Spoof Spam from Skype users

I got a strange email from Skype:

Click to Enlarge

As you can tell this is spam but it got through my spam filters because the spammers are actually spoofing the email address.  Upon further inspection of the headers of the message I have found this came from a Black Hole IANA.org name server.   Then when I did some even more investigation on this, I found that they are seeing more and more of Email Spoofing for Skype. Which if you went to that URL (Websweetness.com) you will not like what you see.   IT is an Adult site but that is besides the point.  I am betting the spammers are trying to fool the spam filters to make sure this get through.  I talked about the [intlink id="3566" type="post"]Skype Bots[/intlink] before and this seems to be another way they are using Skype for there spam campaigns.

Skype is getting to be used by almost everyone who has internet so this is a good bet that people will get even more spam from spammers who are trying to get around the spam filters.  Until Skype fixes this problem, you can go into Email settings and uncheck "Skype can contact me when someone adds me as a contact".   Although I would like to prevent this totally until they add a way for me to only receive messages from people on my contacts through email this will always be problem until they do that.

Remember if this got through there are a number of things that could also get through such as A Phishing attempt, Scam, or even an Exploit link to have software installed on your system.  So I will always caution people in clicking links they don't know where they go and not everything from friends are always going to safe.  I would recommend people download some good [intlink id="2205" type="page"]Anti-virus and Firewall[/intlink] software to better protect your system and make sure you surf the web a little more safer.

Skype has some Auto-Bots and Friendjungle.com

I was on Skype today and got an instant message from some girl:


The Instant message goes like this:

hello there! I was checking people near me and i came across your page, and you seemed interesting.. ;)


Mary Fowler says: Im not crazy about Skype though ... want to check out my picture and profile ?

use this link: http://www.matchshake.com/?id=4004&profile=rockergrl82


you just sign in (it's free) to get to me, my username's rockergrl82.

[ad]It looks like this is an Bot to help fool you into thinking it is a real person.  The link they give me is a redirect link that lands me on "Friendjungle.com".  I am sure no matter what you answer with the question it asks that it will still send you a link.   You can however tell Skype to only allow chat from people on your contact list but that is totally up to you.   There is a story from the Rip-off Report about Friendjungle.com, so it looks like they went from text messaging to Skype chat.  According to Yahoo Answers, this is more or less a way for them to get money from you.   You sign up and before you realize it they are charging your card, so it looks really shady.   Although, To Friendjungle credit, they do have a scam section to help you report these types of incidents.   I don't know if this works well or not but you can at least try.

There are some good comments about this Friendjungle on other sites that really make me wonder if they just don't want your money.  If you get this type of message from someone, either through SMS or Skype, I'd just go along with my life and not register there are more better places to go to find your true love.

Extended Review : A600 Cricket modem

So I recently went around town with this the [intlink id="3059" type="post"]A600[/intlink] and wanted to provide some insightful outcomes.  I used Speedtest.net like I did before and the results are:

Understanding the speeds.

As you can tell I was getting some really good speeds from this test.  It seems with the added length of the modem has also added a better antenna to the USB Modem.   Although you have to be[intlink id="2484" type="post"] cautious about where you go and the coverage[/intlink] area. Please mak sur you are in the Cricket Coverage area I've been looking for a way to get an [intlink id="2931" type="post"]extender for the modem[/intlink], but have not found a hole for it. So that might be out of possibilities.

What are some possible uses of this modem.

It having the capability to have an Micro SD card, There is a lot of potential for multiple uses of the modem.   In one of my other posts about [intlink id="3171" type="post"]Backing up[/intlink], I talked about some of the more common programs you could use to keep your passwords on you from time to time.  I wanted to add on some other programs that might be useful for the person on the go who might work on computers:[ad#Cricket_USB_Modem]

• Technibble's Repair tool section -- There are a bunch of good software picks to put on this little modem for use with fixing a hardware or software problem you might come across.


• Portable Apps -- This is a great little program that will allow you to have a wide variety of uses such as Mozzila Firefox, and Thunderbird.  There is even a portable Open Office suite so you will never need to have to worry about find a way to read an important document or creating a important document while on the road.


• [intlink id="2646" type="post"]Roboform[/intlink] -- I use this all the time and if you need to keep your passwords safe this is the best solution.  It also has a portable version for your cell phone and an USB.  No more worrying about keyloggers and other such malware, this will increase your security.


• [intlink id="3067" type="post"]The A600 Programs[/intlink] -- This is good for those times when the modem refuses to install the software.  You can always have the software available to install and use at your convenience.


