evannichols ([info]evannichols) wrote,
2005-07-16 12:53:00
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  • Mood: suspicious

You Want Me to WHAT?

So I'm at work Friday afternoon, and suddenly all of my Internet browser windows pop to this "Welcome" screen, with instructions on how to connect with the Internet. Since we've been connected to the Internet for over a year, this seems dubious. And what particularly gets me are the following instructions (I've obscured the ISP name so you can't tell who it is):

  • Click the “Download” button on this page to download the C=mc=st installation software and begin the installation process.
  • Note: Please temporarily disable any firewall, anti-virus and pop-up blocking software currently running on your computer before running the installation software. (emphasis mine)
When I hover the mouse over the "Download" button, the URL shown is NOT clearly a C=mc=ast address. Do they think I'll cheerfully comply when they unexpectedly ask me to disable my protection systems and execute an unknown program? I say, WTF? This seems to be the computer equivalent of getting an official-looking letter in your mailbox that reads: "Representatives will be in your area today! To allow us to serve you better, please unlock your doors, drop your pants, close your eyes and bend over."

The nice lady at the computer place three doors down (our service reseller) called C=mc=ast when I asked. Apparently the Customer Service person there initially couldn't understand why we didn't just download and run the software (!), but finally either comprehended or got tired of arguing and agreed to take care of it. Service came back about two hours later.

Am I wrong, or if one was phishing, wouldn't this be just a perfect mode of attack? Perhaps I'm paranoid. But when I was married, my primary responsibility was to ensure that no member of the household was eaten by wild animals, and I didn't have a 100% survival rate by opening the door to every predator that asked to come in.

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  • 11 comments

[info]sanguinity

July 16 2005, 20:08:37 UTC 6 years ago

Whoa, wait, what? The Comcast rep wouldn't/couldn't tell you if this was them or a phishing scheme?

And yeah, I agree -- if I get an instruction to disable firewalls, etc, it better be an expected result of a process I initiated.

How was that 100% figure calculated? Did it include nibbling? And did it include nominally domesticated (yet uncontrolled) animals? Because we might have to hire you as a security consultant...

[info]evannichols

July 16 2005, 21:41:54 UTC 6 years ago

How was that 100% figure calculated?
Counting all residents, both human and domesticated animals (usually referred to as "the cats"), none were consumed by wild (or feral or domesticated) animals to the point of serious injury or death. There were some flea and mosquito bites, but everyone survived those. Was that what you were wondering?

The Comcast rep wouldn't/couldn't tell you if this was them or a phishing scheme?
How'd you guess what ISP it was? Amazing! The Reseller Lady wasn't very good at explaining what was happening or asking the right questions. I almost grabbed the phone from her at a couple points. So I'm not exactly sure what the Rep was telling her, I only got the filtered version. I think they finally established that it was indeed an ISP download screen, but we shouldn't be getting it, and they'd take care of the problem. That final bit was what made me happy.

[info]snottygrrl

July 17 2005, 03:34:58 UTC 6 years ago

the truly amazing thing is how many folk just do those things, or put all their info into bogus bank and paypal webpages.

you know you are the only person i read in lj who is not talking hp and the hbp

[info]evannichols

July 17 2005, 14:49:12 UTC 6 years ago

Yeah, there are a lot of gullible people out there. And what really gets me is when Customer Service people act surprised when I question things, as if they aren't aware that tons of scams go on daily. Sheesh.

Harry Potter? What, did another book come out or something? ;-)

[info]snottygrrl

July 18 2005, 01:05:56 UTC 6 years ago

well, they are minimum-wage, high-turnover staff. they probably turn their own computers to custard at home.

Harry Potter? What, did another book come out or something?

books? there are books? i thought this was all about the movies. [*smirk*]

i take it you haven't read?

[info]evannichols

July 18 2005, 14:38:42 UTC 6 years ago

I'm on the list for a copy at the library, but it may be a few weeks before I get a copy in my hands. Until then, I'm avoiding posts with spoilers (which most of my friends and friendsfriends have been nice about putting behind cuts).

I liked how you got to pick up your copy on London time. Very civilized!

[info]snottygrrl

July 19 2005, 03:35:19 UTC 6 years ago

at the library? [*blinks*] don't you work for a bookstore?

and it isn't so much civilised as tied to the old country i fear. kiwis like to boast about being their own country, but one look at the flag or the sqeeeing about the queen and you can see the vice-like grip of britian.

besides, it is the same publisher, we get the brit copy of the books.

[info]evannichols

July 19 2005, 03:59:07 UTC 6 years ago

at the library? [*blinks*] don't you work for a bookstore?

Well, yes I do. Supposedly the owner inquired about getting copies, but I never saw any. Maybe some will show up this week.

[info]oh_that_jocelyn

July 17 2005, 15:05:21 UTC 6 years ago

I can back him up on this

Speaking as the other human member of that household, I can say without equivocation that Evan was completely successful in protecting us from a great many awful things, not the least of which was being eaten by wild animals (Kato's living in terror of that very thing was merely one item on a long list of things she feared, including the vacuum cleaner and Regis Philbin).

Indeed, the only wild animal that ever came into our house was a small rodent, and s/he was not so much invited as escorted in (or carried or chased) on one of Kato's I-am-a-Wily-and-Fearsome-Huntress days. This posed no actual threat to any of us, apart from it taking a long time to figure out where that mysterious stench was coming from. Evan very manfully attended to the situation once we located the, uh, ex-creature in the very back of his side of the closet.

Yep. That Evan's a Clever Feller. Ya gotta get up early to catch HIM nappin'!



[info]evannichols

July 17 2005, 15:40:50 UTC 6 years ago

Re: I can back him up on this

...long list of things she feared, including the vacuum cleaner and Regis Philbin.

Ha! Mr. Computer almost got a Coffee Shower when I read that!

And thanks for the corroboration and praise. Although I generally nap in the afternoon. ;-)

[info]oh_that_jocelyn

July 17 2005, 16:03:18 UTC 6 years ago

I didn't feel it was my place to say anything

"Although I generally nap in the afternoon. ;-)"

I did think of saying something to that effect in my first message, but didn't want to detract from the compliment to your general vigilance inside the folksyism by getting all literal.

Mind you, anyone with a napping habit is held in high regard by everyone in MY household.

(I'm at the Mother Ship today, which means I can get on the internet but can't check my email. Buggrit.)
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