Today's Tids Issue 2,773
Opening Stuff:
 
When you walk the streets of this historic Newport town after a snow fall; when the trees are hanging low, and the streets not plowed, but occasional ruts or footprints from a brave soul; you feel that you have gone back in time. The clapboard 18th century homes look as they must have; All that is modern has disappeared from view. You anticipate a wooden paneled front door with big brass knocker to fly open and kids dressed in woolen shawls over gingham dresses to run out and jump in the piles of snow. You expect to see General Rochambeau's soldiers walking the neighborhood awaiting the word from General George Washington, to move onto to Yorktown Virginia. It's a beautiful time. A quiet time. The only disruptions being scenes you paint in your mind.

That news item about women being allowed to join the Arabian Shura is a big deal. I wrote a short story a year or so ago about the fate of women in Saudi Arabia smiling bravely over sad hearts; appearing bright under the reflections from the modern buildings, The Kingdom Tower of Riyadh. The new Arabia, they said. In researching the short tale, I was moved by the words from abaya and nigab draped women I saw and heard. I was spent when I finished the story "Glistening Sun on Ebony Hair" because the plight seemed so resolutely destined. This morning, progress moved beyond paved streets and shiny buildings.

The Question:
Name four basic ways to reduce problems from computer hackers.

The Headlines:
--Stocks Up.
--Saudi King Abdullah Swears In In First Female Members Of Shura Council; Move Riles Conservative Clerics.
--Syria Government Counterattacks Rebels In Aleppo
--Netanyahu Thanks Outgoing Pope
--Hillery Joins Speaker Group; 6 Figure Fees Expected.
--Newtown Killer Adam Lanza Admirer Of Norwegian Mass Murderer Anders Breivik.
--Nigerian Terrorists Nabbing French Tourists.

When a members of one political party recommend a candidate to the the other Political Party, look at the candidate they aren't recommending.

Occasionally a news item is released like the one today, "Security Group Suspects Chinese Military Is Behind hacking Attacks." The fact is, according to Tids reliable sources in cyberland is that US computers at all levels receive millions of hacker intended hits a year. Many are testing for weaknesses, and even if discovered are stored away for more advantageous use, or effective attacks. This also lessens the chance that the holes will be discovered and repaired by the attackee. Hacking is a continuous game, a real threat to the world. One that has gone far beyond gamesmanship.

When the government steps into "help" business it more often than not disrupts the positive machinations of the free enterprise system. Bailouts to big financial institutions tend to assure continued  mismanagement, dangerous risk taking and outright fraud. The laws of profit and loss will always better govern sane business operations whether in a Ma and Pa restaurant or General Motors. Forcing a $9 minimum wage will alter the natural growth of industries. Just as the government  involvement in natural phenomena could interrupt physiological cycles.

Some days I feel like Henry David Thoreau.

GM made it back not just because the government stepped in, but mainly because the Unions stepped back.

I think that "The Following" is one of the better TV shows in years. It's a bit bloody at times but not quite as outrageous as it was in the opening episode. It's that beginning that makes it so tense. The idea that anything could happen and usually does has the viewer looking over the shoulder's of the stars yelling out warnings. Sometimes too late. It's a show that has many turns and twists, and speeds by each Monday night at 9:00 on Fox.

The next time you look at a Pundit forecast for the Stock Market, remember that in January 2000 The Investors Business Daily predicted a DOW at 49,200 by 2013. Predictions of 100% annual returns was the new norm. Early retirement was the buzz. And today, "The American Dream" is fractured. 

For every down there is new potential for up. 

Unless of course a seven mile wide asteroid hits earth, when "Up" would be a million or so years away. When dinosaurs would find human remains.

The Answer:
First, simply turn off computer when not using. Hackers scan for "green lights" (On computers). Have a good Virus protection (My cyberwarfare Hacking expert says stay away from Russian Kaspursky). Don't download from site pop-up suggestions like Adobe and Java. Go to site and see what is available. Backup all data. Scan your computer for viruses and malware on a regular basis. Watch how your clicks to sites are rerouted. Just don't assume that everything is ok. Of course beware of all pass-along stuff from Uncle Joe. If it looks weird, it probably is.

See you tomorrow everybody! Thanks for your time.