This week on Computer Talk Radio Benjamin talked about criminal fraud rings and how they are using technology to harm you. The US government has arrested 11 people involved in a fraud ring that targeted big names like Office Max, Barnes and Noble, and more. This ring uses technology to tap into wireless networks and find the information on it, such as your credit card number. In order to protect against something like this happening to you, you should encrypt your router with WPA or WPA2 and use strong passwords for all of your information. Additionally, always know how much money you have in the bank so you will know immediately if any of it starts to go missing. Big retailers are seeing the problem here and working to solve it, which means a better and safer internet could be on the way; who knows?

Following along that same line, Benjamin talked about Botnets, which hack into computers, which take over other computers, which hack into other computers, etc. These botnets work as spammers, virus delivery tools, and other forms of malware. Now people are trying to figure out how to do the same to phones, which could be very easy because of the fact that they are always on and don’t have virus protection. However, there are things that would complicate taking over cell phones, such as the complexity of the cellular network and operators’ abilities to shut down cell towers and stop the spread of the botnet. This is definitely something to be thinking about and preparing for if this pulls through.

On a more personal note, Benjamin met with Paul Roleo, maker of the Roleo massager. This simple yet genius design massages your arm, particularly great after working at the computer after a long time. This great machine, which is perfect for simple stress relief, also helps to prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Repetitive Stress Injuries. For more information go to www.rollyourpainaway.com.

Benjamin also talked about Fujitsu’s new  zero-watt monitor, which completely stops the flow of energy coming to it when it goes idle. Other monitors merely lower the energy being received, not kill it. This may not seem like a big difference at first, but over time the saved energy will easily translate into lots of saved money. Its not exactly something to ditch your current monitor just to get, but its definitely a good choice for your next monitor.

Additionally, Benjamin talked about the world of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs). These games, such as Second Life (made popular by being featured on CSI:NY and many other TV shows) and MapleStory, allow people to meet new friends, buy and sell things with virtual currency, which is frequently bought with real currency,  and have fun fighting monsters. Unfortunately, people sometimes get so swept in these games that they commit crimes based on things in the game. A woman receiver virtual divorce papers from her “virtual husband,” so she accessed his account and killed his avatar. Another woman was planning to physically abduct her “virtual boyfriend,” and a 16-year-old boy from Tokyo was arrested for swindling almost $360,000 in virtual currency.

This week Benjamin also mentioned downloads and all of the add-ons that come with them. Many downloads, like Adobe Reader come with additional things, such as Google Toolbar and eBay Desktop. These add-ons take up needless space on your computer and sometimes include viruses. Whenever faced with a download, make sure you turn off all of the add-ons and read all of the fine print. You may be getting more than you’re bargaining for.

Benjamin additionally mentioned Wi-Fi and how people are accidentally accessing the internet illegally. There are many Wi-Fi services out there for free or cheap, but not all of them are legal. Sometimes you can wind up accidentally hacking into a person’s computer. For safety’s sake, make sure you always know where your Wi-Fi is coming from. Starbucks, Panera Bread, and many other places all offer free Wi-Fi, as do many universities like Darmouth College. These are great places to access the internet, just so long as you know exactly where your Wi-FI is coming from. Be careful with Wi-Fi, or you can actually be arrested for illegally accessing a computer.

Benjamin also answered a number of e-mails this week, including one from Michael, who wanted to know why he couldn’t get his computer, which is running Windows XP Pro, to turn off, and Chris, who wanted to know about the Blind Carbon Copy option in e-mails, which keeps e-mails information private.

Remember to tune in next week and to listen to this week’s show right now by using the links below!