Identity theft on internet and preventive measures......

Peter Steiner has drawn a cartoon. In the cartoon it is seen that a dog is typing something on a computer. Then it looks to his friend , another dog, and says "On the internet, nobody knows you're a dog".

Today, even after 19 years of this cartoon, it still holds the same significance as it had on 1993. Even on this days there are lots of people who fake their identity on internet. There are a number of incidents of either husbands or wives have cheated their partners by making fake IDs and having romantic online relationships with outsiders using those identities. Also there are many cases, specially at various dating websites, where many people have been cheated by fake identities.

Now-a-days, Facebook is a very widely used social networking website. There are thousands fake IDs on Facebook mostly as girls. Many are cheated by those fake IDs. There are numerous incidents where some real person falls for a girl where the girl's ID actually belongs to another male. In such cases, that person is cheated as the fake girl demands gifts or calling cards etc and he meets her demands to remain loyal to her. There is also another form of cheating, where a person is blackmailed by his or her photos and videos captured by another person while intimated chatting with him or her.

There are many pitfalls while using internet. One should be real careful while sharing his information and pictures over internet. Some accept friend requests from persons they do not know, to increase number of friends since some people think it is prestigious to have many more friends and followers. This may lead to a very dangerous result. Some of the unknown friends could be fake IDs. They collect information and pictures of the person as well as their timeline events shared time to time. And using those information and pictures, they create more fake IDs. These IDs are very hard to figure as fake, since they provide stolen information and pictures of a real person on those. These stolen pictures ( mainly girls are the victims) are used in various dating or even worse porn websites.

Sometimes I find explicit contents shared by some of my friends who in their normal state of mind would never have shared those. I am sure some of you also have more or less same experience like me. Later when I contact them personally to know the reason for those explicit content sharing, they tells me that their IDs  have been hacked. This may be the result of either of the two possibilities. One, using password too easy to hack like your birth-date or something common like 'abcd' or 'qwerty' etc. And two, by logging in to  account in a public computer and leave without signing off. When we log in to our accounts from a computer, we often overlook an option  named "keep me logged in". This is an option to keep logged in even after the browser is closed. In some websites this option normally remains checked. That means, if you do not leave the box unchecked while logging in from a public computer, you will remain logged on till next sign out even after you have closed the browser and left the workstation. To prevent this kind of ID hack, experts recommend using passwords with combination of both alphabetic characters and numbers, as well as to get into a habit of changing passwords on regular basis.  

Social networking websites are powerful tools since thousands of people remain connected. Any manipulated picture or sensitive information could be enough to cause public chaos. So, before posting any sensitive picture or information it is really important to be sure of its genuineness and to be aware of the after effect.

Facebook and other popular social networking sites have increased security level to prevent identity theft. We have to be careful while sharing personal pictures over internet. It is not too much difficult to maintain who can access what content on our social networking website page. A little awareness can save us from embarrassments and lots of odd situations. Also, unknown people must not be added as contact or friend, no matter how attractive he or she looks in his or her profile picture. This is very important to prevent your confidential information to go the hands of a fraud.

Photo Courtesy: Peter Steiner (collected from internet).

How to select what computer you want to buy?

My friends always ask me about what computer they should buy? Since my years in engineering university, everyone in my friend circle and family asked for my opinion about what computer they should buy. Maybe that's because I always kept very good information and knowledge about computers and IT. Some even took me with them when they went to buy their computer. Technology has so much changed since 2004-05 and now we have much advanced computers in a very affordable price range. I remember the first computer I used in 1999 was an Intel Celeron processor of 366MHz speed and of 64MB ram and 8.4GB HDD. 

Desktops/ Laptop?

Let’s get to the point. To select a computer to buy first you'll need to choose whether you need a desktop computer or a laptop. 

If you always plan to use the computer at home or office and not to carry it during travel, desktop PC should be your choice. Because, it’s cheaper compared to a laptop of same configuration, and if you want to expense some more money you can have almost ultimate machine. You can have large display monitor, surround sound system, large HDD etc. And you will have a broad number of options to buy. You can even buy a branded desktop from reputed brands like dell or HP or Asus, but I think it’s better to customize your PC according to your need. Like, if you love gaming, then you can go for a high configured PC with large screen monitor, dedicated graphics cards and powerful processor and good sound system. If you want to buy an office PC or for internet cafe etc. for daily light like emails and word processing, you can even go to a low end PC. You even can cut off the speakers if you like.

