Power Ideaz

By Pinaki GhoshHappy Halloween friends!This is one day of the year that reminds me of the hundreds of horror movies I have watched throughout my life. Most of them did not touch me; but some definitely did. I quite clearly remember the first two horror movies I watched as a child. The first was William Friedkin’s ‘The Exorcist’, the second, Sam Raimi’s ‘Evil Dead’. I still remember spending several nights (after watching these movies) not being able to go to the toilet, and my bladder growing unbearably; imagining something or someone was under my bed in the dark room, waiting to catch my leg if I got down from the bed. I even imagined the hands that would have caught my leg… rough, cold, with razor sharp long nails.And today, some of the best horror movie screenwriters are available through TheScreenplayWriters.com, founded by Nick and me; and we are writing scary scenes to frighten others.Let’s find out what a horror movie screenwriter and filmmaker should keep in mind while writing a horror screenplay.Be original, do not follow clichéWhat makes good horror movies different from bad horror movies is originality. Good horror movies are based on original thoughts while bad horror movies follow cliché ideas and trends. It is easy for the horror movie screenwriter to step into the trap of following former successful horror movies. As a result we have seen several horror movies that follow the trend of Evil Dead or Friday The 13th.  As a horror screenwriter, remember that the viewers have already watched plenty of scary scenes in the past and don’t want to be bored by the same old stuff. So, by all means, avoid preparing old wine in a new bottle.Feel the deepest fearsA horror screenwriter should experience fear first hand. Unless she or he does so, the output produced will be dispassionate and done just for the sake of doing it. Try to face your deepest fears. Feel genuinely frightened. Not that you can do that on purpose, but try to remember the incidents when you felt really really scared, or came close to death. Take a walk on one of the scariest roads in town after midnight. Or take the last train in a notorious route. How did you feel? Put that down on paper.Think of 1 – 3 scenes never seen on screen beforeA horror screenplay writer has the remote control of making a movie a success or a failure. All successful horror movies had at least 1 scene that was never seen on screen before. Remember the spider walk scene of ‘The Exorcist’, the tree rape scene of ‘Evil Dead’ and the scene where the chairs are suddenly found inverted, in ‘Poltergiest’? These were scenes that were never seen before, and were implanted in the memory of the viewers for several years. Many of us saw these scenes as a child but still remember the scenes. As a horror screenplay writer you have to come up with 1 – 3 such absolutely original scary scenes, which were never before seen on screen and will leave a lasting impression in the minds of the viewers.Surprise beginning, slow buildup, high climax, scariest scenes towards the endThat is pretty much the formula of horror movies. As a horror movie screenwriter, you have to start with a surprise beginning, and then build up the first act with almost no extreme occurrences, except one or two elements of suspense and surprise speckled here and there, to keep the interest of the viewers alive. These will get more frequent in the second act, leading to a high climax, which should have the scariest scenes. Of course you can think originally and break the rule, if you want to do an original experiment with horror screenwriting.Make things appear realA majority of horror movies appear unreal. The viewers watch it, but they are never really drawn into it, as everything appears unreal. As a horror movie screenwriter, try to write your screenplay in a way that the characters, dialogs and the incidents appear as real and as life-like as possible. If you look at the movies of Manoj Night Shyamalan, his dialogs, characters and incidents appear very real. That is one of the reasons of his cusses as a horror screenwriter. For that purpose you can also check out ‘The Ring’.Do not end up appearing funnyOne of the toughest challenges of a horror screenwriter is to keep the script natural and dignified. Any overdose of anything can make your screenplay appear hilarious on screen. Often we laugh all through bad horror movies. Make sure your script will not appear funny on screen, unless your intention is to make a horror parody movie.Avoid CG and special effects for low budget horror moviesAs a horror movie screenwriter, avoid writing scenes that require the help of computer graphics (CG), special and animation.  These are great for big budget movies, and big movies will never be made without the help of these. But in low budget movies, animation, computer graphics and special effects scenes look extremely poor quality-wise, due to lack of a standard budget and hence should be avoided. An otherwise good horror movie screenplay can get spoiled by the use of poor CG and special effects. Write only scenes that can be shot without the help of CG, animation and special effects.Watch plenty of horror movies before you startNot to copy, but to tune your mind, you, as a horror screenwriter need to watch plenty of horror movies… preferably good ones, before you actually start working on your project.

By Pinaki GhoshGood news is that we at TheScreenplayWriters.com have been writing a number of animation films this month and a few more are in the pipeline. Somehow the word went around that we have specialist animation screenwriters.But how different is animation screenwriting from usual screenwriting for live action movies? Let’s check out.1. First, if you are writing the screenplay of an animation movie, in other words, if you are an animation screenwriter, you should be ideally someone who has grown up reading comicbooks and graphic novels. Writers who have vast knowledge of comicbooks and graphic novels will be better animation screenwriters than who have never really loved reading comicbooks and graphic novels.2. The animation screenwriting format is usual. Exactly similar to live action movies. You can write it using Microsoft Word, Open Office Word, Final Draft or Movie Magic Screenwriter in the usual screenplay format.3. Keep the dialogs brief and interesting. Ideally single sentences. Long, boring dialogs are usually unusual in animation screenplays.  Keep that in mind as an animation screenwriter.4. However, keep your action descriptions vivid. That is one way animation screenplays are different from normal screenplays. The animation artists should be able to understand the actions and depict them exactly. As such the animation screenwriter must pay attention in clearly describing each action. You cannot afford to cut it short here, as your vision may not reach the animation artists if your action description is too brief.5. Maintain a fast pace. Two talking heads covering 7 minutes in one location is not what animation viewers are prepared to watch. As an animation screenwriter, keep changing scenes frequently and avoid stagnation.6. Avoid overcrowding of characters in one scene unless you are specifically told to do so. Try to keep two to three characters in a majority of scenes. Only a few scenes should have a large number of characters. It is difficult and expensive to put up a scene with a large number of animated characters.7. It is a good idea to watch a number of good animation films for a week before starting to write your animation screenplay. Not to pick up ideas, but to tune your mind. It is said what we write has 10% experience and 90% inspiration in it. Good works inspire us. The one week will be a good investment to boost your inspiration.

By Pinaki Ghosh Writing a movie script? Want to know the 13 secrets to get your screenplay rejected for sure? Read on.1. Offer camera directions in your screenplayDon’t trust the intelligence of the director or cinematographer and offer camera directions in your script like, ‘pan’, ‘zoom’, ‘dolly’, ‘trolley shot’ or ‘low angle shot’. That will make your script look like one from history and is a definite way of getting it rejected.2. Offer editing directions in your screenplaySimilarly, go ahead… show a complete disregard to the editor’s intelligence and write editing instructions like ‘cut to’, ‘dissolve’, etc. and your screenplay will look like a thing of the past. In modern day screenplays editing directions are no longer in vogue. Only ‘fade in’ and ‘fade out’ are used twice or thrice in an entire screenplay.3. Do not capitalize character namesDo not capitalize the character names while writing a movie script. Leave them in lowercase text and your screenplay will be rejected for sure. Similarly, leave words that denote sound, like WHOOSH, or CLANG in lowercase, to show how little you know.4. Make your screenplay shorter than 90 pages or longer than 130 pagesWhile writing a movie script, you should definitely make it longer than 130 pages, or shorter than 90 pages to make sure your screenplay goes straight into the trash bin, because normal screenplays are 90 pages to 130 pages in length.5. Write very lengthy dialogsWriting a movie script? Love writing interesting dialogs? Then go ahead and make them lengthy. Make each dialog lengthier than 5 lines and that will ensure your screenplay is ripped and made into paper airplanes.6. Write very lengthy scenesWhile writing a movie script, make sure your scenes are lengthy enough to get the screenplay rejected. While normally scenes are less than a page in length to maximum three pages, with 5 page scenes being an exception; you should concentrate in making your scenes more than 5 pages in length… to join the rejected screenplay writers’ club.7. Write lengthy descriptionsWhile the normal length of writing a scene description is 1 to 4 lines, you should break the rule and write at least 10 line scene descriptions to be a part of the frustrated screenwriters’ league.8. Use character names that sound and spell similarMake your character names sound confusingly similar. Or make them start with the same letter, so that the viewers are thoroughly confused.9. Use character names for very minor charactersGive character names to even minor characters that appear just once and have one line dialogs, to prove you want to get your screenplay rejected. While the rule is, you should use the professions to identify minor characters, rather than names, a violation of the rule is recommended if you want to do the opposite of normal.

