Fake Emails about Windows Support spam!

According to Trend Micro, Some malicious software is being sent to unsuspecting users about Windows SP1 andSP2 having a error that could damage software or even hardware.  See Trends blog with the photos of the fake spam.

[ad#ad2-right]Although from time to time Microsoft does send out security information to Technet subscribers people have also used this in the past to get people to install Viruses and Malware, like this one that installs TSPY_BANKER.MCL. TSPY_BANKER.MCL monitors the affected user’s online transactions and steals banking related information

Microsoft sends e-mail messages to subscribers of our security communications when we release information about a security software update or security incident. Unfortunately, malicious individuals can and have sent fake security communications that appear to be from Microsoft.

[Via Microsoft]

So if you get an email from Microsoft you’ll probably want to delete it.  Any Microsoft communications will be sent from the Update center.  You should never install software that is from an untrusted website.    If you are concerned you should check the web and find out what people are saying about the situation and see if it is a scam or true!!  Remember only you can prevent a virus or Malware!

5 Steps in Finding the right Affiliates!

So you want to make Money with your blog but don’t know how? I thought I would share with you what I’ve learned in the past few months to earn enough money to pay for the space and web address. I’ll go through each step talking about steps:

First you will need to explore all the great Affiliate programs like OpenX, TMIWireless, AdsenseConverseon, and Commision Junction.   There is of course even more out on the Internet, but these are ones that I like and have given me some insight as to Commission and Affiliate marketing.  I have been using TMIWIRELESS and Converseon more and more.  I still have Adsense but you have to get a balance on Advertising and what people are wanting.

Find the right fit for you blog and talk about the products you like the most.  I like TmiWireless because you give out free phones and still get money in return and Converseon for recommending Cell Phones. You should figure out what does better, and always keep looking. There are more than a few out that will work for you better. If you know one that I should look into let me know.

[ad#ad2-right]Remind readers about the affiliate programs so others can find them and blog about them.  It can also help with people coming to your site because the will encourage other people to check out what you’ve written and your recommendations.  You should come up with ways to promote your affiliates and encourage users to click on them and buy stuff from them.   This has brought in money by having them searched and indexed by Google.  You should find a niche that you have very little competition in, that way you get most of the traffic in for your self.

Create a Sneeze page, although this sounds rude, it is really a page talking about having helpful topics around your products or have them for people to find even more information about your affiliates.  Just like I have a Malware Resource, and Cricket Resource, also Cricket Reviews.  These will make it much easier for people to find what they are looking for and make it more enjoyable for the reader.  It also encourages people to come back and stay a while.

Although this is overlooked it is sometimes necessary to remind your readers about affiliates and talk about a product in detail by asking them to comment on a articles and encourage them to link to you.  This will bring in even more people to look at your blog and your reviews to get your page views higher and get more people to click your affiliate links.

I’ve not followed these steps very well in the beginning of starting my blog but I have learned a lot since then.  I’ve also learned that you need to update your blog on a weekly or even daily to basis to keep readers to come back.  You should always keep searching for even better affiliates to make your blog better.  You can also start advertising your blog by yourself without the middle but that is of yet I’ve not done enough on.  I will in the future when I get more experience under my belt.  I hope this has helped you in some way.

How do you like your Cricket USB Modem?

Lately I talked about the A600 USB 3G modem and Now I want to hear from the Readers?  You see I can’t do my best reviewing these with comments from the readers, that being you.

techlinkblog[AT]gmail.comClick the picture to send me email, just remember to replace “AT” with “@”.

So I want to hear what you think about either the USB UM100 Modem or the A600 USB 3g Modem?  Here a re a few things to answer when you write your email.

Something will go to the people who email me?  I want to publish some of these comments on my blog for all to read.  I want to hear if what I am publishing helps you?  I will even give your credit as  to who wrote it.  If you have a site or something you want to promote by all means add that to your testimonial.  Here’s the basic questions that should be talked about:

  • Which one did you buy? (Cricket USB A600 or Cricket USB UM100)
  • Did you Upgrade from the Cricket USB UM100 to the Cricket USB A600?
  • Are you using it for travel or Primary internet?
  • Is it for business or Pleasure?
  • Are you happy with your choice?
  • Do you recommend the Modem to friends and family?
  • Any Situation you can think of where this has been helpful?

I am going to be asking for comments from Cricket about this also and I will be publishing this later on this month but before I do that you will have your chance to tell the company what you think of their Broadband solution.  Please keep these comments family friendly, if you cuss and I publish it, be advised I will edit the cussing to be family friendly.

