Skype Has Worms? »

In case you are new to our blog, we LOVE Skype because it allows subscribers to make FREE calls from computer to computer AND free calls (until the end of this month) from computer to landline or cell phone. Free is always nice. But, there appears to be a little hiccup.

Websense has found a worm that is replicating through Skype.

It seems that a potential victim will get a chat message through Skype Chat. In that message, the target is asked to download a file called sp.exe.

If this file is downloaded and installed, it attempts to steal passwords and other sensitive data from the user’s computer. It will also attempt to connect to a remote computer to download more little nasties.

Personally, I feel that this is allot of steps to take before the user is actually in any danger. And, really, if a person would download a file through chat THEN install said file, without knowing anything about it, I question whether they are competent enough to even turn their computer on.

Hopefully, that means the risk is minimal, just be careful. Skype is very popular (that is why Ebay purchased it) so it will probably become a juicier target for worms, viruses and other unsavories.

Free Skype is Over This Month »

I have been using Skype to make calls from my PC (and my Ipaq with Skype for Pocket PC) to any other North American phone for free since it was first offered May 15 of this year. Since that time, my contact list has grown, I receive NO telemarketer calls and, occasionally, Skype actually asks me about the quality of my connection. What is not to love about that? It is a thing of beauty.

However, the free promotion is over at 11:59 p.m. December 31, 2006. Woe is me. What am I to do? I thought about the Lycos option and it sounds ok, but I am really hooked on Skype. Plus, I just spent the past 6 months getting other people hooked on it.

But wait, what is this? After checking the Skype website, I see that they have a possible solution. Starting in January 2007, 1 year of the same service that I currently have will only cost me $29.95. For the WHOLE YEAR. $29.95, about $2.50 a month. Score!

“But wait, there’s more” (cheesy announcer voice). If I signup before January 31, 2007, it will only cost me $14.95, about $1.25 a month (cue Sally Struthers “For the price of a cup of coffee” you can be making phone calls from your PC).

That is awesome, IMO. Sign me up, Sally!

WiFi Cellphones »

There has been allot of talk lately about WiFi enabled cellphones. I, personally, am not ready to jump on board just yet. I have some concerns about security and stuff like that. Anyway, a post on The Wireless Report brings up another potential issue – unauthorized access to wireless networks. As WiFi cellphone use grows, your may notice a decrease in the speed of your wireless Internet connection:

users will be making calls from open wireless networks, thus increasing the frequency of people piggybacking on others’ accessibility.

Very good point. But, there is an easy fix for that, one which we have posted about before and The Wireless Report mentions also:

the message for those individuals and smaller businesses to secure their wireless networks becomes even stronger. If you don’t want a stranger “borrowing your bandwidth” for these purposes, then take the time to secure your network.

If you have not yet taken steps to protect your wireless network, you are already behind. It is very easy to do and takes only a few minutes. In fact, many wireless router manufacturers will walk you through the process for FREE.

Sony Mylo First Impressions »

Well, there are a few that have grabbed a Sony Mylo and have given their impressions. Andy over at VoIP Watch apparently had an extra $350 laying around (must be nice, Andy ) and so went out and purchased one. He gives a very thorough Sony Mylo review on his blog. This was an especially nice move for Andy because he already subscribes to T-Mobile, so starting in November, he gets 1 year WiFi access for free at T-Mobile Hotspots.
Then there is Jim at Skype Journal. He one-upped Andy and got his Sony Mylo without paying a dime. Yes, he gets to “review” it and report his findings (really must be nice, Jim ). Jim, do you get to keep the Mylo? You can read his review on his blog also.
As word gets out about this little communicator, more and more people will have comments, I am sure. If you get one, let us know about it. Do you like the WiFi access? How’s the VoIP quality? How’s the Mylo’s speed? In the meantime, if you want to read some great reviews, hop over to the above mentioned blogs and check them out.

Babble – Another Free VoIP Service »

Just ran across Babble which offers a similar package as Skype. Free calls to landlines from your computer. However, they are slightly different. Your free account gives you 30 minutes per day of calls for the next 90 days, but you can only call certain countries.

The list includes many European countries and the US, Canada and some South American countries (click here for the full list)

But, they are offering a really neat feature. You can signup for a Babblestick. For $35 you get a 256Mb USB stick and headphones. You insert it into any USB port and can then make VoIP calls from that computer. Meaning, you could call from a coffee house with the Babblestick without having to download any software.