Eg.  POLICE OFFICER

Show me your driving license. God save you if you don’t have one.

The above is normal, if this POLICE OFFICER appears only once in the entire movie. In a good screenplay, a name like ‘HARRY’ or ‘TOM’ or ‘DICK’ would have been inappropriate for this role.10. Use wired slug lines.Scenes start with slug lines like:INT. COFFEE HOUSE – NIGHTOrEXT. BEACH – DAYWhile normal screenplay writers use only ‘day’ or ‘night’, you can be a rebel and use wired slug lines like DUSK, DAWN, SUNSET TIME, SUNRISE TIME, to stay ahead in the race of getting your screenplay rejected.11. Make a mess of the alignmentAnd finally, make a mess of the alignment. While the rule is, scene slug lines and action descriptions should be extreme left aligned, character names should be center aligned and dialogs should be left aligned, but an inch towards the right.Eg. Correct format:EXT. ROAD – DAY

POLICE OFFICER

Show me your driving license. God save you if you don’t have one.

Sees the license

POLICE OFFICER (CONT’D)

This license has expired three months ago. Please come out of the car mister.

He opens the door and COLLIN walks out of the car.Wrong format:EXT. ROAD – DAYPOLICE OFFICERShow me your driving license. God save you if you don’t have one.Sees the licensePOLICE OFFICER (CONT’D)This license has expired three months ago. Please come out of the car mister.He opens the door and COLLIN walks out of the car.12. Use plenty of mood descriptions throughout the screenplayUse of phrases in brackets like (smiles), (looks worried), (laughs out loud) with every possible dialog to prove yourself to be a complete novice. Experienced screenwriters avoid using such phrases as far as possible because these are for the director to decide. Three such uses in a complete good screenplay are allowed.13. Do not visualizeWhile writing a movie script, write it just for the sake of writing it. Do not visualize anything in your mind’s eye. Do not bother if your scenes will be picturesque or boring.And of course, do not take the help of the premier screenwriting and script consultancy service TheScreenplayWriters.com, because this team of screenwriters is so good and powerful, your screenplay will never be rejected. To make sure your screenplay is rejected, they should be strictly avoided.

From our Google Analytics data I discovered that a lot of keywords leading visitors to our site www.TheScreenplayWriters.com were related to screenplay writer rate and other keywords close to that. It suggests that a lot of people are looking for more information about how much screenplay writers charge to write a screenplay. Since screenplay writers almost always do not announce their rates in public, there is ambiguity about ‘how much does it cost to get a screenplay written’ and ‘how much do screenplay writers charge’.WGA RatesWriters Association of America (WGA), which actually are two organizations (unions to be precise), one for the West Coast and another for the East Coast have fixed some minimum and maximum rates for all writers who are their members. This is basically to ensure writers are not underpaid, and there is no unhealthy competition and undercutting of rates.The highest, the lowestRoy McCardell, probably the first screenwriter of USA sold his short screenplays for $15 each in 1900. Going by the rate of depreciation, $15 today would have been less than $350.In 2003, Manoj Night Shyamalan, the American director and screenwriter of Indian origin charged $7.5 million for writing the screenplay of ‘The Village’.Screenwriters Terry Rossio and Bill Marsilii received $5 million for the screenplay of Déjà vu in 2005, which is a record for spec screenplay rates. Spec screenplay is a screenplay which is written without a formal order, or without the writer receiving any fees for it initially. He or she writes it without being paid and then tries to sell it to a studio or filmmaker.‘Against’Often we hear terms like a screenplay writer is paid $75,000 against $150,000, which actually means, the filmmaker guarantees the screenwriter a payment of $75,000. If the film is not made, the screenplay writer does not receive anything more than $75,000. But if the movie is made and released, the screenplay writer receives $150,000, which means an additional $75,000. Interesting, isn’t it?TheScreenplayWriters.com screenplay writers’ fees: 20% - 30% less than WGA ratesSo, the big question is what is the screenwriter’s salary if you choose to order a script with TheScreenplayWriters.com? We are very democratic regarding this, and have kept into consideration the inde filmmakers and student filmmakers who are tight on budget as well as big studios and producers, who want nothing but the best. Our rates start from $3,000 and goes up to over $100,000. The rate really depends on the writer who is writing your screenplay. But we are still the most reasonably priced screenplay agency around. Our rates are at least 20% to 30% less than WGA rates and that is one of the main reasons why more and more studios and filmmakers are choosing our service. We also offer innovative cost cutting solutions like getting your screenplay written by a middle order screenplay writer and then getting it refined and polished by a top order screenwriter. The result is a world class screenplay for a rate which is almost 40% less than WGA rates.

From the recent inquiries we discovered that a lot of student filmmakers looking for screenwriters are coming to us. So we decided to set up a team of writers exclusively for the student filmmakers, who are tight on budget.We may soon have another couple of really big names joining our team of screenplay writers. But I’d prefer to remain tight lipped till that is confirmed.I believe there are a couple of fantasy film screenwriting projects in the pipeline, which I expect to come to me this September. They come from two of my old clients. The demand for fantasy screenplays are also increasing stunningly. Harry Potter effect? Maybe. One thing is sure, till this Harry Potter bubble is intact, we will remain busy. :)Since we are catering both the Hollywood and Bollywood industries and as such have a team of writers who hail from both these massive industries, I discovered some interesting differences in the ways scripts are written in Hollywood and Bollywood.One. Hollywood filmmakers do not expect, neither allow the script writer to use camera and editing directions in their screenplay. That is left for the director and editor. I agree. If the screenplay writer decides how the camera should be placed or how it should move, or how the editing should be done, why the hell are the director and the editor employed? Just to follow the instructions of the screenwriter? In the Bollywood industry however I noticed some of the directors encourage the screenplay author to use camera directions like pan, trolley, or directions about the angle, as well as editing instructions. Interesting, isn’t it?Two. Now this is an interesting difference, and Hollywood may wonder why at all it is like that in Bollywood. Bollywood, in addition to script writers employ separate dialog writers, and dialog writers are separately given credit. The screenplay writer and the dialog writer are often different persons. Of course it is not that way in Hollywood. If I try to trace the roots of this practice, it comes from the days when melodramatic movies were made in Bollywood (arguably, this practice has not entirely been discontinued). There were separate writers, besides the screenplay writers, who could empower the dialogs, add spice to the dialogs and make them powerful. I have myself seen in my childhood, people in theatres used to burst into applause and throw coins at the screen when powerful dialogs were delivered. I don’t know if coin shower happens or happened anywhere else in the world. The practice of a dialog writer still exists in Bollywood, though nowadays in a lot of movies the screenplay writer and the dialog writer are the same person. But they get paid twice for the two roles. Nice… to get paid twice for one work.

