Koobface–Still A Pain For Users Of Facebook

Koobface is an anagram of the word Facebook, and it has been haunting Facebook users for at least the last year and a half. It doesn’t look like it’s going away any time soon. As soon as antivirus companies update their antivirus software to eradicate one version of Koobface, the criminals quickly release variant after variant of this persistent worm. The most likely way to contract Koobface is through email. It comes inside infected email messages or attachments to the emails. Koobface attempts to spread by identifying your friends list and emailing them a message that looks like it came from you. Once inside your computer Koobface may install other malware. It steals your passwords and credit card numbers. There are several things you can do to protect yourself including:

1. Never follow unasked for links.
2. Be careful when deciding to download third party Facebook applications.
3. Never update your flash player, or anything else, if you get a pop-up inside of Facebook saying you need to update.
4. Make sure your antivirus software is up to date and scan your system a couple of times a week

Acer Recalls 22,000 Notebook Computers

On January 7, 21010, Acer and, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, announced the recall of 22,000 notebook computers. The recalled Aspire models are the Acer AS3410, AS3410T, AS3810T, AS3810TG, AS3810TZ and AS3810TZG.

An internal microphone wire, located under the palm rest, can short circuit and overheat potentially causing burns.
Acer has received three reports of computers short circuiting, resulting in slight melting of the external casing. None of these incidents occurred in the United States, and no injuries have been reported.

If you own one of these computers, you should stop using it and contact Acer who will provide you with a free repair. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Division

Lenovo Customer Service is the Best

I call several of the name brand computer manufacturers regularly, and I have gotten used to obscenely long hold times and a high level of customer no-service. Like most Americans, I’ve gotten used to being treated like a number by big corporate machines. So, when I had to call Lenovo recently, I was amazed. They answered the phone promptly, they were pleasant, I wasn’t left on hold forever while “The Girl From Ipanema” played in the background, and I wasn’t passed around to three or four different people who either didn’t want to help or couldn’t help. Also shocking was that the person who answered the phone spoke understandable English!

Customer service quickly agreed to send me the computer part I needed, and I was off the phone within 6 or 7 minutes of having placed the call. I spoke to them about 3:00 in the afternoon and the next morning at 8:00 FedEx delivered the part I ordered! I had expected to wait at least 3 or 4 days for it.

On top of all this, their computer is a quality machine that is built to last and doesn’t come filled with bloatware and trialware. I have a custom built desktop computer that I love using, and a brand X laptop that is getting traded in next time I need one for a Lenovo. Quality and customer service should be rewarded.