Laptops and Tablets:

Now here comes the laptop. There are varieties of laptop model available for varieties of purposes. There are ultraportable category, gaming category, standard desktop replacing models, heavier large models, netbooks, tablets etc. to select the type of your laptop you first need to identify your need. Think what you plan to do with your laptop first before you think of buying one.

First let’s consider laptops only. I will discuss about tablets in another post.

Ultraportable and Netbook :

For those who travel a lot, there are options for them- ultraportable and netbook. Ultraportable and Netbook both is lightweight, have long battery backup, capable of doing almost everything on the go. The main differences between ultraportable and netbooks are the processor and the price tag of the machine. Ultraportables incorporate high end processors like Intel corei3 or corei5 or core i7 whereas netbooks generally incorporate Intel Atom processors, AMD processors. Now, even dual core Intel Atom processors are available. So, how to choose which one you need?

 If you have a powerful desktop PC to do your work at home or office and if you do not do high end resource hungry works on the go, you can definitely choose netbooks. Because they are lot cheaper, they have excellent looks, they are very light and have really long battery backup. You should remember in this case you have to give away the optical disc drive i.e. DVD drive as netbooks doesn’t have it.  With this although you won’t be able to play modern games and do works that requires high resources, but your everyday computing needs will be nicely carried out. Netbooks screen sizes range from 10.1 inch to 11.6 inches, generally 320GB to 500GB HDD, no ODD(Optical Disc Drive), battery backup for around 6-12 hours and weights generally less than 1.5KGs. You can choose from numerous models available from all reputed computer brands.

Now, if you plan to possess a laptop to use it for all purposes from internet surfing to high end work like video editing etc., you travel too much and want to carry the laptop with you always, then ultraportable should be your choice. They have long battery backups, high end processors, some even do have dedicated graphics card. They are bit pricey but they are elegant. They are like an ultraportable workstation. They generally incorporate Intel corei5/i7 processors, 12 to 13.3 inch screen, generally have 128/256GB solid state drive (some includes both solid state drive and standard 7200rpm HDD), ODD (sometimes Blue Ray disc drive), weight is less than 1.5kg and battery backup is about 7 to 14 hours with a price tag of above $1000. Toshiba, Lenovo, Fujitsu, HP etc brands have their ultraportable models available on the shops. There is a type of laptop you probably seen on TV ads is ‘Ultrabook’. Don’t be confused. This is just an ultraportable category laptop with special Intel processors designed to perform better while consuming less battery hereby adding really long battery life.

High performance gaming laptops /Desktop replacement laptops:

If you want a desktop replacement then you should go for standard laptops means like 15-17 inch screen, Intel core i3 or i5 or i7 processor, pick model with dedicated graphics if you plan to play games. The thing you need to consider that these kinds of laptops are heavier, hard to carry and have a limited battery backup but they are powerful as desktops. You'll be able to do all sorts of works those requires very high configuration as well as can play recent 3D games. Well, this gaming laptop would cost you definitely a lot of money, but the performance will be beyond your expectation.

Budget Laptops:

If you have a limited budget, then you can buy the budget laptops. They are generally Intel core i3/i5 or Intel/AMD dual core processor based laptops with integrated graphics runs for about 2-3hours on battery, around 320 to 500GB HDD, generally 14 inch display and weights about 2.3-2.6 KGs and has optical disc drives. There are various models of these available on computer shops at a reasonable price.

General ideas for buying a laptop:

What to check before buying a laptop:

1.     Processor: indicates what sorts of working you’d be able to do on it. Also check processor cache memory, the more the better.

2.     Graphics: Integrated/ dedicated? Depending on your urge to play modern games

3.     HDD: Is it 5400rpm or 7200rpm? Or SSD? for data transfer speed, also the size

4.     RAM: How much is supplied and up to how much you can upgrade?

5.     Weight: Do you want to carry it all time? Do you travel a lot? then weight matters.

6.     Battery backup: Depends how much time you want to remain unplugged.

7.     Upgradability: Do you want to upgrade your machine in future or want to buy a new one?

8.     Warranty: Does it have an international warranty? Does the brand have its service center on your location?

9.     Screen type: Matte screen or glossy screen? If you work outdoor then matte screen, or glossy if you work indoors. Also standard size/ widescreen which one you prefer?