I am back, after a 3 month break from blogging. My first 2 series were on small business and cyber theft protection. You can see those blog posts if you check the older posts. I decided to start blogging again, mainly on film writing.TheScreenplayWriters.com, which was my US writer friend Nick Blake’s and my brainchild, completed little more than 20 days since launch on 31 August and has bagged a number of new projects already.  Of course the people associated with the new service are not new; I feel glad to say, each of our team members have backgrounds of huge experience.TheScreenplayWriters.com is unique and one of its type because it is the only screenplay writers’ agency to employ both Hollywood and Bollywood screenwriters.The first project that was confirmed was director Raj Rahi’s  (Jo Bole So Nihal) new English movie Angel Jay. The name of the movie may change though. The second project to roll in was from Dubai, and was about the Iraq war. The subject was challenging, and I was already wreaking my brains with Raj Rahi’s project, so my US writer friend Nick Blake volunteered to take up the Iraq movie project. When the Iraq movie project came up, Nick was on a vacation in Maine with his wife Laura and we had massive communication problems, with the mobile phone signal fading out more often than not, from Nick’s side. Nick had to come to the town library in Maine to check my mails and reply them. I hope I did not ruin Nick’s perfectly planned holiday.The next to come was a Bengali movie project, which has not been finalized yet. It was piece of cake for me, because I am a Bengali by birth. Did I forget to mention that there was a Kannada movie screenplay enquiry on the second week? Though I was not too keen to take up the project simply because I don’t know the language (but would love to), Nick however was very eager to take up the project and spent one day searching for a reliable Kannada film writer.There were a couple of very positive enquiries from Gurgaon and Bangalore. Both from first time filmmakers, whose passion is genuine. Hopefully the Bangalore project will materialize this month and the Gurgaon screenplay project will take longer.Good news is that a lot of good film writers are approaching us and we have found some really talented writers in the process. One writer I would like to mention is Shivani T, who wrote the story ‘Sex on the Beach’, one of the ten short stories of the critically acclaimed film ‘Dus Kahaniya.’

To set up the office you do not need much space. It can be at one part of your home. The basic necessities are –

1.   A computer/laptop with an internet connection.

2.    A telephone.
3.    A table with notebooks and pen (and other necessary stationary).
4.    A ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ board for your family.
5.    Enough space to store your products.

DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK QUESTIONS & TO CLEAR DOUBTS.

My first office was my home. My son Rishav would play around me and I would give him company or tell him stories during breaks. Now after many years I have 3 offices in Kolkata and Mumbai with one more opening up in New York within months.

My offices are furnished and well equipped like any regular office. Only difference is that there is no boss over me.

Now get going on your own business

•    Give out your business card to ten new people everyday.
•    Ask prospective clients if they can spare some time for you.
•    Learn about and use your own products.
•    Learn more everyday.
•    Be positive and enthusiastic about your own business all the time.
•    Talk about your product and your business

•    Make phone calls everyday.

•    NEVER GIVE UP

Ask yourself

Wake up every morning. Think of the bright future ahead. And ask yourself –

• Am I going to get more disciplined?
• Am I putting effort to learn more?
• What do I need to change in myself?
• How do I gather more knowledge?
• What do I need to do to be a leader?
• Do I need to change my life and be richer?

YES. YES. And Yes. You are the boss. Have a great career ahead! Wish you all the best.

By Pinaki Ghosh

No one can actually give you 100% protection for your computer. But the least that you can do is get a firewall which can help you and protect your very important data. Regular updates on your PC can also help in maintaining. The antivirus software’s too having some subscription formalities which one would have to fulfill.

It’s the best that you take enough protection at first, even before your PC encounters any virus problem. 

There are a few basic steps that one can follow to keep away from the Virus attack:

• Using the Internet Firewall can be of much help.
• In case you subscribe to any of the main programs, you can get some automatic updates.
• Do not open any email attachments which you receive from unknown senders.
• Even though you receive a mail from someone you know make sure you know what the attachment is. Sometimes the person sending you the mail too may be unaware of the virus that he might be spreading.
Antivirus
Commercial Antivirus
  avast! http://www.avast.com/
  AVG Anti-Virus http://www.grisoft.com/
  F-Prot  http://f-prot.com/
  F-Secure http://www.f-secure.com/
  LinuxShield  http://www.mcafee.com/us/enterprise/products/anti_virus/file_servers_desktops/linuxshield.html
  McAfee VirusScan  http://us.mcafee.com/root/package.asp?pkgid=276&cid=25655
  Norton AntiVirus http://shop.symantecstore.com/store/symnahho/en_US/ContentTheme/ThemeID.504200/pbPage.NAVstatic/pgm.11227100 
  Panda Antivirus http://www.pandasoftware.com/
  PC-cillin  http://us.trendmicro.com/us/home/
  Windows Live OneCare http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-us/default.htm
  ZoneAlarm AntiVirus http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/home.jsp 
  BullGuard http://www.bullguard.com/

Free antivirus software
  AOL Active Virus Shield http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp? 
  AVG Anti-Virus Free http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
  avast! Home http://www.avast.com/
  BitDefender 8 Free Edition http://www.bitdefender.com.sg/
  Comodo AntiVirus http://www.comodo.com/
  Clam AntiVirus http://www.clamav.net/
  OpenAntiVirus http://www.openantivirus.org/
  Winpooch http://sourceforge.net/projects/winpooch/

                             By Pinaki Ghosh

 More and more anti-viruses have been developed to fight against the attacks that are made by the viruses on the systems. The developers work on software’s that can be used but no anti virus can guarantee a 100% protection from the web viruses. One may state the most common viruses but, the list keeps changing.

One cannot present a unified list of viruses as they are very difficult to state. As soon as a new virus is born, there is a sudden haste to identify it and name it, and also to understand it. Therefore, after a little research and understanding the behavior of the virus a quick name is added to the virus. Most of the anti viruses work upon their instant reaction when a new virus is detected. Thus, they end up studying and naming the virus individually. Till the time they come on any conclusion, there are a lot of names that are called on for the virus.
You won’t be surprised to know that sometimes the old viruses are initially detected as a new virus. This may happen due to the variable behavior. To give you an example: the variation between the Sobig worm which was earlier known as the Palyh but again went on to being called the Sobig. Thus, if you see, it all depends on how much time it takes, and at the end the old name persists.

From the Numeric computer viruses, 4K or better known as 4096 – MS DOS, it is the first virus to use sleath, but nobody can assume the origin place of this virus. Also the isolation date of the 4K is in the month of January 1990. The other virus from the numeric category is the 5lo –MS DOS type which again had an unknown author and it infects the EXE files. It had its isolation date in the month of October in the year 1992.

The other viruses that have been in the news are:
The Elk Cloner which was the Apple II type and it was the first virus that has been observed in the wild. The Lamer Exterminator, which is the Amiga, Boot sector virus, originated in Germany dated October 1989. The Random encryption fills random sector with “Lamer” notes are the signs. The Scores virus, which had its isolation date in the 1988 spring, was designed to charge on two of the specific applications which ultimately never release. It was also known as the Eric, Vult, NASA or the San Jose Flu.

By Pinaki Ghosh

Viruses destroy your computers hard drive by surfing the Net too at times. The viruses can get into your data through the come through the Temporary Internet Files which can be threatening.

Websites are not safe in this context. You must give proper attention while searching through the major search engines. Google may be safe, but you really cannot trust the other sites. Sometimes the websites are safe, but there are cases that the viruses spread through the websites.
You must be extremely cautious while browsing through any of the sites dealing with sex or maybe drugs. If one may observe, the hackers love placing viruses in every possible way. Sites dealing with sex and pornographic material have more possibility of spreading the viruses.
You must take care while browsing through the search engines, and also the URL’s as unknowingly you might be attacked by the virus.

