New SCAM Alert

Be aware of a new scam being played out on the internet.... Here's what we've had happen in Victoria recently....

Some unknown person(s) have been capturing photographs of upper-end homes that are listed for sale by a Real Estate company and posted on a web-site....(Our company web site, Realtor.com, etc.) They are transferring these photographs to Craig's list and the properties are being advertised for RENT...displaying the photographs. Persons interested in "renting" the property make all arrangements by email and a security deposit is required... by credit card. They are told where to pick up the key, usually at a Real Estate office... The credit card charge is processed overseas. Our Victoria office has experienced three such attempts in the past couple of weeks.... One person actually had their credit card charged for the security deposit and they showed up at our office looking for the key.

Just wanted everyone to be aware. jd

J. D. Simpson
Coldwell Banker The Ron Brown Company

Internet Explorer Security Flaw - by WIRED

IE Fans Beware: Hackers Are Exploiting a Serious Unpatched Flaw

By Scott Gilbertson December 16, 2008 9:40:31 AMCategories: Browsers

If you've never tried Firefox, Safari, Opera Google Chrome or other Internet Explorer alternatives, now might be a good time. Microsoft's flagship browser, the default choice on countless Windows machines, currently has a serious security flaw that affects all versions of the browser running on any version of Windows. The vulnerability allows hackers to gain access to any sensitive data on your PC.

Even more worrying, the exploit is already in the wild and no there's no fix in sight, leading a number of security researchers to suggested that, in the interest of avoiding malicious software, users switch to another browser.

If you're the pry-it-out-of-my-cold-dead hands sort of IE fan, there is one bright side to news that some 10,000 sites are ready to pwn your PC: so far the sites are mostly Chinese and the malicious software is mainly after passwords for computer games, which can be sold on the black market.

But given the scope of the flaw and the fact that Microsoft has yet to release a patch, don't expect that to last. Eventually far more sophisticated trojans will likely emerge with far more dangerous goals.

Obviously Microsoft isn't recommending you ditch IE (though the company didn't hesitate to suggest dumping Apple's Safari browser when it suffered from a far less serious vulnerability). Instead the company has released a security bulletin with possible workarounds, including running IE in Protected Mode and running Windows as an non-administrative user (to limit the damage an attacker can inflict).

Microsoft also says it is investigating the flaw and may push out an emergency software patch, rather than wait for the next monthly patch cycle to roll around.

Article from WIRED http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/12/ie-fans-beware.html

Remember that only Internet Explorer works with MLXChange so if you decide to use another internet browser to surf the web just make sure you keep Internet Explorer so you can still login to MLXChange.

The best way to keep your self safe is by making sure your anti virus is up to date and turning your computer off each night. Thieves can't get in when the machine is turned off.

Back from NAR Convention

If you don't know already we are back from the 2008 NAR Convention in Orlando. The forums and classes were very informative. I listened to topics on everything from economics to tablet PC’s. Many of the classes have inspired me to write my own class so I can share it with the membership. I plan on writing in the near future an Internet Security, Zipforms Online, and a Better Listing Presentations classes all for MCE credit.


Plus, if anyone is interested in knowing more about Tablet PC’s and or how to use them I would be happy to discuss them.