Getting to the A600 Program Files

So you want to see this screen when you plug in the A600 Broadband Card:
cricketa600softwarecricketdrive1

[ad]But doesn’t pop up! I found out why. If you installed it one time or another and had a problem with the installation and it won’t pop up with that screen. You’ll need to take this first step:

Uninstall THE USB DRIVERS for A600
C:\Program Files\Cricket\USB DRIVERS\Uninstall.EXE

Once you do that you will see need to reboot and then try to insert the A600 Modem into the USB slot. It should pop up with t hat screen or you should see the drive become available.

I’ve also took the drive and copied the program files into a sub Directory of the 4 Gig drive installed in the A600 and I decided to help everyone else out by uploading the self-extracting program to rapid share:

Cricket-A600-Program.exe Bit torrent file

This is the file I created on Memory card for when I need it.  If you are uncomfortable downloading this because your worried about virus, then follow the directions on how to uninstall the software to get to your Cricket software for the A600.  I did this to make it easier later on to re-install the software without having to uninstall software.  Let me know if this helps. You should consider downloading Free Anti-virus Software and free Firewalls to protect your system if you haven’t already!!

Reviewing the 3G A600 Cricket Modem

So I got the Modem and wanted to test out the speed being stationary, So I go to my usual site Speedtest.net look at the speed, check below for speed.
As you can see this went fairly well. It does depend on your Cricket Coverage area. So you want to hear all about it.

First thing if you are upgrading from the UM100 Broadband Card, You’ll want to uninstall the Quicklink Software.  To do that you can uninstall it by going to:

Computer > C: Drive > Program Files > Cricket > Quicklink > UNWISE.EXE

(This will uninstall the Quicklink software, I’d suggest after you uninstall it you reboot.)

a600cricketspeed

How does the USB Modem work?

Once you do that you can then insert the A600 Modem into your USB.  The Nice thing about this is the software for the Modem is on the Modem itself, so you don’t loose the CD for the modem.  It currently only supports Windows and MAC OSX operating system but I have seen there is a work around to use the A600 Modem with Linux if your wondering.Once you insert it into the USB you’ll find you have a new Drive.  It will say a Cricket CD Drive with 24 megs used.  You’ll want to run that program on the Cricket CD and that will install the software.

The Connection

A600Connection

As you can see this is the provided application to connect to the Cricket Network and the speed and signal strength can differ from location to location due to coverage areas. This application can do several different functions:

  • Connecting to Cricket
  • Text Messaging (Free with broadband connection)
  • Bandwidth Monitor (Helps makes sure you don’t use to much Bandwidth, they do have a soft cap of 5 gig’s but haven’t affected me yet.)
  • Statistics, this is good for those who want to try to get the most out of the modem.
  • Logs, Also good for those who want to keep track on how much they used the modem. It however only logs activity on the system it is connected to.
  • Activation — Seems to help get updated tower positions when your traveling and can be done as long as you can get a signal

Pro’s to this EVDO MODEM:

  • [intlink id=”3174″ type=”post”]Memory Slot[/intlink] to have backups on files in case the worst case scenario happens (1 to 4 Gigbyte Capabilities)
  • Speed and Bandwidth (See above for speed test)
  • No loosing CD — I have the [intlink id=”3067″ type=”post”]program files[/intlink] online if you need them.
  • Independent card reader without having to install the Modem Software.
  • Able to take the modem with you as you go. (There is a clip slot for you to carry it anywhere you go.)
  • Found out there is an External antenna connector and will be looking at Antenna’s for it in the future.
  • Swivel USB port, You can swivel it up or down 90 degrees or side to side 180 degrees. (X and Y Axis)

Cons:

  • If you use it primarily internet you’ll expect some slow downs from time to time during HIGH Peak Zones.
  • This has a dormant signal feature that I will have to figure out how to disable but easily fixed by reconnecting to the tower. You can get out of dormant mode by web surfing, just load up your browser and the dormant mode will go away.

Twitter Comments:

@Laforge129 I sure am trying out the Cricket broadband.!I just started it last week and so far it never ceases to amaze me! (Via Twitter)

Conclusion

I and others would recommend the Cricket Broadband Modem a600 to anyone who wants an inexpensive and portable internet connection for $40 dollars and no contracts. Though with all the things you can do with this modem makes it an invaluable extra incentive in buying this modem. You should always check the Coverage area for Cricket and make sure you are able to use this modem in the first place. I’ll have another update on this later on but I’m really impressed with all the features of this modem.

Clicker here to buy it now.

Check out my Extended Review of the A600 and All the programs that I added to my 4 gig MicroSD Card.

If you want to comment on the A600 just twitter me and tell me what you think. Maybe you’ll twitter will be on my review site.

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