DFW Computer Integration / Investigations

Today's success story:

I solved a really weird problem on two different client's computers just now. Turned out to be a malformed url.

I recently installed BitDefender Endpoint Security on two systems. Then I tried to create Backblaze accounts and set it up.

No joy.
Non-specific error on both systems.

So...

Common factors are BitDefender and Backblaze.

Checked the Bitdefender cloud console and found a URL blocked. For backblaze.

Ah-HA!

Looking carefully, I noticed characters in the url that should never have been there. A bad link on the backblaze site.

Backblaze has a malformed URL on their site.

help.backblaze.-,com

This causes BitDefender Endpoint Security to block a browser from going to the address.
I worked around it by making it an exception in BitDefender.
But of course, I should not have to do this.

I let both companies know.🦸‍♂️

If your computer is giving you fits...

Don't Shoot Your Computer - Call DFWCI at 214-232-9503 Everyone has wanted to shoot their computer at one time or another. Probably quite a few times if they're honest. Well, we are doing exactly that - and eve...

The "Gathering Invite" HACK you Need to Avoid

This latest phishing scam is making the rounds and it can ruin your life. My wife got one of these emails last week. Due to the fact that I solve these kinds of problems every day, she was suspicious of it and forwarded it to me. I verified it was a nasty phishing scam. Clicking on ANYTHING in one of these will open a backdoor into your computer and before you know it, all your password and login records have been stolen. You can find your bank accounts emptied in a matter of hours.

A new client brought in a computer yesterday that was hacked this way Thanksgiving Day.

These emails WILL come from someone you KNOW. Because their accounts were hacked.

If you see something like this DELETE it.

Since this company doesn't have the ability to leave reviews...

We have been using StingBox for several years as intrusion detection for some of our clients.
We had a litany of problems with them, not the least of which was a total lack of new detection notifications. I had configured the account to send them as discovered and they were coming in regularly at first. Then nothing. I contacted support and was told it was working correctly.

Obviously not.

So I reassigned them all to a different email account. Still no updates.

When the last big project where we employed 3 of their honeypots ended, I removed all three from the monitoring console. I assumed this was adequate to disable them and keep from paying a renewal fee annually.

Two months ago, I added one of them back to my console on a new project.
Shortly thereafter, I received notice of TWO devices being renewed. I contacted support about this, saying I was only using one. They said it was auto renewal and I had to return the unsued ones to prevent being charged. Which I did immediately. They still will not refund the second charge because they said I didn't let them know before the renewal anniversary.

Do YOU know the renewal date for any of your subscriptions? Because I sure don't. They should let you know a week in advance to give you time to cancel if you no longer use the device or service.

This is completely unacceptable.

Do NOT use this company.

The latest Netflix email scam

This one showed up in our inbox this morning.

There are always telltale signs.

First is the From address ending in .io. That is from a server in the Indian Ocean. Always a red flag.

Second is the address you will be redirected to (shown circled at the bottom) if you click on the Update Payment Info button.

All you have to do is hover your mouse pointer over the button to see where it will take you.

This is an abbreviated Twitter address. In this case, one that has malicious code embedded in it.

Let's all be safe out there.

And if you do get in trouble, call us

DFW Computer Integration
Addison, Texas
214-232-9503

You need to reset your passwords NOW.

Reset your Google, Apple and Meta Passwords NOW! - DFW Computer Integration A data breach exposed nearly 200 million records, including login credentials for Google, Apple, Meta, and more. The stolen information contains usernames, passwords, and login URLs connected to services like Spotify, PayPal, and Netflix

Today is a good time to change your Apple ID password.

The latest data breach.

Massive data breach exposes swath of unencrypted Apple ID logins Database of 184 million records exposed login info in plan text from dozens of services.

Some excellent advice across the board. Please share.

WRITTEN BY A COP:
Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or a loved one's life. In daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation... This is for you, and for you to share with your wife, your children, & everyone you know. After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do :The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. Learned this from a tourist guide. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse,....... DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM.
Toss it away from you... Chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse.
AND RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy.. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.)... DON'T DO THIS!
The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your HEAD and tell you where to go.
AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE..

If someone is in the car with a gun to your head
DO NOT DRIVE OFF....... Repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF!!!!
Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it.
As soon as the car crashes......BAIL OUT AND RUN!!!!
It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
A.) BE AWARE... look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor and in the back seat.
B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door.
Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side.. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out.
IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY.
(And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot.
This is especially true at NIGHT!)

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN!
The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then,
it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN!!!!
Preferably in a zig -zag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP!!!
It may get you r***d or killed.
(Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next VICTIM).

9. Another Safety Point:
Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last and because it was late and she thought it was weird..She called the police.
The police told her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR!
The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a windrow and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, do not open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby.. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.

10. Water scam!
If you wake up in the middle of the night to hear all your taps outside running or what you think is a burst pipe.....
DO NOT GO OUT TO INVESTIGATE!
These people turn on all your outside taps full blast so that you will go out to investigate and then attack.

Stay alert, keep safe, and look out for your neighbors!

I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know.
It may save a life.
I was going to send this to the ladies only but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc.... You may want to pass it onto them.
Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or a loved one's life.

We will be closed from April 16th 2025 through May 5th 2025. Taking some much needed downtime on vacation. I will have my laptop with me if you need remote IT help. Leave me a message and I will fit you in when I have good Internet.

Why settle for geeks and nerds when what your REALLY need is a Computer Wizard!