Local Thursday, June 26, 2008 Redneck Tech by Eli Loy Protecting The Internet From ~T- 2F So, you think Your chil your child might be using the inter- Part net for nefarious purposes. What are you going to do about it? Well, here are some things to consider. First, if your kid IS getting into hack- ing, installing programs that deny them access to sites that provide them hack- ing utilities sounds like a good idea. There are several of these programs available, some for free. However, what you should remember is that your bud- ding hacker may have already learned many tricks to get around security Af- ter all, that is what hacking is. So, in- stalling a program that requires a pass- word to access certain sites or pro- grams will likely just encourage them. Knocking down the password you set up is just as tempting to them, if not more so, as messing up the kid next door's myspace page. So, I reccommend that any program you use to against your kid's nefarious networking skills, should be of the type that doesn't actually have a graphical display that could alert them. To this end, what you should do is find and in- stall a nice keylogger. Many keyloggers will run in the background, meaning that no one will know it's even there. With one of these nifty programs run- ning, you can tap into the most potent weapon in a parent's arsenal... surveil- lance. That's right, you will know what they have typed into the computer, and from that, you may deduce their com- puting habits. If you catch them at things that you don't approve of, quite simply take the computer away. Now, when installing a key logger, keep in mind that they are, generally, consid- ered a virus. Your antivirus program may go ballistic and request that you re- move the program, if you do, it won't, of course, work. It is an interesting con- cept though: a virus that does what you want it to do. One that I have used in the past is the KGB Free Keylogger, if you type "KGB Keylogger free" into google, you should be able to find it. dren 2 If your young hacker seems able to get around the software keylogger, you can purchase discreet hard- ware keyloggers that work nicely as well. Or, you could just stand over their shoulder while they are on the computer, of course, they will notice that. The down side to a key logger is that the kid will still have access to every- thing they were trying to get from the internet. YOU, however, will have a record of all their web usages, and can subsequently banish them from the computer with a clear conscience. Another way of keeping your children out of places-they have no business surfing to, is to have your computer ac- cess the internet through a proxy A proxy is a computer that your computer can connect to and request data from the internet. Many proxies don't filter the content, and are primarily used to mask a users location, thereby keeping them anonymous. Some proxies, though, will filter out any content that the administration deems inappropri- ate. I can't really give you any addresses for proxies, due to legal concerns, but, if you google "free proxy", I'm sure you can find some. I happen to know that any proxy operating out of Saudi Ara- bia (don't ask) will filter out pretty much everything you or I would consid- er elicit. If you are going to use a proxy, you should get the owner of that proxy's consent before using it. Also, keep in mind that some "open" proxies can be used by the proxy's ad- ministration to record any data that. goes through it. That can include credit card numbers, and any other informa- tion that your computer transmits to the internet. So, if you are using your' computer for banking, make SURE you trust the proxy server, or else disable it when you make transactions involving sensitive data. Configuring proxies can be confusing, so in the next week I'll try to explain how it is done. See Y'all around! WHAT EVERY CONSUMER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE END OF ANALOG BROADCAST TELEVISION At midnight February 17, 2009 television will under- go the biggest advance since the introduction of color: all over-the-air tele- vision stations will turn; off their analog broadcast signal and switch over to 100 percent digital broad- cast. With this change quickly approaching, con- sumers across the nation, are faced with confusion and misinformation about the digital television con- version. FIVE THINGS EVERY CONSUMER SHOULD, KNOW ABOUT THE DTV CONVERSION: 1. It is Unavoidable: The government has man- dated that old analog tele- vision transmitters cease broadcasting television signals in February of 2009. -Although many peo- ple are aware of the tran- sition, they may not be aware of what they need to do. Households may not realize that they need to buy a converter box for any analog television not connected to a cable or satellite service and in- stall it by February 17, 2009 to continue to receive free, over-the-air televi- sion. According to a cur- rent Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) survey, 25 percent of over-the-air households said they "don't know" what steps they will take for the transition, and 19 percent said they would "do nothing." 