Sunday, April 11, 2010

Passing a Virus on to Nice People

I’ve been wrestling with a computer virus the last couple of days that was introduced through, of all sites, my “Freecycle” Group. The moderator sent a warning out approximately 25 seconds after I opened the file. Even though it’s my home computer, Dirk came over and wrestled with it. He said he’s seen it several times in the last few days.


Freecycle folks, of course, are exactly the prey that some cretin on a virus spree could take advantage of. A good-minded bunch, trying not to throw stuff away and offering it to other people in their town. Surprisingly little of what they offer is complete crap, although someone keeps offering Parenting and Architecture magazines.


There is this one poster who offers, almost exclusively, food and cosmetic products. He/she once offered a box of cereal and I had an image of a half-eaten box of Raisin Bran sitting on top of a refrigerator. They get taken quickly and consistently. I asked a friend what she would do if she was interested in some of the things this person posts, and she said she wouldn’t go to their house alone. I should check to see if the items are ever taken by the same person. What if the poster lures people to his/her house, robs them and then uses them for taxidermy practice? That would be brilliant. How can I get on the ground floor of that?

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