By Pinaki Ghosh

Spam mails or the mails that one receives from the unknown people are known as the most unwanted, unsolicited messages that are directly sent to your Mail Box. Its nothing but Junk mail!
These emails can contain anything from promotions to attachments on the latest movies etc. But you would never know when the attachments may contain Viruses. This can severely damage your computer. It may directly ruin your saved data directly. Thus, open such unsolicited mails would be of a great risk. 
You cannot control the spam mails, but you can definitely limit them and also delete them once you do receive them. Usually one does not know much about the Viruses as the work without the user having any knowledge. By reading a plain text Email one does not have chance of getting the virus. But if in case you see and codes or attachments like the JavaScript and the HTML message then one must avoid working it out, as this maybe a virus. You must execute proper codes to get it working. Mostly these problems can arise if you insert corrupt floppies too.

By Pinaki Ghosh 

The viruses are mainly activated to destroy the computer by actually damaging the programs or by deleting the files, or the reformatting of the main hard disk. People mainly create much type of viruses to work against the other agents and in turn severely damage your files! There are viruses programmed in a way to actually reformat the hard disk, which in turn means losing out on much of the information that one stores on his PC. At the same time, there are viruses which do not get any severe damage done to the computer, but are present in the files. Thus, they appear randomly and can also be present in the outgoing mails.
The viruses in the computers are programs which are developed in a way that they spread from one computer to another and sometimes completely crash your system!
Not only does a virus corrupt your saved data, but at times it deletes the entire data on the system. It deletes everything that is stored on your hard disk. Mostly the attachments in the emails and the on the instant messages actually spread the viruses. Hence, this is why one is advised not to download the attachments which are sent through unknown email ids. These viruses can be even the images or the cards. Also, sometimes they are the audio or the video clips.

Downloads can also pose as a medium for the viruses to spread. Most of the time, you do not know the virus that you may be downloading and through which software! It’s extremely essential that you get yourself a tool like the antivirus tools and upgrade your computer before it does any harm to your PC. You must take proper care while downloading any sort of software directly, even before scanning the attachment. Once your PC is affected, it’s difficult to retrieve all the information that has been stored.
The viruses are further on divided into two types of viruses mainly the Resident Virus and the Non Resident Virus. 

To get a brief overview on the Resident Virus and the Non Resident Virus you can go through the following:

The Resident Viruses:

The Resident viruses have a certain imitation unit which is just like to the one that works along the nonresident viruses. The effect is seen when it is executed.

The resident viruses are further broken down into the fats infectors and the slow infectors. The fast infectors are designed in a way that they affect a lot of the files in one go. They can log on to the host file whenever they would want. But in this case, it poses a threat to the anti virus that has been installed. And if in case the virus scanner does not hold the ability to get hold on the virus, this virus can keep its hold over the PC and infect all the files which are stored on the disk. The infectors certainly depend on the infection rate which should be spread. But in this case, it slows down the PC and can also be noticed by the anti virus that is installed in the PC.

The slow infectors on the other hand are especially designed to act as a slow poison for the host files. Most of the slow infectors infect files only when they are xeroxed. Normally they do not slow down the computer, and the anti virus is on an alert whenever there is any not so favorable act that goes on.

The Non Resident Viruses:
The Non- Resident Viruses are categorized as the Finder Module and a Replication Module. The Finder Module is mostly held up in finding the new files which can be infected. For most of the new executable folders and files which is called as the replication module which is used to infect that file.
Most of the Replicators main work focuses on:
1. You need to check the executable file which has been already infected with a virus.
2. The executable file must be appended with the Virus Code.
3. The starting point must be saved.
4. You must also save the changes to the executable file.
5. Close the file that has been infected.
There are many more areas that the Replicator would want to focus on.

By Pinaki Ghosh

Blocking spy ware is a tough job. None of the viruses can be blocked completely. To give you a detailed version:

If one may observe due to the internet, the computers are constantly attacked with the viruses. This is why, the companies and the users have the special anti-viruses to protect themselves from such viruses which can destroy the computers and delete the data. The inbox too is almost flooded by the spam and the other such useless mails which pose a threat to the computer. Once downloaded, if in case the computer is not protected, it can ruin your entire saved memory on the computer. Thus this will result in the computer break down.
The spyware and the adware software’s simply supervise and track down your sites (the ones that you have recently visited) so that you have a record of the sites that you have visited on the web.
To protect one from the unwanted but at the same time unavoidable little programs, you can just follow a little procedure. Sometimes, the spyware and the adware which are free at times turn out to be extremely useless.
Be Careful Where You Download:
The first basic part is that one must ask for a EULA. That is the End User License Agreement. Nobody goes out to read the entire terms and conditions in the box, and instead of clicking on the “No” tab, one goes one to click on the “Yes” Tab. This after not reading a word of the terms and conditions that are stated. Thus, it’s always better to click on a No, than clicking on the Yes button and facing a lot of nuisance.
The best would be that you read the entire terms, before you click on the text. Like the EULA, most of the users think of it as nothing but nuisance. The box works on a click and the once you do, it gets activated. The questions like, ‘would you want to install the spyware program?’ you are given the options like ‘yes’ and ‘no’. If you want to stop, just close the box, or cancel.
Try protecting your system with the help of the antivirus. Now days you may see that the antivirus come under various names. They are under the small parts or codes which help protect your computers. Mostly, the Trojans and the jokes, games and also the Spyware and the Adwares are free to download.  If at all the product does not show off the spyware or any of the products you must recheck your antivirus.
 
Try and scan your system:
Sometimes the antivirus software, and most of the other software that you think would work for you may eventually work miracles for you or at the other times, it might not work for you too. If you can actually download the Adaware Pro, Lavasoft, you can even try out their free trail versions.  It will scan your computer but at the same time manually work on finding out the viruses and the spy wares. Once you try and work on this system, you’re sure to have a system that is full protected and virus free! All the best!

 By Pinaki Ghosh

If you want to completely eradicate the Trojan horse there are a lot of methods that you may use. But none of them are perfect in any sense. You must study and understand them thoroughly before you actually take decision.

 Here are a few points that you can implement as well as understand:

1. Clean Re-installation:
It does look like a difficult operation, but at the same time it is one of the best and easiest ways to clean up the Trojan or any virus. Get a back up for the information that you’ve stored and the reformat your computer. You may re install all the operating system once you’re done. Save it on your CD’s or on the drives. But make sure your taking a back up or you’ll end up losing the information. Get a professional to get your PC cleaned up.

2. Anti-Virus Software:
Most of the software’s can easily manage the Trojan viruses. But none of the anti- virus is capable and can give a 100% guarantee. You must the updated files of all the programs that are on your computer. If one compares it to the olden day viruses, nowadays the Trojans are faster and very hard to detect.   There are a lot of products from which one can make a choice. The McAfee and PC-cillin are just a few examples which can be helpful. At times, you can immediately download the 30 day trial version.

 3. Anti-Trojan Programs:
The Anti Trojan Programs are made specially to deal only with the Trojan Virus. Thus, they have a good time working against the Trojan Horses than any other general virus. One of the most wanted programs has been the cleaner,   which is commercial software which has a free trail round for 30 days.      

By Pinaki Ghosh

To describe Spyware, it is computer software which if installed on your PC which restricts your interaction thus helping you keep the Computer safe! As the Spyware software developed, this industry has come up rapidly. Also, in response to the same, the anti- Spyware companies have sprung up in action. In order to keep your computers secure, the anti spy ware software’s are extremely necessary. A number of laws have been passed to target the software which almost controls the user’s functions on his computer.
To understand the functions and know more about the spyware you can log on to http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles/spyware/ .
The spy ware program is often accompanied with many more components. The system often has a slow and degraded performance. It takes up most of the Disk place and also has a lot of significant CPU activity which in turn breaks down the computer and slows it.  The system crashes are a common site in such cases. Logging on to the net becomes extremely difficult when the Spyware mingles with the networking software.
Spy Ware is also called as the “data miner”.
To elaborate on adware, it means the advertisements or the banners which are displayed but this happens without the consent of the user. Just like the Viruses or the other worms that affect the computers, the spyware does not do so. Just for the commercial use the spyware manipulates the computers that are infected just for the increase in the commercial gain. Not necessarily does it spread like the other viruses, like the infected systems and again transmits the same to the other computers.
Spyware gets on a system and also the lack in the functioning of the proper software’s.

