: Osama Bin Laden death video scam spreads virally on Facebook  Be careful  you click on!

5/1/11: Another  domain registered by @ is nationwideassociatesinc.com. I told their abuse team. They didn't care.

4/30/11: Here's the truth about the LizaMoon malware from PC Magazine. http://su.pr/6c1Z5x It's social engineering as usual. Good video! Shows how computer virus infections work. And you wonder what happened? PWND!

4/28/11: New avalanche of  coming from Russian, Jordanian and Indian servers, containing  reply addresses. The messages pretend to come from someone interested in sending you naked pictures. What else is new?

4/27/11: Yesterday was the 2nd Tuesday of the month... wait, no it wasn't Microsoft! http://su.pr/4GZr0Y What's UP with the updates?

4/25/11: Today I noticed that the "questionable" registrar Godaddy is responsible for registering one of the websites that sends #spam as NACHA and then tries to infect one's computer with #malware. Here's info on the NACHA spam email you may have received. http://www.nacha.org/news/newsDetail.cfm/RecentBusinessNewsID/233

4/21/11: The world is once again SAFE as Microsoft pushes a Silverlight security update and Apple patches OS X. New iTunes & Safari.

4/18/11: Restarting my 7 computer AGAIN... because of last weeks Windows Updates. There... that should fix it.

4/15/11: Notice: The following IP address 80.79.125.44 may have been compromised and is sending out . = wavecom.ee

4/4/11: #Epsilon: Let me correct your flawed "Important eMail Security Alert:" be very cautious when opening links or attachments from *ANY* sender.

4/2/11: As @LeoLaporte says: it's *the source* AND email in general that shouldn't implicitly be trusted. http://su.pr/1aquMZ <- Major eMail providor Epsilon hacked. Mashable story.

4/1/11: Yadot steewt on erew ereht.

3/30/11: Rumor has it that one can purchase a so called 69 cent "single song album?" @ and get a 20 Gb cloud drive for . He's how: https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/learnmore

3/29/11: : it appears that a new   causes infected user accounts to make wall posts promising an iPad2. Don't click on the link if you see that post on your wall.

3/28/11: The Ventura County, CA web portal online credit card payment system was hacked? http://su.pr/33zx5p - vcstar.com #fail

3/26/11: What to do when your Internet Explorer is in Emergency Mode. There's no such thing! 

3/24/11: Be aware of the following security issues: Comodo has issued bad SSL certificates... so make sure you update your operating system TODAY! Also, Amazon has released its "App Store" for Android. AT&T wireless is blocking it... because of security concerns.

3/23/11: Now that's odd... the new @ App Store for  just requested permission to drive my car. 

3/21/11: : Besides fdcservers.net, cihost.com aka constellate.com is another BIG source of  . Thanks. 

3/19/11: It's a good that  &  merge, as long as AT&T doesn't get rid of super hot spokesmodel Carly.

3/17/11:  web & email host fdcservers.net continues to mess up the from netblocks: 76.73.0.0/17 & 204.45.0.0/16 

3/15/11: Dear @: why are you such an a$$? Who are you benefiting by attempting to shove @ Security Scan at us?  Uncheck the box when installing or updating Java.

3/13/11: Just a reminder that fdcservers.net are currently a HUGE source of . Boycott and block 76.73.0.0/17 Don't trust the "from" line when you get email. The sender can spoof anything.

3/11/11: There's my , my  Touch and ... all together now.

3/9/11: So I'm like, " wtf, MORE  updates?" Then I lO_ok at the stinkin' calendar! It's the 2nd Tues/Wed of the month ;) Get 'em while their hot.

3/7/11: Here's the story about last weeks   malware invasion & HOW it is going to be dealt with. 

3/6/11: All day long... I get in front of clients computer and see McAfee Security Scan on their desktop. -oracle!

3/3/11: Rash of  from 3DGWebhosting.com and fdcservers.net (Note: they are ignoring my abuse reports, therefore they !)

3/2/11: Things you aren't seeing on the other live  event blogs: Steve Jobs just said, the new  is "dishwasher safe."

2/24/11: Look ma... I'm on a ! @ Best Buy 

2/22/11: Nothing makes a computer run faster than a LOT of RAM. I went from 4 Gb to 8 Gb on my . Big difference! 

2/20/11: How fast is ? Well, I have the 50 Mb flavor and I've just d/l'd's - The King of Limbs in < 1 min. 376 Mb :)

2/16/11: Rico, GJ and Mambo... Live in the 805 on Q104.7 @ Gold Coast Broadcasting, LLC 

2/14/11: Just saved a client $26 a month by telling them they didn't need to pay #AOL's dial-up fee... just to keep AOL email. #doh

2/9/11: Don't worry, I've spoken with someone who *says* they work for Microsoft  and the huge number of Windows updates are normal.

1/27/11: Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0.657 <-- is out now. New and improved! (Free)

2. Of course, sometimes I feel restricted by 140 character micro-blogging, so I also have a long form blog. Don't worry, it's not that long. That's why I call it my Tech 'Blog. Worthwhile reading, because I wrote it.

3. Finally, I have a links page. Self explanatory.

4. You may want to sign up and follow me on all social networks that I frequent. Then you can reply back and have my updates sent to your cell phone. When I know... you'll know. Some of the info is technical... some is just plain silly! :)

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Older tweets:

12/13/10: So #Gawker was hacked by #Gnosis. What does that mean to me? http://su.pr/2OpYpG I may be on the list, but I'm not stupid. People... DON'T use the same passwords across the Internet.

11/29/10: Who doesn't love a good Facebook Worm? There's a new one ready to infect your PC. Take a look at all the panic by clicking here ->  (safe)

11/10/10: Wow... it's *already* the 2nd Wednesday of the month... which means #Windows #Patch Tuesday time. Get your #updates now. Check your Windows Updates on your "Start" or "Windows Button" menu.

