Meet our writers

Technology December 2012

Ask Mr. Modem

Beware of Security Scams

That would be like somebody breaking into your home, determining that your toaster wasn't working properly and leaving you a note, “Hi, there! We broke into your home, looked around and discovered that your toaster isn't working. Mail us $25 and we'll come back and fix it for you."

Q. SpeedyPCPro appeared out of nowhere on my computer and warned me of a number of security problems that it can fix if I pay them. My McAfee Security runs daily and shows no such problem. I'm inclined to think this is a scam. What do you think, Mr. M?

A. Any program that appears out of nowhere and tells you anything about your computer should be considered a scam, malware or worse. Think of it this way: Even if the program was legitimate, for it to analyze your computer without your permission means that your computer was hacked – broken into – which is illegal, not to mention how it can ruin your day. Beyond that, a company that actually hacked into your system would have to be incredibly stupid to announce, "Hey, we just accessed your computer without your permission and we found some problems. If you pay us X dollars, we'll fix the problems.”

That would be like somebody breaking into your home, determining that your toaster wasn't working properly and leaving you a note, “Hi, there! We broke into your home, looked around and discovered that your toaster isn't working. Mail us $25 and we'll come back and fix it for you."

This type of scam is very successful because many users react instead of thinking it through. They see the alert message and think, “Eek! My computer has problems. I'd better get them fixed," so they click the accompanying link, which then swings open the doors to their computer. Victims then pay to supposedly fix a problem that never existed in the first place.

 

Q. My health club sent out some promotional CDs that are smaller than normal, like mini CDs. Does my computer need some kind of special adapter for these? I put one in the slot but I'm afraid to push the tray in for fear it will somehow get stuck in the computer. Help!

A. As long as the center hole is the standard diameter of any other CD, and the CD doesn't physically fall through the slider tray, the CD should be fine to use.

If the tray does not physically support the CD, then a mini CD adapter would be needed. Run a Google search for “mini CD adapter” and you will have a lovely assortment from which to choose.

 

Q. I've got a really dumb question, Mr. M., so here goes: When you scan a document, does it use ink from your printer? I just bought an HP printer/scanner. It has three color cartridges and a black cartridge, which is more expensive than my previous printer, so I want to be careful and not needlessly waste ink. I'm just not sure how this all works, so any light you can shed would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for being there and not making people like me feel like an idiot.

A. There are NEVER any dumb questions here in Mr. Modemville, so I'm glad you asked. When you scan a document, it doesn't use any ink at all. The act of scanning simply creates a digital image (file) of whatever is being scanned. Think of it as taking a photo of the item being scanned.

When you print a scanned document, you are printing a file and that process is identical to printing any other file and does consume printer ink. So if your printer isn't churning out a printed sheet, it's not consuming ink.

 

Mr. Modem’s DME (Don’t Miss ‘Em) Sites of the Month

Classical NPR

Here you will find all sorts of articles about classical music and can listen to live audio streams. Be sure to take a look at the items listed under Features on the Navigation strip. If you love classical music, this is one site worth visiting. Visit it once and you'll definitely keep coming Bach for more.

www.npr.org/music/genres/classical

 

FedSpending

Have you ever wondered what boondoggles the government is squandering our money on? If your blood pressure is running too low and it needs a boost, examine federal spending for yourself at this site. Visit the About the Data section (top right of the page) and see how the data is aggregated. There is even a handy Data Dictionary that can help you translate bureaucratic gobbledygook. Use any of the tabs on the left side of the page to check out the different sections.

www.fedspending.org

 

MyMedicare.gov

You will have to establish an account and provide your Social Security number, but if you do, you will have access to your Medicare account. Among other information, you can see what your doctors billed Medicare and how much (more likely how little) Medicare reimbursed them.

http://mymedicare.gov

 

For more information about Mr. Modem's technology-tips eBooks and award-winning weekly computer-help newsletter, featuring his personal answers to your questions by email, visit www.MrModem.com.

Meet Mr. Modem