10.  Optical Disc Drive: Do you need DVD burner? Or Blue Ray disc Drive? 

This is all so far I have in my mind right now. If I think something needs to be added I will include it. Thanks for your patience and time to view this. Thank you.

even our cheer could not save the match for Bangladesh vs West Indies...

after 4th day of the first test between Bangladesh and West Indies, West Indies were struggling at 244 for 6. so i seemed 5th day could be interesting. started watching the match with a hope for Bangladesh and the bowlers were doing so great. Shohag was magnificent. spirited Bangladeshi bowlers bowled out WI for 273. the debut Shohag took six wicket. he became the fourth Bangladeshi who took 6 wickets in his debut test match.
after WI being all out giving Tigers a target of 245, i thought this could be the day of another milestone. i watched in tv that most of the stadium ramains vacant. then i thought the Tigers need our cheer and support to win the match. then i called a friend of mine to ask if he'd be at stadium to watch the rest of the match and roar for the support of Bangladesh. he agreed and we started for the stadium.

after i reached near the stadium i found there is a huge crowd waiting to get into the stadium. i went to the ticket booth for collecting ticket and found loooong queue in there...it would'n be wrong if i say my heart sank a little. i counted myself, even if i manage to go near the booth, if there will be any ticket left for me and my friend to collect. another thing crossed my mind since Bangladeshi batsmen could not be settled on the pitch (3 wickets gone by the time i reached near the stadium) that even if i were able to get tickets, will anything be remaining to watch for us at the stadium? but i was so passionate to cheer for the tigers i walked to the end of the queue and entered the queue. while i was in the queue with so many other, some was listening the live commentary of the match over FM radio. from the commentary i heard wickets are falling like as ripe apples fall from the tree. i was so sad if all my effort would end up in nothing.

by the time i got those tickets on my hand Bangladesh is 7 down in their 2nd innings and score on board was 127. i along with my friend  then rushed into the stadium, took our seats and Tea break was on. the play resumed after the break. the batsmen seemed solid in both playing strokes and defending the good balls. we started hoping for a historic end for Bangladesh as last highest successful run chase for Bangladesh was 217 against WI. we, the people at the stadium, cheered at every run, every boundary and overboundaries to make the team spirited. with every four and six our wild roar was shaking the entire stadium.

but fatal blow came over Bangladesh as Shohag played and unnecessarily big shot and got caught. this blow silenced the whole gallery of Bangladeshi supporters. our heart was finally broken when Bangladesh got all out at 55th over for 167.

with a broken heart we left the stadium. and came home. what we feared came true. Bangladesh again collapsed in the 2nd innings at the final day of the test. and all the accusation should be made to the batsmen who played unnecessary shots and gifted the wicket to the bowler. Bangladesh should work on better strategy making for the test matches. in ODIs Bangladesh has made great progress and showing consistency, but test crickets needs to be taken more seriously. batsmen should be aware of 5th day pitch condition and should choose shots more carefully. otherwise there will always be this kind of dissatisfaction.    

the stadium on the final day...

i welcome me to blogspot...

Hiiiiiii people!! this is sefat. Professionally i am a mechanical engineer working in oil and gas sector in Bangladesh. this is my first blog in blogspot. although blog writing is not new to me. i have done it on various sites.

writing a blog was a passion for me long ago. i started blogging long ago when i was first introduced to yahoo 360 by my friend. i even had a circle there full of some outstanding people. my blogs were admired there. there was fun, there was teasing. but after i switched my job i hardly got time to write blog. my thoughts seemed getting blunt by day and night shift duties. since my last blog the situations have changed. i quit the last job and went to another job. i got married and blah blah. now i think its perfect time for me to put some blogs in here. 

i basically share my own experience about live and everything in blogs. here also i would share my views and experience about my world around me and also will post photo blogs about different places and situations. i also will write tech blogs (i should say here now that i am a tech lover) about new laptops or gadgets. so, since there is no one to say "welcome to blogspot" right now, i think it would be better that i welcome myself to blogspot. 

so ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my blog....