The Security Skeptic

Cyber Monday safety advice from a late 1960s Rhythm and Brass Band

I love jazz fusion, rhythm and brass bands.  Big horns and powerful, soulful female vocalists were root causes for frequent speaker replacements in my youth. It's no surprise that my iTunes includes albums by Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janice Joplin and  Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan. 

Familiar as I am with this music, I was surprised to discover some sage online shopping advice buried among the lyrics from a 1971 song, The Pickpocket (Album: Peculiar Friends Polydor Records)

Click to play clip of The Pickpocket  Someone's got your wallet You ain't seen his face Someone's got your papers You ain't getting no place  Someone's got your number Pawn ticket on your stuff Someone you've never noticed Knows everything about who you are  You're a fool fool fool and you know that's true he's made a stoned damn fool out of you

Buy the album!

Twelve days of Phishmas - 2011

Phishers are thankful for how generous so many Internet users have been in 2011. As they did in 2009 and 2010,  carolers are filling IRC channels with the merry sounds of Phishmas anew!

Photo by Lucci Lugee Liyeung

On the first day of Phishmas, Twitter postmaster emailed me...

Kim Kardashian is following me!

On the second day of Phishmas, Western Union emailed me...

A wire transfer's waiting, and Kim Kardashian is following me!

 On the third day of Phishmas, the nice bank texted me...

We'll erase your debt, wire transfer's waiting, and Kim Kardashian is following me!

On the fourth day of Phishmas, a hottie sexted me...

Hi my name is Holly, we'll erase your debt, wire transfer's waiting, and Kim Kardashian is following me!

On the fifth day of Phishmas, an email came to me...

PLEASE VIEW THIS FLASH! Hi my name is Holly, we'll erase your debt, wire transfer's waiting, and Kim Kardashian is following me!

On the sixth day of Phishmas, my Facebook app told me...

You're naked in this photo, PLEASE VIEW THIS FLASH! My name is Holly, we'll erase your debt, wire transfer's waiting, and Kim Kardashian is following me!

On the seventh day of Phishmas, a follower tweeted me...

I have an iPad for you:-) You're naked in this photo, PLEASE VIEW THIS FLASH! My name is Holly, we'll erase your debt, wire transfer's waiting, and Kim Kardashian is following me!

On the eighth day of Phishmas, web.offi0e emailed me... 

3% Loan offer! I have an iPad for you:-) You're naked in this photo, PLEASE VIEW THIS FLASH! My name is Holly, we'll erase your debt, wire transfer's waiting, and Kim Kardashian is following me!

On the ninth day of Phishmas, PayPal emailed me...

My account's suspended, 3% Loan offer! I have an iPad for you:-) You're naked in this photo, PLEASE VIEW THIS FLASH! My name is Holly, we'll erase your debt, wire transfer's waiting, and Kim Kardashian is following me!

On the tenth day of Phishmas, a Russian pill gang promised me...

I won't need a prescription, my account's suspended, 3% Loan offer! I have an iPad for you:-) You're naked in this photo, PLEASE VIEW THIS FLASH! My name is Holly, we'll erase your debt, wire transfer's waiting, and Kim Kardashian is following me!

On the eleventh day of Phishmas, FTD offered me...

An exclusive offer! I won't need a prescription, my account's suspended, 3% Loan offer! I have an iPad for you:-) You're naked in this photo, PLEASE VIEW THIS FLASH! My name is Holly, we'll erase your debt, wire transfer's waiting, and Kim Kardashian is following me!

On the twelfth day of Phishmas, my sister in Christ begged me...

Help me heal my husband, an exclusive offer! I won't need a prescription, my account's suspended, 3% Loan offer! I have an iPad for you:-) You're naked in this photo, PLEASE VIEW THIS FLASH! My name is Holly, we'll erase your debt, wire transfer's waiting, and Kim Kardashian is following me!

Remember that phishers exploit email, text, and all forms of social media. During this holiday season, please remember to Stop, think, connect.

 

Then and now... catching a rising star

In 1971, a friend attending Philadelphia College of Arts copped tickets for a "Blues Bag" concert featuring the Allman Brothers Band. The venue, the old Philadelphia Civic Center, was predictably packed to the rafters. Among the half-dozen warmup acts was a newcomer, a redheaded blueswoman who nailed classic blues as well as rock and gave us a preview of her own songwriting talents. I was captivated and sought out her debut album, Bonnie Raitt, the very next day.

Last night, I attended a private APWG social event in Tacoma. All the native Seattlans and Tacomans enthused over the young musician host Internet Identity had engaged to entertain us. A classic rock ensemble of drums, lead guitar, bass, and keyboards played a mix of light jazz, rock and blues during cocktails and dinner. After dinner, a tiny wisp of a thing joined the band.

She rocked the house.

Vicci Martinez blew me away, just as Bonnie Raitt had a lifetime ago. Vicci's a born live performer. Singing mostly her own works, Vicci wowed us with blues, ballads, soul and hard rock, then closed her act with a Jimmie Hendrix tune that transitioned to  work of her own, and finished with Led Zeppelin's Whole lotta love. After the performance, she sat stageside, signed CDs, and welcomed the attention and compliments with humility and grace. I told her about my Bonnie Raitt experience, told her that she was every bit as promising and rising a star, and her eyes warmed.

Photo by James Paschal Cecil Jr.

Vicci is special. Grab her CD and don't miss the opportunity to hear her live.