Normally the infected system does not spread from one computer to the other. Spyware comes wrapped up with the software’s that can be downloaded. The downloadable software’s also the music CD’s.  Not necessarily does the software do any harm. In any case, the people manufacturing and working on the packaging this software’s add spyware. Spyware or adware are the software which are secretly planted the system by some websites. The promoters and the marketers are even keener on supervising the online etiquettes. It would also want to reveal the web sites that one would want to visit. Most of the advertisers are keen to know more about what is being done by you on the net.
Log on to www.spyware.com to get your spy ware!

One of the subtypes of the spy ware is the surveillance spy ware. It’s specially developed to go through a person’s doings, and all this happens without the person knowing. Although the origin is unknown, the software and hardware is being developed by the day.
The software which is installed can actually track the keystrokes and at the same time save the chat and also the matter in the mails. At regular intervals there are screenshots that are taken on the computer monitor. The passwords which are stolen from one computer can be tracked down with the help of this spyware.

The hardware that is attached to the keyboard and the computer records and saves the buttons punched in and used on the PC. To be frank, this is an amazing way to steal the important information like passwords from one computer and never be caught by even a software anti spyware!
Minute cameras and the mikes that cannot be easily seen or spotted can be fixed in the cars of the rooms.
 

By Pinaki Ghosh

(This is a part of the series of mails which tried to steal personal details from the recipients)

Netherlands Lottery Scam
CONTACT: LEONALD GODFFERY
FROM THE DESK OF THE LOTTERY COORDINATOR,
THE NETHERLANDS STAATSLOTERIJ
THE NETHERLANDS
www.staatsloterij.nl

NATIONAL E-MAIL LOTTO PRIZE AWARD.

Dear Sir/ Madam

We are pleased to announce you as one of the lucky winners in the StaaatsLoterij E-mail Lottery draw held today the 11th of October 2006.All winning E-mail addresses were randomly selected from a batch of 100,000,000 international Emails from Internet Service Provider Companies. Your E-mail address emerged as a category “A” winner in this year’s Lotto Draw.

Consequently, you have therefore been approved for a total pay out of Nine Hundred Thousand, One Hundred and Eighty Three Euros only (900,183.00 Euros). In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote your reference number, batch numbers, and winning numbers in all correspondence with your claims officer.

1. BATCH: 007/48SL/847/970
2.The file Ref number: BSO61/94756/001
3.Winning Number: 003/67590/SL048

Please contact the under listed claims officer via this E-mail below as soon as possible for the immediate release of your winnings:
MR LEONALD GODFFERY
(CLAIMS OFFICER)
DE NEDERLANDSE STAATSLOTERIJ
TEL: ++31-616-557-921
Email: statslottooffice@aim.com
Please kindly fill in the attached form below for the immediate process of your winning prize.

1. FULL NAME
2. TELEPHONE
3. NATIONALITY
4. OCCUPATION
5. AGE/SEX
6. WINNING E-MAIL ADDRESS
7.WINNING NUMBER
8. TOTAL AMOUNT WON
9.MARITAL STATUS
10.CONTACT ADDRESS
11. BATCH
12. THE FILE REFERENCE NUMBER
Please note, in order to avoid unnecessary delays, please remember to quote your reference number, batch numbers, and winning number in all correspondence. Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform the Claims Officer as soon as possible as he is responsible for the processing of your approved file for payment. Congratulations once again on behalf of all our staff.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Yours Faithfully
MRS JENET COX
(Lottery Co-ordinator)

Please make sure you keep your winning confidential till you have received your payment. This is to avoid double claims. Do not contact this office as your correspondence should be addressed to your claims officer above MR LEONALD GODFFERY.
NB: In accordance with the DE NEDERLANDSE STAATSLOTERIJ policy and regulations, this notification is dispatched directly to only the 45 lucky consultation prize Winners. This notification also contains information that is proprietary, privileged or confidential or otherwise legally exempt from disclosure. If you are not the right recipient whose email address attached to the lucky numbers along with the winning information’s you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this notice or any part of it.

By Pinaki Ghosh 

(This is a part of the series of mails which tried to steal personal details from the recipients) 

From: Mr. David Nkolo
Box 1287 Port Shepstone
Chaka -South Africa.
Hello,
My name is Mr. David Nkolo and I work in the International operation department in a Local Bank here in South Africa. On a routine inspection I discovered a dormant domiciliary account with a BAL of (fifty Six Million USD) on further discreet investigation, I also discovered that the account holder has long since passed away (dead) leaving no beneficiary to the account. The bank will approve this money to any foreigner because the former operator of the a/c is a foreigner and from Iraq in particular and I am certainly sure that he is dead, and nobody will come again for the claim of this money, A foreigner can only claim this money with legal claims to the account Holder; therefore I need your cooperation in this transaction. I will provide the necessary information needed in order to claim this money, But you will need to open an account where this can be transferred. If you are interested send your private Telephone No. And Fax number including full details of the account to be used for the Deposit. I wish for outmost confidentiality in handling this transaction as my job and the future of my family would be jeopardized if it were breached.
The amount involved is (USD 56M) Fifty Six million United States Dollars, I only want to first transfer $36,000.000[Thirty Six million United States Dollar from this money into a safe foreigners account abroad before the rest. I want to assure you that the transaction is without risk if due process is followed accordingly. However, I got your contact address from my secretary who does not know the need for it. Finally, I will give you 35% for your corporation 5% for the expenses. I look forward to a favorable response from you.
Yours Faithfully,
Mr David Nkolo
N.B. I need your phone and fax numbers for easy communications.

By Pinaki Ghosh

(This is a part of the series of mails which tried to steal personal details from the recipients) 

account holder with no kin has died, leaving millions in his account
From: Mbeki Sisulu
Address: Johannesburg-South Africa.
Email:mbekisisulu@myway.com
Dear Friend,
In our search for a trustworthy individual to work with us on a very important and confidential project, we came across your esteemed profile through our Chambers of Commerce and Industries. My name is Mr. Mbeki Sisulu, a principal executive officer in the audit department of the Peoples Bank (PBSA) here in South Africa. During they early preliminary in-house auditing of accounts, I discovered an account opened by one of our late clients in 1995 and since 2000 has remained dormant which means that nobody has been operating it up till date. The total amount in this account is $15,500,000.00 Million less accrued interest. Working together with the audit manager; we decided to investigate this account for more information. We discovered that the owner of this account, a foreigner has died inter-state leaving no heirs or next of kin who could make a claim.
Presently, we are the only two people in our organization with access to this information and we have decided to keep it that way and claim the money using you as a (third party) to take the place of the deceased (next of kin). We will supply the necessary information on the deceased and ensure that the claim application is giving immediate approval. Documents like the death certificate will be arranged and forwarded to you for onward submission to the bank.
The project is risk-free as we will use contacts that hold strategic positions in the bank to effect a successful completion of the project and also ensure that all traces of our mutual involvement are completely wiped off. These presents no problem as all documented evidence will be directly under their supervision.
I have the authority of my partners to propose the following: SHOULD YOU BE WILLING to assist us in this transaction, your share of the sum will be 25% of the total sum, 70% for us and 5% for reimbursable expenses (taxation and miscellaneous Expenses incurred.) This is after all expenses have been refunded and taxes have been paid. The transaction itself is 100%-SAFE for all involved.
This is possible if on your part you treat it as confidential and with the utmost secrecy it deserves. Please note that your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction. Hope that you will not disappoint us. We would like to get your decision to this proposal as soon as possible. On receipt of your decision, we will fax or email you explicit details of the already completed ground work on this project. You can contact me at all times via the above email for further explanation.
Best Regards,
Mbeki Sisulu.

