Acro.net – Technology Rants & Raves by Acroplex®

It’s the Holiday Season and the world of consumerism that we live in is abundant with gifts and endless spending.

The use of credit cards increases during this time of the year and that’s why an increased number of phishing emails are sent out.

On a daily basis, I receive close to 30 emails with the subject line being related to one of the following:

• ACH transfer
• Credit balance
• Log into your CitiBank account
• Transaction declined
• Update your login details

These are typical attempts to make one click on a compromised link or a spoofed web site, in order to surrender their credit card or login information.

One’s alerts are low during the Holiday season and phishing scammers know that quite well.

As always, never click on emailed links; visit the web site of your bank or financial institution by typing in the URL in the browser.

Wishing you Happy and safe holidays.

George T. Orfanakos is the president of the Children’s Tumor Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) medical foundation, dedicated to improving the health and well being of individuals and families affected by the neurofibromatoses (NF).

Having donated to the fund in the past, I received their newsletter; it’d be great for everyone to give a small token of appreciation; to show your support to a loved one who might be sick, or simply because you are aware of how blessed you are to be healthy.

Happy Holidays – it’s the best time to give.

This summer while attending the Children’s Tumor Foundation’s annual NF Forum, I had the pleasure of speaking with an impressive gentleman named Matt Hay. A husband and father, Matt is an active member of our NF Endurance Team and was, at the time, training for an Ironman triathlon.  An Ironman includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run.  A monumental effort by any measure, but even more impressive when you consider that Matt is living with neurofibromatosis.

Diagnosed with NF2 in 1998 at age 19, Matt has had two brain surgeries, a spinal surgery, and five eye surgeries in the last decade.  He has had to relearn how to walk and hear several times, but as I spoke with Matt, I was overcome with an extraordinary realization. Although his challenges are enormous, his passion to prevail is even greater. This quality, I’ve learned, is embodied by NF families everywhere.

On September 11th of this year, Matt finished his Ironman after 15 hours and 41 minutes of pure drive and determination.  He stuck to his plan and accomplished his goal and I’m proud to say, because of people like Matt, WE are on course to do the same. It is because of this determination that we have grown from two to now 50 drugs in early stage testing to treat NF, which compliment our 25 ongoing NF clinical trials.

This progress would not be possible without a proven strategic plan, sincere generosity, and enduring support from the NF community.  We are still working to find solutions for all forms of NF, but our partnerships with government and industry will better leverage each and every dollar donated.

I share Matt’s story to inspire you and to emphasize the importance of your support. I realize that the current economic climate is challenging for everyone, but NF won’t wait until things improve. I ask you to consider why you first gave, measure our progress and stewardship, and renew your support with a gift today.

On behalf of the Foundation, the Hay family, and the millions battling NF around the world, I thank you.  We are truly grateful for your generosity and consideration.?

Sincerely yours,

George T. Orfanakos
To make your gift online, please go to:  ctf.org/giving

The Holidays are almost here. You can smell the cozy atmosphere and see the happy faces of people as they cross paths with eachother.

“Hello stranger! Happy holidays!”

“Same to you, my friend, Merry Christmas!”

Except, that’s not the case.

People are more than ever alienated from eachother. They fight at the malls over $20 dollar toys. They talk bad behind other people’s backs and show a grumpy face when crossing paths with a stranger.

But that’s not how it should be done.

People – and domainers in particular – need to rediscover their kindness. They need to give and they need to give to the needy.

Fellow web developer, Tia Wood, is giving one such gift to the domain community – $1,000 dollars worth of it.

Read about the Holiday gift at TiaWood.com

It’s Friday and all while I’m sitting tight waiting for the delivery of my new camera, I thought I’d reach out to my friends.

I love you all – I just don’t love your spam.

You know who you are: every funny video you see on YouTube, every joke your co-worker sent you, every damn recipe your mom wants to share with the rest of the world – you stick all that in an email and send it my way.

Seriously, I thought I wade through enough unsolicited emails daily; from lowball offers for domains to inquiries about purchasing services I myself provide, such as web and graphics development. The last thing I need is more spam, from my own friends.

I call it “friendly fire” spam.

So here’s what I do to fight back – gently.

I use Gmail to retrieve my email, then mark those multiple daily emails of yours as spam. Gmail learns fast to recognize what I don’t like. Hey presto, more time to deal with regular spam.

I hope you still love me. TGIF.

It’s Thanksgiving time here in the US; time to count one’s blessings and give to others. Unlike Christmas and other religious holidays, Thanksgiving is about crossing the barriers of religion and sharing food – literally – with family and strangers alike.

The domain industry knows no such breaks, however. An international market dictates no breaks, give or take the time one needs for daily sleep.

I’m thankful that the mechanics of domaining make it one such sleepless industry, that brings opportunities and revenue 24/7.

This year, like every other year, I’m thankful for the astounding support of my remote family, my loved ones, those that make a difference in my daily life; those that I meet in person or on online venues. I’m thankful for my associates, business partners and supporters, sponsors and fans.

Happy Thanksgiving and remember to give to those in need.