Typosquatting Defined

Typosquatting is the act of purchasing a domain close to an existing one (i.e. Ebbay.com in lieu of Ebay.com) and linking it to a page of advertisements and links. The people that perform this act hope to lure folks that frequently make typos to their site and earn revenue from the aforementioned advertisements and links. These type of pages can contain malicious software, however, there usually just attempts to earn revenue.

If you’re ever presented with a page full of useless links instead of what you were looking for when trying to visit a new site, be sure to double check your address.

Filed under: Advice, Tech Term

Chuck Norris Malware Sweeping Across the Web

If you use default manufacturer login and passwords for your computer equipment, be warned. There’s a nasty bit of malware circulating across the internet called “Chuck Norris” taking advantage of folks who never adopt unique passwords for their routers and DSL modems. The malware, dubbed Chuck Norris due to a comment relating to the actor appearing within the code, attempts to guess default modem/router passwords when it comes in contact with your computer. Should it be successful, it will add your computer to something called a botnet, which is a network of infected computers the person responsible for the malware could command to do his or her bidding.

So, if your administrator login is ADMIN and your password is PASSWORD, be sure to change them while you can. Make them something unusual and memorable!

Filed under: Advice

Google to Test Fiber Optic Internet Access in the US

Google recently announced plans to begin testing fiber-to-the-home internet service across the country. For those unfamiliar, fiber-to-the-home is an incredibly fast way of accessing the internet (100 + times faster than average speeds) via fiber optic cables. Fiber service is available in bigger cities; however, most rural areas have been ignored.

Currently, Google is accepting nominations for communities to begin testing the fiber service in. So, if you’re interested in seeing something like this come to the area, visit this link, click get involved, and fill out the application.

Here’s a video provided by Google on their plans:

Filed under: News