(This is a part of the series of mails which tried to steal personal details from the recipients)

By Pinaki Ghosh 

Dear GM Card member,

We value your trust, and we understand that handling your financial information with care is our most important responsibility. So, only those who provide the products or services you might need are authorized to have access to your financial information. We have a strict code of ethics for all associates that require confidential treatment of your information. Any associates with access to information must complete privacy and information security awareness training annually. HSBC Bank also maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect against unauthorized access to customer information.
We operate under a detailed, rigorous information security policy designed to protect the security and confidentiality of your information. The information security program is also subject to ongoing regulatory oversight and examination. In compliance with the program we are performing a regular update on every account enrolled with us to eliminate
The possibility of money-laundering through one-day accounts is more. In order to confirm your account and to preserve the account stability, you are required to login to your account using the following link below:
https://www.householdaccount.com/gm/CustomerCare?cmd_DisplayLogin
Providing you with the state-of-the-art and most convenient services is one of our most important responsibilities.
However, in case your account is not registered in the Form before 30.08.06, it will be automatically suspended for further in-depth check. This procedure is valid both for individual and corporate clients. This procedure is performed one time only and it does not require further actions on the customer side.
Sorry for the inconveniences caused by this message.
Looking forward to your understanding and full support.
Sincerely,
Card member Services
HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A.

Continued from my previous post (below)

By Pinaki Ghosh
PayPal Scam 2

Dear valued PayPal member:
We regret to inform you that your account has been suspended.
As a result, your access on PayPal has been restricted. To start using fully your PayPal account, please update and verify your information by responding this notification. If you could please take 5-10 minutes out of your online experience and update your personal records you will not run into any future problems with the online service.
Please update your records on or before July 28, 2006. Once you have updated your account records, your PayPal session will not be interrupted and will continue as normal.
To update your PayPal records click on the following link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_login-run
Thank You.
PayPal - UPDATE TEAM

PayPal Scam 3

Dear users of PayPal services,
Due to upcoming year 2006, and recent changes in Pay Pal’s Service Agreement you need to submit additional details on your PayPal account. Starting from 2006 all PayPal accounts will come with complete detailed information! Identity protection matters. And PayPal works day and night to help keep your identity safe.
According the new changes in Service Agreement any unverified account will be deleted from the system in 72 hours after receiving this letter.

By Pinaki Ghosh

In this section I am producing some of the legendary Phishing mails, exactly as they came, to make you aware of the nature of Phishing mails and as such, alter you. Here is a phishing mail in the unchanged form, claiming to be from PayPal.

Pay Pal Scam 1: Updating Records

Dear Valued PayPal Member,
During our timely schedule account maintenance and verification unfortunately we have detected a slight error in your billing information on one of the files with PayPal.
Such things might occur due to the following problems:
- Any recent changes in your personal information like the change of address
- Our inability to verify the option of payment that you have selected which may be because of an internal error within our processors.
Therefore your account has been temporarily suspended. We need you to confirm your identity so that you can regain full privileges of your account.
However, the failure to update your records will result in account suspension.
In case it is not completed by July 20, 2007, we would reserve the right to terminate all privileges of your account indefinitely, as it may have been used for fraudulent purposes.
We thank you for your cooperation in this manner.To confirm your identity please follow the link below:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_login-run
Thank you for your patience in this matter.
PayPal - Customer Service
Please do not reply to this e-mail as this is only a notification. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered.

Pinaki Ghosh

Misspelled URLs

This is an old and common trick which is used for phishing till recently and that is of the misspelled URL names. The names of the reputed URLs that are used with a slight difference of spelling, like the www.mybankk.com or by merely adding an extra word, like ‘online’ like the www.mybankonline.com, or at times by just using a sub domain name like the www.mybank.com.name.com; or www.mybank.com@name.host.com. To understand it better, here’s an example: It will fool someone to believe that the letter has been generated by mybank, but in reality it’s more of a username in an URL, like www.name.host.com. Till recently the IE and the also Firefox have not been allowing these tricks.

Floating window Java Script

Another trick that works and is used extensively by the phishers is the floating window Java Script. It uses a Java Script program to show away the actual URL name from the address window, and cover it with the image of a fake one. Hence you see sometimes that what we put our trust in as a real site, maybe jus a spoof.

Stolen identity

Your identity definitely is used by someone else someone else in turn poses as you, and goes about doing criminal activities, and ultimately you are blamed for the same. Stolen Identity is a serious threat to your financially!

Safety holes in browsers

The browsers like the IE (Internet Explorer) too have been cheated by the phishers, by taking the help of the safety holes. The MS security update is a must in your computer, as you can easily fall prey to fake sites, similar sites and which may that result from the browser safety holes.

Pinaki Ghosh

IBM FairUCE, www.ibm.com, free to download

The new and improved IBM Internet Technology Group has now successfully introduced the latest Spam filter which prevents the spam from reaching the recipients inbox by first verifying the identity of the person sending the mail, and hence stops the content filter arms race. One of the most awaited program to fight the spammers by just reverting the spam with accuracy. Hence, it’s the best no doubts about that! But IBM also lacks from giving a satisfactory answer for a common question! What if it ends up bouncing back the valid emails? Present version is 1.0. Platform—Java, Linux.

SpamItBack, www.spamitback.com, free to download, $29.95 for Bonus Version
The Spam-it-back claims that they have created this pack only for free distribution, as they are a group of good programmers who are bugged with spamming and want to take charge of the spammers and teach them a lesson. By using their program, you can by your self create a message that you would want to convey to the spammers. This software would also allow you to mainly focus at the spammers’ websites, the online ordering forms, or any personal spam e-mail addresses that have been discovered, with your message, and makes sure it gets delivered. You can get the message delivered any number of times. You can also make the message as large as you want, 1KB, 10KB, and 100KB. Present version is 1.0 (stable) Platform-Java, Linux.

By Pinaki Ghosh 
According to Peter Hildreth, New Hampshire’s Director of Securities Regulation and President of NASAA, “Today we have an ideal climate for fraud! Millions of new investors, many of whom expect unrealistically high returns, are looking for places to put their money. At the same time we’re living through an Internet-driven technology revolution that is a boon to investors and con artists alike.”
Eric Clark, the Secretary of State, Mississippi, has made a report on the top ten online investment scams in order to caution the internet users from the happenings.
According to Clark, “Securities fraud costs Americans billions of dollars each year; I know Mississippians just like me are investing for their retirement or their children’s education. But all of us need to be careful and watch out for these scams.”
The list has been worked upon by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA).
The following is a list of the most spoken about Top Ten Scams, ranked in an order of seriousness or prevalence:
1) Internet fraud:
The scamsters or the frauds that log on to the web to “pump and dump” small stocks, peddle bogus offshore “prime bank” notes and perpetrate fraudulent pyramid schemes comprises of the first internet scam. Most of the states have certain programs that supervise the web for such fraud and conduct Internet “Surf Days.” The web world is like a city with good people and also bad people, and the people wanting to invest need to be a little extra careful about taking the advice from the people they do not know. Do not invest on the basis of a “tip” on the web without indulging in any independent research. You might not have the slightest hint about who’s offering you the not wanted help.

