In the past, securing SSH on the public internet has been pretty much as easy as (a) keep your OS patched, (b) don’t let root log in with a password, and (c) run fail2ban to stop brute-force attacks. Unfortunately, it looks like the bad guys have finally figured out how to put their bots to… Read More: Ongoing large-scale distributed SSH brute-force attack »
Someone forwarded me a chain letter today about how offensive it is that a blatantly antisemitic web site, JewWatch, shows up at or near the top of the search results when you Google the word “Jew”. Here’s my response: http://blog.kamens.us/jew-is-not-a-bad-word/.
The last time I looked, there were no options I was happy with for backing up my Linux PC in the cloud for a reasonable price. That may have changed, and perhaps if I were less stubborn I’d pay CrashPlan a few bucks per month to back up my system, but I feel compelled to… Read More: Free Linux cloud backups for cheap bastards »
To the editor: To run an article which aggressively calls into question the safety of blood transfusions [2] [3] [4], without so much as a single word countering the scare-mongering, goes well beyond bad reporting and crosses the line to irresponsible, dangerous journalism. Certainly, there are risks to blood transfusions. But there are risks to… Read More: Boston Herald blood-transfusion scare-mongering »
Dear Representative Brownsberger, I write in opposition to H.408, “legislation to establish civil or criminal penalties for motorists failing to yield to bicyclists,” which you sponsored. Bicyclists are legally prohibited from riding in crosswalks. To use the crosswalk, a bicyclist is legally required to dismount from his bicycle and walk it, thus making him a… Read More: Against MA H.408 »
I got a call on my cell phone at about 2:20pm (US/Eastern) today whose caller ID claimed to be from 406-623-3644 and “Hardin, MT”. Here’s the transcript of the voicemail message that the caller left: Hey guys this is Sara Ellis here. Hey we spoke on the phone last week [lie!] about possibly trying to… Read More: Phone phishing scam of the day »
Executive summary: Carolina Furniture Works ships damaged furniture as new and apparently thinks this is not something they need to apologize for. In addition to shipping damaged furniture, their workmanship is poor. Their claim that their furniture is “rigidly inspected” before shipment is a joke. If you care about the new furniture you buy looking… Read More: Carolina Furniture Works ships broken dresser as new »
I’m in the process of having solar panels installed on my roof. One of my friends is considering doing the same and asked me to share what I’ve learned so far. I figured I’d post it here since it may be useful or of interest to others as well. If you have any questions about… Read More: Solar panel brain-dump »
Dear Councilor Connolly, When I arrived home (__ ___ Street, Brighton) at 6:15 this evening, I found a “Connolly for Boston” campaign sign secured to my porch railing with zip ties: My wife tells me it was not there when she arrived home at 5:15. My three-year-old son tells me he saw “a man in… Read More: Boston City Councilor John Connolly puts campaign sign on my… »
I sent a detailed complaint letter to the New Jersey Attorney General’s office about a company doing business in their state which, it seems clear, is knowingly committing fraud against consumers on an ongoing basis. My letter contained all of the information that the AG’s office could possibly need to investigate the company in question.… Read More: NJ govt: Our job is to enforce red tape, not… »