• Portable Skype -- This is good for those who want to [intlink id="2601" type="post"]use skype with the modem[/intlink].  Although you will have to make some modifications and it may or may not work.  I've got the full version of skype but I heard it can be done.


• Wikipedia Of portable applications -- this is a good resource to find out even more programs that might work on the USB Modem.  It after all can hold 4 gigabytes of data.  So there is room for several programs.

I recommend buying this very reliable modem. You should always double check to see if you are in the Cricket Coverage area. If you would like to see some other comments about the A600 please check out my [intlink id="3059" type="post"]other review of this A600[/intlink], you will see some glowing recommendations from other people to buy this modem.

Using Skype with Cellular BroadBand Modems

If your like me you will want to make sure you have the best possible speed and connection with your broad band modem. Here are a few articles to better help with you get the best possible speed with a broad band modem like a Cricket modem:

• Cricket USB UM100 Broadband Wireless Modem Review.


• Get your Cricket Broadband to Activate Manually!


• Cricket Broad Band Modem Extended Review 12/23/08


• Cricket Wireless Broadband Card — How to get better speed!

Some other things to consider are:

• Getting better speeds from your Cellular broadband!


• Understanding a Cellular Modems

These will start to make it better for you to use a modem and get the best possible speeds from the modem.  You have to realize what your coverage area is.  There are many factors in regards to your modem speed but that is something that you will have to figure out how to get better speeds.

How do you use Skype with your Cellular broad band modem?

Somethings to remembers with your broadband modem is you won't have a good connection no matter how hard you try.   Most cellular carriers don't want you to us it with VOIP(Voice of Internet Protocol).   So you will have to pay close attention to how you use the bandwidth and what you are doing while making a VOIP call.

The good thing about Skype is, it comes with some very useful tools to better watch your bandwidth and to help get the best possible connection.  You will want to make sure not to have it be a super-node, to do this you go to:

Tools then;Options

<

As you can see I checked off use port 80 and 443 as alternative incoming connections, I also like to see all the technical information and bandwidth usage per call.  I made sure to use Socks5 to prevent skype from becoming a super-node. I also have it set to not automatically start up when I load windows.  To do that all you have to do is go to the General tab and un-check start Skype when Windows start.   You can use any port you want as long as you use the same on the SOCKs5 setting also.   I just made the port up it can be 0 to 4 numbers long.   If you want to understand what ports are this little document will greatly help you figure out which ports are good to use.  Some other things to remember when you use Skype for long periods of time is if you need to call someone you should try not to use the internet to much for that takes bandwidth also.  It is better to have Skype use all the possible bandwidth you have available.

Upcoming CES 2009 -- Juicy Stories

So we are getting close to CES or Computer Electronics Show to some.  This is going to be a very interesting year, due to the depressing economy.   So I wanted to talk about some of the upcoming announcements at CES so people could get ready for the upcoming 2009 Show:

• Skype will announce free US and Canada calling to cellular numbers or land lines.  This will undoubtedly be an Ad supported service and have a limited amount of minutes per call.  This will be good for people on the road who need to make a quick call here and there without having to pay for anything.  They have given some of the tidbits out already but I can't wait to find out what else they will announce at CES.


• [ad#cricket-1-1]Windows 7 Beta -- People seem to think they will release the beta the same day they announce just like they did at the PDC(Professional Developers Conference) and also give it out to people at CES.  Although that might work to a point it will be very hard for people to get in the BETA.  There is a list brewing of people wanting to get onto the beta in the Microsoft Connection Community Site.  I can't wait for next month but I am sure it is going to be nice.


• Windows Live Beta -- Here is another Microsoft product that might also be combined with Windows 7, it is a possibility and might be intergrated into Windows 7 for some but I am not sure what will happen all to much.  I am sure they will announce something about this at CES and only time will tell.


• IE 8 Beta -- Although this isn't something unexpected.  It however will be interesting to see how they throw this one out to testers because they will undoubtedly test it on Windows 7 and they will be sending these out in the same time.   I think they will be also intergrating this into Windows 7 Beta release as if it will be on the new system.  I do not know what they are going to do but I am sure something will happen.

[ad#ad2-left]This is just a small bit of possible out comes, and there is still more to come.  I wanted to point out that these are not confirmed and should be considered as a rumor nothing more nothing less.  Don't put to much money on what will happen to much.  We do know that the Betas are probably going to come out due to Microsoft announcing these to be out by the first of year.   Only time will tell for what will happen in the coming year though.  I can't wait to find out what happens.

What's with Google trends?

