by Ira Wilsker Golden Triangle PC Club
From the March, 2005 issue of the I/O Port Newsletter
This weekly column will be a little different than those I have written
over the past few years, in that it will be updating some of the information
from previous columns. In technology, probably much more than other fields,
change is constant and rapid, and yesterday’s hot topic may now be in the
trash bin of history almost as quickly as yesterday’s hot new technologies
appear in the bargain bin of our favorite stores.
RECALLS
Microsoft recently “recalled” the power cords on about 14 million, or
about 70% of all of its popular Xbox video game consoles because they may
pose a fire hazard, or may burn users. In typical “Microsoft-ese”, the
software giant explained that it was not really a recall in legal terms.
According to Microsoft, there have been a total of 30 such incidents
reported, seven of which resulted in minor burns, and 23 incidents with
minor damage to carpet or entertainment center furniture. The defective
power cords are only on game consoles manufactured prior to October 23,
2003. According to Microsoft, only about one in ten-thousand of the
machines manufactured prior to October 23, 2003, will have a defective cord,
and pose a threat. Microsoft will replace the power cords of effected
Xboxes for free. Owners may contact Microsoft toll free at 866-271-0450, or
go to the official Xbox website at www.xbox.com and click on the link for
“Power Cord Replacement for Xbox” link. Microsoft recommends that Xbox
users owning the covered consoles unplug and cease using the consoles until
the replacement power cords arrive.
Philips has recalled about 15,000 of its flat panel monitors sold under the
Hewlett-Packard (HP) brand name, with the HP model number HP L2035 Flat
Panel Monitor, with serial numbers ranging from CNP352Y001 to CNP423Y1HS.
The monitors were manufactured between December 2003, and June, 2004.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, www.cpsc.gov, “a
ground clip inside the back plastic panel of these monitors can be
incorrectly installed, posing a risk of electrical shock to consumers.”
The CPSC has reported one minor shock, which did not result in an injury to
a user of these monitors. Owners of this monitor should unplug the monitor
and use a different computer (or monitor) to determine if their monitor was
recalled. HP has a toll free number available at 800-254-2280, and a
website online at www.L2035recall.com with the recall information. If
affected, the owners will receive instructions on how to get their monitors
tested, repaired, or replaced at no charge.
Owners of Psion notebook computers need to check their AC power adapters to
see if they were recalled. There have been nine reports of these power
supplies overheating, but no injuries have been reported. Recalled adapters
were sold with Psion Teklogix netpad, netBook, and NETBOOK PRO notebook
computers. The recalled adapters are labeled with the name “Sunpower (UK)
Ltd,” the part number 9NA0180300, and date code D/C: 034810. Users should
cease using the adapters right away, and call Psion at 800-387-8898, or
check the website at www.psionteklogix.com. A free replacement power supply
will be provided to replace the recalled devices.
PHISHING SCAMS
Sadly, a recurrent topic in this column has been “PHISHING” scams. This
occurs when computer users respond to an authentic looking but phony email
or website apparently from a major financial service company or retailer.
The user is then instructed to enter account numbers, social security
numbers, PIN numbers, and other personal information which may then be
utilized to financially drain the individual, and make him a victim of
identity theft. Phishing may be one of the most rapidly growing forms of
internet fraud, claiming countless victims.
Unfortunately, a new variation
of the scam has recently appeared. In this scam, somewhat reminiscent of
the infamous Nigerian 419 scams mentioned in earlier columns, the victim
receives an email apparently from a major bank that a new account has been
opened in his name, and a large deposit has been made. The victim is
provided with a phony bank account number and PIN to access the account.
The user is then directed to an authentic looking website purportedly that
of the bank, where they are prompted to enter the account number and PIN
provided. The victim is offered the opportunity to transfer the large
balance shown to his own local account. The victim then enters his real
banking information in order to implement a wire transfer, but instead the
victim’s account is drained and sent to unknown perpetrators. The false
websites are typically located in Russia, Eastern Europe, Korea, Pakistan,
or mid-eastern countries. Once the funds are illicitly transferred, it may
be impossible to recover the funds, and the victim will be financially
devastated.
As has been warned here in the past, if it appears too good to be true, it
probably is not true. Still a small percentage of us, sensing riches are
overcome by our greed gene, and think that we are getting something for
nothing. Instead of capitalizing on someone else, we become the victim. We
should all know better and not fall for these scams.
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