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Tuesday, October 20, 2015

TALES FROM THE CRYPTOVAULT


I was robbed!  But first I was infected.  It began as I was blithely engaged in a Google search, an alarm blared! Large writing appeared on my screen. My computer was in the process of being infected! It scared the living daylights out of me! I was given an 888 number to call. “WE’RE SERIOUS DIANNE,” it read.  And my computer was FROZEN!

Computers can’t be trusted, so I phoned my Tech man, Jake. He instructed me to shut down immediately from the back. Hopefully that would end the virus! A few days later, the same thing happened. We knew this was a serious problem and something had to done.

Jake removed 2 Trojan bugs and updated my anti-virus software.  I thought I was safe!!! This occurred around the end of June.

Early July 4, I logged on to work on my blog. To my horror and confusion, I found myself locked out! Several weird pages kept popping up. Since it was a holiday weekend, I was unable to reach Jake. The rest of my computer (Email & Facebook) worked fine, so I didn’t think it was that bad.

The following morning, I reached Jake. As soon as I mentioned CRYPTOVAULT, he instructed me to shut down immediately and keep my computer off until he arrived early the next day! Unknown to me, this virus is a particularly treacherous & sophisticated one. The worst of the worst!!!  I helped spread it just by using my computer. Now I was unable to access ANY of my files!

Jake cautioned not to get my hopes up.  He was pessimistic toward any retrieval. These are tales lost forever to the Cryptovault.

Frustratingly, my files still existed, but they were being held for ransom. For about $500 I might get them back. Jake advised against it. Even if I could spare the money, it’s never a good idea to pay ransomers. There are no guarantees; they are not the highest caliber of human beings.

“These are groups of thieves who rake in billions!” Jake told me.” They’ve hit banks and big corporations that just pay them. These low lives would be easy to catch,” he explained, “Just follow the money and then impose sanctions on the countries that fail to turn them over.  Yet our government does nothing!”

 “Why would they target a little potato like me?” I was curious to know.

“It’s random,” he said. “It may have come attached to something you shared on Facebook.” 

I’ve since learned that Cryptovault can’t be stopped by anti-virus software. This is truly unnerving!

Jake took my computer home to be flushed out.  I worked on the small laptop purchased for my trips. I asked what to do if Cryptovault struck while I was out of the country. “Don’t worry,” he said, “You have no files left to steal.”

Among my stolen files were 8 completed chapters of a new book, plus a lengthy draft of another, short articles & detailed story ideas, poems, & several completed future blogs yet to be posted. Painstaking, long, tedious hours of work were lost in an instant!!! 

If someone broke into my home and stole from me, at least I’d have recourse.  But when someone steals my intellectual property no option exists, at least not in this case!

When Jake returned with my desktop, there was positive news. The FBI had just busted a ring of cyber thieves! They were probably connected to Cryptovault in some way. -- However this came too late to help me.

As for my lost work, I’ve tried to re-create the book along with other stuff, but the passion just isn’t there, anymore. Could this be a sign from the universe. Everything in those files was from my soon-to-be old life, here. Perhaps now my focus should be directed elsewhere.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

HIGH TECH WRECK


OK, so the IPhone that shoots photos didn’t work out for me. Even my Tech guy Jake couldn’t get it working right! He suggested that I return it for a refund and get a digital camera.

When I opened the box, I found another elf device. Just like the phone, it was tiny!  -- I don’t like small things, I like BIG things! My near-sighted vision is getting worse all the time. Plus the directions were confusing.

At the time, all of my files had been stolen by the Cryptovault virus! Jake had to take my desktop home to flush it out. He found a small laptop for me to take on my trips. I used this in the meantime.

Naturally I had issues with the camera! I scheduled an appointment with Jake to come and give me instructions that I could actually understand. As it turned out, my new camera came with no memory! The salesman neglected to tell me I needed to buy that extra.

In a few days, Jake would be leaving for vacation. He wouldn’t be back until after I had left for mine. He suggested I return to the store and make them put in the memory and instruct me how to use it.

I phoned the place and explained my situation. The lady at the other end seemed amused. I felt old and stupid. She told me they could install the memory, but the camera had to be activated from my computer. -- This is where we hit a wall with my phone, even after I let them talk with Jake and told them he was my son!  And still the phone issues were never resolved!

I returned the camera for a gift card. Exasperated, I went with Plan C and bought several disposable ones at Walgreens. The IPhone & digital camera were a poor fit for me and nothing but a headache.

As for the laptop, it fit nicely into my tote, but that’s about all. Of course I had problems with Wi-Fi! Even when I could get connected, I was unable to open any links. This was frustrating because I like keeping up with the news. Plus I felt like I was working on a child’s toy. I needed a rubber-tipped pen to operate it because my nails are naturally long. If I hadn’t wasted so much money, I’d either throw the damn thing away or use it a coaster for my teapot.

NOW, my office computer has a dying battery, if ignored, according to Google, my computer will develop dementia.  (Notice I said my computer, not me! And yes, I still hear that mysterious sound in the walls!) This device is already showing signs, such as the calendar date not changing and when I update, it doesn’t stick! (Actually this does kind’a sound like me.) Anyway, Jake is coming to my rescue with a new battery soon.

However during my trip, I must admit, it was quite nice NOT to be connected. I felt free!!!

I am thinking how wonderful just to be retired and keep only the minimum computer stuff, my Blog, Homepage & Email! I’d remove myself from both LinkedIn & Facebook. Certainly it would be less stressful.

Every time I get one of those notices on LinkedIn stating, “Dianne, people are looking at your profile.” My paranoia kicks in. I want to scream, “Why, what are they looking at? There’s nothing to see here, go away and just keep moving!” And I know this is the wrong reaction. Plus I am grateful for every single endorsement, HONEST!

The only reason I’m still on Facebook is because I enjoy the artwork, jokes, and of course the kitten videos! But I could be out making memories instead, doing better things with my time. Besides, 90% of my so-called “Friends” are strangers.

Most of my close friends aren’t that heavily into Facebook, they enjoy lives that involve doing actual things. All I really need to stay in touch is Email, even if I’m living on another continent. Also I wouldn’t mind snail-mailing.

I’m not against progress; I just don’t like it forced on me!!!