2) Investment seminars:
The people who invest must know about the seminars that are very costly and where the self proclaimed gurus imply that you can quickly get rich!
By luck, some people do tend to get rich. But if one may observe usually they’re the ones taking the seminars, making the money from the admission fees, and selling their books and audiotapes. An Idea that works to promote oneself! The seminars that are marketed through the media such as the newspapers, radios and TV ads and “infomercials” on cable television too have the capability to get some people in their favor. Just recently the promoters have started their own colloquium and tutorials that promise to turn the investors into a successful stock “day traders.” The day trading, more similar to gambling than investing, is inappropriate for the vast majority of investors.
3) Affinity group fraud:
The people from the closely knit religious, political or ethnic groups are often the target here. The frauds from the same religion, ethnicity or political orientation target them. The crooks that seek to misuse the natural trust of the common people like us. The targeted media advertising is used to recognize the people who can be easily fooled. Most often this works with the offers of employment or mere financial advice. To explain better take an example of the California’s Asian communities that have been wronged by scammers luring them in the foreign exchange investments which are bogus. Most typically the promoters steal the money and absolutely no reserves are made.
4) Abusive sales practices:
The entire State and other securities regulators have been working on and also report progress in the fight against “microcap” stock fraud by suspending, barring and criminally prosecuting brokers who specialize in the manipulation of low-priced securities. But none the less the investors need to be on a constant vigil and should hang up on cold callers.
5) Telemarketing fraud:
The new “boiler rooms” or the high-pressure telephone sales operations are unlocked most of the time, and they sell the illegal or the fraudulent investments. The advertisers try to make the most out of the headlines—from the fears over the Year 2000 problem to the Asian currency crisis or breakthroughs in computers or biotechnology. In one way the weak investors can try and protect themselves by using their telephone answering machine to screen their calls and not even answer solicitations by the much irritating salespeople.
6) Promissory notes:
The growing area of fraud and the notes that are supposedly “insured” and backed by real assets are better known as the promissory notes. In fact, they are backed only by often worthless promises to repay. They tend to give you the high interest rates also to the investors who may be trying hard to get the income from the money market funds or also the certificates of deposits. The investments are sold by the life insurance agents that are lured by the high commissions, and most of the times even they know nothing about the promoters also of the savings beyond what they have been told. Sometimes, the agents do not know much about what has been licensed as the security brokers with the state securities regulators to sell these notes. In most of the cases, the notes must be recorded with the regulators. The multi-state investigations which also have been exposed to a number of the promoters of these notes state that there have had problems with the regulators of the past. Most notes that are questioned are on the behalf of companies which do not even exist. In any case if the companies are legal, investors should realize that the reason these notes are being offered directly to small investors is because banks and venture capitalists have refused to invest in the companies.
7) Viatical investment scams:
The most wanted and the hottest new investment product and at the same time extremely risky, “viatical contracts” are usually the interests in the death benefits of terminally ill patients such as AIDS and cancer victims. The patient who is insured gets a percentage of the death benefit in cash, supposedly to improve the quality of their lives in the last days. The investors get a part of the entire amount of the death benefit when the insured succumbs into his ailment; this is only once a fee is paid off to the viatical investment broker. Because of such reservations in stating as a terminally ill person would die, these investments must be considered extremely exclusive.
8) Entertainment fraud:
The con artists or the frauds zero down on the investors hoping to hit it on a big by purchasing a piece of the next big ship like “Titanic.” Leaving aside the movies and investment vehicles include the cable television shows, video games and other such entertainment products.
9) Ponzi/pyramid schemes:
Almost always in style, these cheat by promise on high rates of return to the investors, but the only people making a profit are the advertisers which send them in motion, at the expense and out of funds from later investors, and those who end up losing their money when the house of cards inevitably caves in.
Illegal franchise offerings:
The State that has now taken the strict action relating to the inadequate information and fraud involving franchise investments, often marketed at business opportunity and franchise trade shows where promoters target people attracted by the prospect of owning their own business.

Today’s post continues from where I left yesterday

Pinaki Ghosh 

The Bait:
The report that you’ve been “pre-qualified” to receive something like a low-interest loan or credit card, or repair your bad credit even though banks have turned you down is the ultimate bait here. To take the benefit of this, you must first be ready to shell up a processing fee which may be of some several hundred dollars.
The Take:
A lawful and pre-qualified take also means you’ve been given the chance to apply. Firstly you must try and complete a form which can still be turned down just in case. If you have paid a fee in advance for the promise of a loan or credit card, you’ve been hustled. There may be a list of lenders, but there’s no loan, and the person you’ve paid has swiped off your money and run away.
Your Safety Net:
If in case you think it’s just a promise with no legal documents, do not pay! The legal lenders never base their cards on “guarantee” or talk about loans before you even apply. It may require that you pay for the application, appraisal, or credit report fees, but these fees rarely are required before the person who is lending is identified and the terms and conditions are completed. The plus is that the fees which are generally paid to the lender and not to the middle man who arranged the much “guaranteed” loan.
You can forward unsolicited email containing credit offers to spam@uce.gov.
 

Debt Relief
The Bait:
This is when the mails advertise themselves in a way that one can combine their bills into their monthly payment without even borrowing; or the stop credit harassments, foreclosures, repossessions, tax levies and garnishments; or pay off your credits.
The Take:
The offers, often involve a lot of bankruptcy proceedings, but rarely say so. The reason being, that it has a negative and at the same time a long term impact on your creditworthiness. A bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years, and can hinder your ability to get credit, a job, insurance, or even a place to live. To top it off, you will likely be responsible for attorneys’ fees for bankruptcy proceedings.

Your Safety Net:
Try getting the main idea from the mails. Before actually resorting to the bankruptcy, get into a conversation with your creditors about arranging a modified payment plan, contact a credit counseling service to help you develop a debt repayment plan, or carefully consider a second mortgage or home equity line of credit. But you must take care that while a home loan may allow you to combine your debts, it may also require your home as security. And just in case you do not make your payments, you could unfortunately lose your home.
You can forward debt relief offers to spam@uce.gov.
 

Investment Schemes
The Bait:
The mails which promise one the “investments” and the high rates of return with little or no risk are the bait here. In one way it seeks the investors to form an offshore bank. In another way it is absolutely vague about the nature of the investment, and also the stress in the rates of return. The promoter’s sometimes publicize the high-level financial connections; and also the fact that they’re privy to information from within the body; also that they’ll give a guarantee on the investment; or again that they’ll buy it back. To stop the deal, they would often serve up phony statistics, and then misrepresent the significance of a current event, or stress the unique quality of their offerings.

The Take:
Most of the unsolicited plans are often a good investment for the advertisers, but not so for the ones taking part. Promoters of fraudulent investments operate a particular scam for a short time, close down before they can be detected, and quickly spend the money they take in. Here, they might open an account in a new name, and also by selling another  

Investment scam.
Your Safety Net:
Take as much time in understanding the offer as the higher the promised return then the higher is the risk. Do not let an advertiser put you under pressure into committing an investment before you are sure that it’s legal.
To understand and sign up for any investment offer, get yourself an attorney or an accountant who can help you understand.
In case of any scam spam, forward it with investment-related schemes to spam@uce.gov.

