Google Malware Warning System Glitch? »

Ok, maybe it was just me, but earlier today any search through Google displayed the malware warning below the returned result.

First, my wife and I were searching for Petsmart and my wife noticed this warning:

I thought that was odd, but large sites have been hacked before.  So maybe they were having some problems.  However, as we searched for other things, we saw that same warning below every listing in Google, no matter what the search phrase was.  We even searched for “google maps” through Google’s search and here is what we got:

If we attempted to click on any of the returned search results, including the one that would take us to google.com, we got this warning:

In the process of doing more troubleshooting, it seems that the glitch worked itself out.  I wonder if anyone else noticed these issues.  Shout back if you have a second.

I am guessing that the errors we saw were a result of one of these situations:

1 – Google Malware Reporting was experiencing some type of glitch and was erroneously flagging every site as potentially dangerous.

2 – I have gotten some type of virus that is somehow playing around with something hidden in someplace I have yet to discover.

3 – Every site on the Internet (including google.com) was briefly infected with some type of malware and Google was dutifully warning everyone.

Hmm.  Thinking.  Thinking.

I am hoping it was #1

Golf Course Rendering Completed »

Last week, we (well, 3D guru Rodney mainly ) put the finishing touches on a new architectural rendering for Bear Trail Golf Course in Jacksonville, NC.  They are working on creating a brand new clubhouse area that will include a beautiful pool and will even have a playground area for the kids.

We are really looking forward to seeing the finished structure and thank them for the opportunity to help out!

States Taxing iTunes? »

Economically, things are tight everywhere you look these days and State budgets are feeling the pinch too.  This year, States have seen drastic reductions in collections from income tax (if a person’s income drops, so does their tax), sales tax (people are not buying as much) and property tax.

Well, the Governor of New York is proposing one measure that is sure to get music lovers up in arms: impose a state tax on iTunes and “digitally delivered entertainment services.” Awesome!

Governor Peterson’s proposal still needs the approval of New York State Legislators, but I am sure there are 49 other states paying close attention to the outcome of the iTunes tax bill (or iPod tax, as they are calling it).

So, your $0.99 music download might be going up to $1.06 .  If bills like that are passed, I bet there will be a marked increase in music and movie file sharing.

Koobface Virus Shows Up on Facebook »

Facebook has quickly become one of the most popular Social Networking websites around and that is something that virus writers, hackers and other bad guys have certainly noticed.

There have been reports of those wacky Nigerians hacking into Facebook accounts and impersonating the user to try to scam money from their friends and reports of a Facebook javascript bug.

Now, there are reports of a virus called Koobface in circulation on Facebook.  Here is how it works:

• A hacker infects a Facebook user’s PC
• The hacker then sends messages to the user’s Facebook friends.  The messages say something like “You look just awesome in this new movie” or something seemingly innocent like that.
• A link contained in the message sends the recipient to a website where they are prompted to download a supposed update of Adobe’s Flash Player, so they can “view the video”.
• If the recipient clicks the link, their PC is infected and the cycle continues.

The hackers are taking advantage of the climate of trust the exists on Facebook.  Friends feel that any message they receive from one of their friends on Facebook should be trusted because of the privacy features in place.  We tend to let our guard down and not think that our friend’s account could have been hacked or that a message we receive could contain a malicous virus like Koobface.

What Kind of Moron Would Shoot a Swan? »

This post is certainly not technology related, but I cannot help but wonder about the thought process of some people.

According to a report from Wilmington NC television station WECT, some residents are saying that hunters are shooting Swans in Hewlett’s Creek.  These Swans are the kind that children feed with bread crumbs, in some cases they will eat right out of your hand.  Shooting an animal like that is wrong on so many levels:

1. The animal does not fear humans and so cannot distinguish the threat.  So they are not really “hunting”, are they?
2. It is illegal to shoot animals in Wilmington City Limits.
3. It’s a Swan – it is not like they are killing a wild boar or a bear.  I suppose these guys need something that presents a little less of a challenge.

The residents that say they have witnessed Swans being shot also say that the hunters are covering up their boat numbers so that they cannot be identified.  Evidently, they know that what they are doing is wrong and would probably be embarrassed to get caught.

Hopefully, the residents will get some evidence on camera.

If you are one of the “hunters” who shoot animals as they innocently swim close to you, please leave a comment because there are lots of people who would love to see if you can create a complete sentence with your words .