Having been going to the Google Trends and keeping watching.  I am starting to wonder something?  Take a look at this and you tell me?

[ad]Can you see how someone might use this to create a Goog-411 and use it to promote there website? It is all about the hits and getting what publishers like to say the eyes on a website. Now is that going to confuse people or make people not want to come to a site.  So how would people abuse this?

Very Simple, they'd watch what is trending and post accordingly.  Now you as a reader would click on the website expecting to see what you want to see but instead it would popup with advertisements and maybe malware?  Check these links to better understand it:

• Skype isn't always safe!


• Some Important programs to prevent yourself from having viruses and Malware!!

[ad]
Now even though these are just a few.  You can see how someone might want to abuse it and get there site up on Google trends and be able to infect several to even millions of computers before Google sees that or stops.  You could in theory take over a website high in Google rankings and do exactly that.

Then I have to ask myself, why would hackers want to do it in the first? One they'd be able to direct people to sites that they could use to phish your information, or maybe make money by you going to these sites. It is all about money, I don't say that lightly, but it seems to always be true.

So what is Google doing to prevent this? is it right to use Google for your advantage? Do we need it for anything other than to see what people are looking at? Is that a form of them tracking your every click.

[ad]
Are you comfortable with them keeping the list of what people searched for last year? if you don't believe me, go check it out yourself. These are important questions to answer and should be explored.

Skype isn't always safe!!

System Alert ®Says:
WINDOWS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
=============================

ATTENTION ! Security Center has detected
malware on your computer !

Affected Software:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows Win98
Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution / Virus Infection /
Unexpected shutdowns

Recommendation: Users running vulnerable version should install a repair
utility immediately

Your system IS affected, download the patch from the address below !
Failure to do so may result in severe computer malfunction.

http://www.alertscan.net/?q=update
http://www.registryservice.org/?q=scan
http://www.registryscan.cc/ (Newest One)

Now if you are me you do your research? It's spam, they try to scare you into buying there little product and is really stupid!! It says I've got Trojans and spyware but yet, It's not ACTIVE X. I'm thinking its Java look a like!! If you get something from Skype like this just disregard it. If it's an update from Microsoft it comes from the update Microsoft screen not from Skype!!  (DO NOT INSTALL SOFTWARE)

So I am guessing this guys in in Europe. It was created on Oct 2007, so this site is really new!!  This person shouldn't be scaring people like that, Go email them an complain!!.  I'd also go to the skype abuse website and let them know. I really hate people who try to trick people.

There is this possibility that it is Malware. Go check out this topic:
Malware Computer help?

I've also seen another forums post that it might be a virus people talking about it slowing down there system. Check this article out!!

Skype Users. The TMP Cafe

PSP 3.90 firmware update with Skype available

Oh yes, Skype for your PSP-2000 (aka, PSP Slim & Lite) series is now a reality. At least outside of Japan. It's only available via network update at the moment and adds expanded support for PLAYSTATION Network titles. You do have your $20 PSP Headset right? Good, so what are you waiting for punk, get outta here and let us know how it goes.

[Via PSP Fanboy, thanks to everyone who sent this in]
[Via Engadget]

For those of you who have been waiting for this. I thought I'd give you this little update for people who would like to make skype calls on your PSP.

More Skype Spam

[3:41:14 PM] Update ® says: WINDOWS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
=============================

ATTENTION ! Security Center has detected
malware on your computer !

Affected Software:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows Win98
Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution / Virus Infection /
Unexpected shutdowns

Recommendation: Users running vulnerable version should install a repair
utility immediately

Your system IS affected, download the patch from the address below !
Failure to do so may result in severe computer malfunction.

http://www.updatew.org/?q=scan

[ad]

Now if you are me you do your research? It's spam, they try to scare you into buying there little product and is really stupid!! It says I've got trojans and spyware but yet, It's not ACTIVE X. I'm thinking its Java look a like!! If you get something from skype like this just disregard it. If it's an update from Microsoft it comes from the update microsoft screen not from skype!!

If you would like to protect yourself without going to that site try my list of programs to help protect your computer better and they are all free:

Some Important Programs to Prevent Youself from having Viruses!!