By Pinaki Ghosh

Work-at-Home Scams
The Bait:
What works here are the advertisements which lure the audience with the steady income in turn of minimal labor — in the medical claims processing, envelope-stuffing, craft assembly work, or other jobs. The ads here use some one liner like: Fast cash, minimal work, no risk and also the advantage of working from home when it’s convenient for you.
The Take:
The amount of time or the hours are not mentioned but only the nature of the work to be done. After you put in your individual time and money, soon after you’re most likely to find your promoters who in turn refuse to pay you, claiming that your work isn’t up to their quality standards.
Your Safety Net:
Whenever you commit any money to anyone, try and find out the nature of the work that you will have to fulfill, or whether you will be paid a salary or work on commission, or also who will pay you, when you will get your first paycheck, the total cost of the program — including supplies, equipment and membership fees — and what you will get for your money. Try getting some advice from a professional lawyer, an accountant, a financial advisor, or another expert if you need it, and check out the company with your local consumer protection agency, not only where the company is located, but also where you live.
You can forward work-at-home scams to spam@uce.gov

Weight Loss Claims
The Bait:
These Weight Loss Claims commit a revolutionary pill, patch, cream, or other product that will result in weight loss without diet or exercise. These products lure and block the absorption of fat, carbs, or calories; others guarantee permanent weight loss; and at the same time suggest that one would lose lots of weight at a lightening speed.
The Take:
These are nothing but ideas that indirectly take over your senses. An immediate hope takes place in a persons mind. Nobody thinks that there’s nothing that is present via email which can be worn or applied to ones skin which can cause any kind of weight loss.
Your Safety Net:
The experts also know for a fact that the most reliable way to cut the fat is to munch on a fewer calories and also gain any kind of physical activity so that you are capable to burn more energy.
To set a goal to lose about a pound in a week is achievable. Most of us, which means that one, have to cut about 500 calories in just a day, by eating a variety of nutritious foods, and exercising regularly. As the lifestyle changes, the weight loss is expected. You can have a conversation with your health care provider about some nutrition and exercise plan which can suit your lifestyle and metabolism.
You can forward your weight loss emails to spam@uce.gov.
Cure-All Products
The Bait:
The mails which actually try to prove that a product is a “miracle cure,” a “scientific breakthrough,” an “ancient remedy” — or an instant quick and effective remedy for a large number of ailments or diseases. These normally announce the very short accessibility, and also require a payment which has to be cleared off in advance, and that also offers a no-risk “money-back guarantee.” The case histories or testimonials by some vague people or doctors which claim to have the amazing results are not at all uncommon.
The Take:
There is no absolutely no item for consumption or nutritional supplement that can be sent through emails and which can prove the claims to shrink tumors, cure insomnia, cure impotency, treat Alzheimer’s disease, and prevent severe memory loss right. This usually deals with the remedies of the diseases; that the companies make claims which follow the FDA’s pre-market testing and review process required for new drugs.

Your Safety Net:
When trying to evaluate any of the health-related claims give it a skeptical thought. If possible consult any of the health care professionals before buying of any “cure-all” packs which claim to find a wide range of ailments or also that offer some quick cures and easy solutions to the much serious illnesses. Frankly speaking, the cure all, cure none formula works here.
You may forward spam with miracle health claims to spam@uce.gov.
Check Overpayment Scams
The Bait:
What can look like a net to trap you can be a response to the ad that you’ve posted or any of the online auction posting, offering to pay with a cashier’s, personal, or corporate check. The so-called buyer (or the buyer’s “agent”) makes up a valid reason for writing the check for more than the purchase price, and can also ask you to wire back the difference once you have deposited the check.
The Take:
You lose just in case you deposit the check. Mostly the checks that are issued are counterfeit, but definitely they are good enough to dupe the unsuspecting bank tellers; and if in any case they bounce, you must pay the entire sum.
Your Safety Net:
Do not agree to a check for any amount which is more than your selling price. Do not succumb into any situation even if it tempts you. You can ask the buyer to give you the check for the purchase price. If the buyer gives you the incorrect sum, return the check. In such cases do not send the merchandise. If you are the vendor who accepts payment by check, you can ask for a check which is drawn on your local bank, or a bank with your local branch. This way, you can also personally make sure that the check is ultimately valid. If this cannot be done call the bank from which the check was drawn and by using the phone number from directory assistance or an Internet site that you know and trust, not from the person who gave you the check. Find out whether the check is totally valid.
You too can forward the check overpayment scams to spam@uce.gov and your state Attorney General.
Also, you can find contact information for your state Attorney General at www.naag.org.

By Pinaki Ghosh 
Also known as Junk Mails, Spam mails are sent at a bulk, and are almost identical. At just one time, these mails are sent to a numerous recipients. Over the years, there has been a considerable increase in the sending of these Spam Mails.  Most of the time, these Spam Mails have a lot of viruses too. There are a lot of precautions that you can personally take care of so that it does not affect you and your computer at a financial level. You can delete the spam mails as and when you see them in your inbox or the junk folder. This war, it would be easier to keep your mail box safe. Spam mails are most of the times mails that are sent by the scamsters. A huge number of spam mails are into circulation nowadays, which is an area of concern. If in any case you want to keep yourself safe from these spam mails, you can follow some safety precautions for yourself. Do not sign in for any newsletters as most of the times, these newsletters are also Spam. Unless and until your sure about the site that you want to view, do not click on to any unknown sites.
Try not entertaining the spammers. Do not fall prey and subscribe to buy what they want to sell. Just mail in a complain mail to them. It is not point trusting the Spam Mails.
Usually the spammers log on to the user nets to hunt for people who can fall prey to these scams. They trick the people in every possible way over the internet. On request, these spammers get the required information from the servers. Spammers have web-spiders that spider through web pages, looking for email addresses (e.g. email addresses contained in mailto: HTML tags).

By Pinaki Ghosh

‘Hacking’ is a concept known by most of the people who log on to the internet. Hacking is a crime! By simply punching some codes, one can get a copy of the passwords and then in turn misuse the account that belongs to someone else. These spoofs hamper the safety of the internet users. Generally people wanting to explore the possibilities of getting into someone else’s account indulge themselves in these hacking tactics. But this is also a way of misusing the information. People who indulge in these crimes are known as Hackers. Usually the hackers hack the computers of big companies and leak the important information.  Hackers normally are not differentiated from the crackers, who are the people who get the unauthorized access to any of the restricted computers. The security of the computers is hampered due to the hacking that takes place. Most of your important information is leaked out due to the hackers. If most of your files are deleted or blocked by the hackers, you cannot access your own PC. This is when we end up saying “My PC has been hacked!”
Just as to protect your PC from such cases, you can install the firewall that can help you and protect you from the existing hackers to a certain extent.

I will continue my series on hacking, phishing, viruses and all other online threats, and how to protect yourself. I shall discuss later who ar ethical hackers and how they can be helpful.

By Pinaki Ghosh

More than 9.9 million people have been hit by the cases of the identity thefts in just a matter of year. This too, only in the United States region. This shows the seriousness of the problem. Even though the people are told to take care of their details, most of the times, a minor mistake can get the consumer in trouble. People are mainly advised to change their passwords at regular intervals. Laptops that are stolen also are a source from which the data is misused. Most of the professionals in hacking get the easy way in stealing the information. If one may see the past records, most of the thefts are done by the teens. This may be due to the lavish expenditures and the interests that the people have nowadays. The teens from your own family can be lured in committing this crime.

To protect your family and yourself from getting hit by these scamsters and con men, you can take the following precautions:

For the overall protection of your personal and financial matters, you must try and keep the information to yourself and avoid mailing such details over the net. You can also have a one to one talk with the teens in the family just so that the information does not leak from your boundary.

Try not passing such details from the cyber cafes and the other internet cafes. Keep such matter on your lap top if necessary or on your home PC. If in any case, you have to mail the details, make sure you log off completely. Clear off the SSL slate and the history in any case.

If at all you receive any mails from any companies for your details, take proper care in getting the details of the same, as most of the times this is in just a part of the phishing scams.

If you use you office computers too, there are chances that your information is been jotted down by people looking over your shoulder

Try not shopping over the net in sites that are not secure, as your credit card details are being passed on across the internet. Secure sites should bear a security seal at the bottom (or elsewhere) and the site will be visible even if you type https:// instead of http:// in the address bar with the url of the site.

Also, giving your teenagers credit cards can be risky.

If you are a victim of the Identity theft, do not waste any more time! Inform the police as well as your bank to stop all the transactions that are being done from your cards. If you have any online accounts, change your passwords immediately. Keep your records intact.