2. It Won't Impact Ca- ble or Satellite Reception: The DTV conversion will only affect non-digital TV sets receiving signals via rabbit ears or a rooftop or attic antenna. With rare Sheriff Richard Baker, IND Robert Carter, DEM Dewey H. Hatcher, Sr., NPA Chad Everett, NPA Supervisor of Elections Starlet Cannon, REP Kenneth "Tank" Lee, DEM Superintendent of Schools Mark Rains, DEM Bonnie Faye Williams, DEM School Board Dist 2 Tim Alexander, NP John Lee Driggers, Jr., NP Clerk of Courts Dana Cannon Johnson, DEM Carla B. Downing, DEM Horace F Craft, NPA Tax Collector Tammy M. Rollison, NPA Barbara B. Buzbee, DEM exceptions, all TVs can be converted to digital, even black and white ones, but since technical under- standing varies, many people mistakenly believe they will need to purchase an expensive HD televi- sion or begin cable or satellite service. 3. There are Two Ways of Continuing to Receive Over-the-Air Television: A great deal of confusion re- mains about the differ- ences between HDTV and standard digital televi- sion. While both are digi- tal formats, the cost impli- cations of equipment are significant and con- sumers need to know what questions to ask be- fore they buy a new televi- sion or sign a cable, satel- lite or broadband TV con- tract. a. Expensive Method: Buy a new digital HDTV and a digital antenna. b. Cheaper Method: Get a $40 dollar coupon from the government to help you purchase a $70 con- verter box that will turn digital signals from your antenna into an analog stream for your old TV 4. $40 Coupons are Available: Government coupons are available to help consumers purchase converter boxes for old televisions. For informa- tion, visit www.DTVan- swers.com. Connor Smith really likes learning Self Defense because he has fun and is getting better at balancing. Connor is looking forward to going fishing this Saturday with Mr. Taylor and all the kids from the karate school. His mom and Nana are proud of him because he listens bet- ter, is better behaved, and has more self-esteem. For Information about classes, call 498-0048. Experience the adventure of saving lives with the Dixie County Rotary Club Cross City, Fla. Experi- ence the adventure of saving a life and donate blood at Camp LifeSouth this summer. At Camp LifeSouth, the camp fire- is always burning for the need to give blood. LifeSouth invites you to give the gift of life when they team up with the Dixie County Rotary to host a blood drive on Wednesday, July 9 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Look for the bloodmobile at Food- land in Evan's Square in Cross City. "Be a part of the Dixie County lifesaving team," said Joyce Higgins, a re- cruiter for LifeSouth. "Come out and experi- ence the adventure for yourself!" Camp LifeSouth donors will receive s'mores, a recognition item and complimentary choles- terol screening. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more, and show a valid photo I.D. at the time of donation, For more in- foimation, call toll-free (888) 795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org. LifeSouth is the sole blood supplier for 39 medical facilities in 17 counties in North Cen- tral Florida including Shands at UF, the VA Medical Center, and North Florida Regional Medical Center. Life- South is a nonprofit, vol- unteer blood center sup- - plying more than 110 medical centers in Flori- da, Alabama and Geor- gia. * *~ *--- I NEW Mini Implants For Crowns, Bridges & Stabilization of Dentures - 117 NE Hwy 351 o*: Cross City, FL : .5 2008 Candidates O'Steen Family Reunion Saturday June 28, 2008 12:00 Noon First District Community Center Hwy 349, Old Town Please bring a covered dish, dessert, or drinks. Fish, swamp cabbage, tea and paper goods will be provided. Ifyou have questions contact: William O'Steen Home: 386-935-1075 Cell 352-578-4365 Cross City Dental, PA Stephen M. Henry, DMD (352) 498-7001 whiter, brighter, faster Dixie Dyals Wright, DEM Michelle Fowler Cannon, DEM Joy Dyals, DEM Lisa B. Fowler, REP School Board Dist. 4 Patrick Bell, NP Cheryl C. Pridgeon, NP County Commissioner, District 1 Hoyt J. "Buddy" Lamb, NPA Wade "Gene" Higginboth- am, DEM County Commissioner, District 3 Mark Hatch, DEM Marcus Hays, DEM County Commissioner, District 5 James Ronnie Edmonds, INT James T. Valentine, DEM Margaret Corbin, DEM Property Appraiser Robert A. Lee, DEM David L. Sanders, NPA www. dcadvocate. net Page 5 Ita d1re white, MF a' I R