Evil breached the SL gates today. We report this because it’s so unusual: Our always-connected systems haven’t been compromised in many years.
Evil came to the party as Software Protect 2009, proclaiming itself a searcher and destroyer of spyware. In fact it had only the worst intentions. Run it through the Google for the whole story.
Nasty little beastie
Of course, we knew Software Protect 2009 was a fraud the moment we saw it. Why? Because it burst onto our screen, without invitation, and flung wide its raincoat. Even Gates doesn’t do that any more. Well, not as much.
Then Software Protect 2009 ran a nonstop barrage of popups warning us that our computer was infected. One said: “Click here for the scan you computer,” confirming our well-known position that marketers should hire copywriters.
In any case, we’ve destroyed the thing.
Here’s the biscuit
In speaking with our security vendor, McAfee, we’re having a language problem. There’s no help in the style guides — Chicago, AP, Microsoft, nothing.
Here’s the question: Which of the following is more proper?
Thanks for the run! or
Where the hell were YOU, nitwits?
When vendor failure takes down a Ford line, the vendor faces an automatic fine. We’re going over our contract with McAfee, but so far we haven’t found that clause.
Guess we’ll have to reevaluate our security situation. As if we had nothing else to do. Recession on Line 2.
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We offer the following as a public service.
The single most important step to take with your computer, if you haven’t already done so, is to start a backup regimen that is 1) regular 2) automatic and 3) offsite. Do it right now. It’s necessary AND sufficient to protect your data.
We’ve been glad we did, and more than once. SL at its post.