[ad]

I've went and did a public DNS look up:

Domain Name:UPDATEW.ORG
Created On:09-Dec-2007 16:37:17 UTC
Last Updated On:01-Jan-2008 10:35:21 UTC
Expiration Date:09-Dec-2008 16:37:17 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:eNom, Inc. (R39-LROR)
Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Status:TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Registrant ID:2E99066135D1A4D0
Registrant Name:Whois Manager
Registrant Organization:Whois Proof Service
Registrant Street1:1901 60th PL
Registrant Street2:Suite L9177
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City:Bradenton
Registrant State/Province:FL
Registrant Postal Code:34203
Registrant Country:US
Registrant Phone:+1.2024700599
Registrant Phone Ext.:
Registrant FAX:
Registrant FAX Ext.:
Registrant Email:b2ap56b7@whoisproof.com

If you're like me and you think that email address is a fake just send them snail mail and complain! Tell the company you don't like this type of advertisement!!

[ad]

Some other things to consider, don't open links in emails and other files sent to you without first verifying from people that it is a legit and they have said they sent it.

Meet Veronica, Sexy Skype Spammer

[8:53:55 AM] Veronica sexy says: Hi are U busy?
[9:03:43 AM] Jeremy Wagstaff says: hi
[9:03:50 AM] Veronica sexy says: How are u ?
[9:04:30 AM] Jeremy Wagstaff says: i'm great. who are you?
[9:04:31 AM] Veronica sexy says: I would love to chat with you, come on http://www.SkyperSex.com !!!

[9:04:36 AM] Jeremy Wagstaff says: no thanks
[9:04:37 AM] Veronica sexy says: I would love to chat with you, come on http://www.SkyperSex.com !!!

[9:04:45 AM] Jeremy Wagstaff says: i'm a bit busy. really
[9:04:47 AM] Veronica sexy says: My internet connection is very bad come on http://www.SkyperSex.com !!!

[Via Loose ire Blog]

Just found this out on the web. Another Skype spam!!! If you have kids like me you don't want to to see this sort of stuff popping up!! This article shows you the way to disable people chats from people you don't know!! Enjoy

3Skypephone launching November 2nd?

We aren't etching this in stone just yet, but we've seen numerous reports claiming that the recent partnership between 3 and Skype will soon lead to an actual piece of hardware. Reportedly, the 3Skypephone will be available on October 29th "for a pre-launch," and will be officially official on November 2nd. Specs wise, it should feature free calls to other Skype users / 3Skypephone owners, a two-megapixel camera, video capturing and an MP3 player. Interested consumers can supposedly choose from three different colors, and it should be available on the "£12 ($25) Mix and Match 100 tariff which offers 100 minutes or texts or any mix of the two." Ah well, at least we've but a few days left to find out for sure, eh?

Does this mean there is a google addon to the Phone?

Make Video Calls and More with Gizmo Project 4

Windows/Mac/Linux (All platforms): Freeware Voice-over-IP (VoIP) application Gizmo Project makes phone calls from your PC similar to the popular Skype. Like when we first mentioned Gizmo Project, it still boasts several excellent features like voice integration with other Gizmo Project users as well as Google Talk, Windows Live and Yahoo Messenger users, support for AIM and MSN chat, and a free call-in number—making it sort of a kitchen sink version of Skype.

The latest version of Gizmo Project supports video chat (though it's not as high quality as Skype), an improved interface, and several worthwhile fixes. If you've tried Skype but you're looking for more functionality and integration with other communication standards, Gizmo Project is worth a go. If you've been using Gizmo Project since we first mentioned it, let us know how it's working for you in the comments. The current beta is Windows only, but will presumably support Mac and Linux soon.

Gizmo Project 4 Beta [Gizmo Project Forums]

You can do alot with this little program. It's still in beta but it has a lot to offer.

ASUS Motherboard Ships With Embedded Linux, Web Browser

The good folks over at ASUS have sent over the P5E3 Deluxe, which is based upon Intel's new X38 Chipset and continues in the usual ASUS fashion of pushing new (and often unexpected) innovations onto the motherboard. Without spoiling the review of this motherboard that will be published shortly, the ASUS P5E3 Deluxe is one of the most innovative motherboards we have seen to date and it packs one very exciting and unusual feature. Embedded onto the P5E3 Deluxe is a Linux environment that features a Firefox-rebranded web browser and the Skype VoIP client! Within five seconds of turning on this $360 USD gaming/enthusiast motherboard, you can be using Linux and surfing the Internet. On this motherboard the feature is known as ASUS Express Gate, which is powered by something called SplashTop. SplashTop is an instant-on Linux desktop being created by DeviceVM. SplashTop isn't even launching for a few more days (October 10), but in this article we have more details on this embedded Linux environment as well as screenshots and our thoughts with what will hopefully come next for this Linux environment.

I wonder if they will ever make a Laptop version of this. It would be useful trips not to have to boot up the system to do some of the minor things