11/09/10:  users, if you don't have @ on your iPhone or iPod Touch, you really should get it. It's so much fun. www.instagr.am

10/23: #Security Alert: #ThinkPoint is a new rogue fake anti-virus program making the rounds. It looks like Microsoft Security Essentials, but it's NOT. It comes from moneyhick.co.cc and it's evil. Stay away. if you catch it, go to www.bleepingcomputer.com for removal instructions.

10/15:  : eMail from www.itunes-2010-download.com leads to a Russian website that steals your info! Think b4u click. 

10/14: Forgot to mention that yesterday, you may have noticed a slew of Windows updates. Biggest batch yet. 

10/1: Hmm, this official email from Apple (cough) says I've spent $856 thousand dollars at the    and  store. I better click on this  link... to infect my computer. O_o

(No @acomputerpro... don't do it!) Think before you click!

9/28: Windows  notice: yes Virginia... there really were more out-of-cycle  7 updates yesterday. Top secret!  ... ALSO

Fake LinkedIn Invitation Emails Point to Malware. Think before you click. This prays upon your desire to see who wants to communicate with you. Social engineering at its finest.

9/20: Windows #Security Alert: Malicious attack embedded in JavaScript attachmenthttp://su.pr/3TjI5x Email threat via .html attachement.

9/14 #Skype #Fraud Alert: beware of email from "Skype Support " It's a #phishing scam from Russia, not Skype.

9/13 yet another #SCAM alert: Got an email from eftpsgovID00467.com stating that my "Fed Tax Payment has been failed." (Nice grammar, eh?) Report ID #603458 Yep, looks #official. DO NOTfall for this stuff.

Beware of rogue apps in the Android Market. I've just spotted a fake DropBox that was in the featured app section. o_O

Phishing email scams with malicious .html links are on the rise... for example: spoofing amazon.com and newegg.com sales orders. Don't click. Avoid the temptation.

Tip of the Day: to disable annoying Intellitxt & Kontera keyword advertising, click on their help icon and follow the link at the bottom of their page. (opt-out) Sometimes you have to click on the link twice.

8/19/10 More on (not to be confused with moron) the resume.htmlattachement #virus http://su.pr/8u5B5Q <- here. #security This viral infector is rampant on the Internet now. Read the notice.

8/10/10 Microsoft is delivering 14 security updates starting today through tomorrow. FINALLY... Windows will be fixed! #cough

8/3/10 Time to run Windows Update all all versions of Windows. PCMag.com Blog reports: Microsoft Patches Critical 0-Day .LNK Shortcut Flaw. Click here -> http://su.pr/6UEkbj  to read more. #general#microsoft #outofband #patches

7/31/10 Seriously Synopsys.com: for a company as sophisticated as you purport to be, "Update Notice For Your Computer" #SPAM? #fail (I'll be doing an anatomy of spam blog posting as soon as I muster up the energy.)

7/29/10 WARNING: the #Android Market MAY contain #malware from the developer IceskYsl@1sters! http://su.pr/4EvzrT I've just found 6 apps still in the Market.

It's Monday/Tuesday and time to start worrying about CVE-2010-2568. http://su.pr/5HLjIs <- Read more about the Windows shortcut vulnerability.

Still using Windows XP? *screams* Don't get hacked. Let Microsoft fix it! http://su.pr/9iGwAW Just FIX IT!FIX IT!!! #FixIt

7/13/10 is Microsoft Patch Tuesday. Patches? Patches? We don't need no STINKIN' patches. Oh wait... apparently we DO. Windows update time.

Hackers, hackers everywhere. YouTube, iTunes, my PBX http://su.pr/2asBQ2 <-- MacRumors user comments re: iTunes Hackers. Bottom line, don't EVER assume that your password is safe if it's not SUPER secure. Minimum 8 characters, mix of upper and lower case, numbers and a special character.

Apparently... Windows 7 has a critical flaw that is SO bad, a forced restart is necessary after Windows Update on or after 6/24/10.

Trying to find a *convenient* time to apply Mac OS 10.6.4 and iTunes 9.2 updates. I have like 50 tabs open in 3 browsers!

I just became aware of a new viral social engineering plaque underway. IGNORE any email withopen.html attached! Make sure your WINDOWS is up-to-date. Run Windows Updates from your START menu or Windows Button.

 Spam is now seeping into my Gmail inbox. This can't be a good thing. It's obvious #spam too.... listed in a spamblog.

2nd Tue/Wed: Microsoft pushes Windows updates SO critical that they force a restart, however do nothing for my complexion.

New attack bypasses virtually ALL Anti-Virus protection. Okay, I have no proof, but when am I ever wrong? Just Google it.

Perhaps if I start smoking cigars and popping Viagra, I'll be slightly less annoyed by the recent increase in #spam email.

Verizon is continuing to implement Port 25 blocking to FiOS & DSL BUSINESS customers in CA today. Nice going Big Red. You're wreaking havoc for my clients that I serve email to. P.S. Twitter is slow and over capacity on 4/27/10.

You know what sucks about Java? The current JRE installer tries to install crapware. Shame on you! Shame, shame, #shame. 

WARNING: Farm Town Serves Malware Ads to Facebook Users http://su.pr/1dfFGf Users warned to be on guard for trickery in links. Do not click on unknown links in ads. 

Guess who's a Mac developer now? That right... I am. As if I didn't need another reason to party. "ixNay on teh PadiLay."

Don't just shorten the URL, make it suspicious and frightening with ShadyURL.com Here's mine ->http://5z8.info/banned-in-the-US_i0d5m_10101110010110101001