Geekly Update - 30 January 2019

Take the phishing quiz, where right off the hop you're asked for your name and email? Uh... no.

@Bob The very first lines in the opening page of the phishing quiz suggest using a fake name and email address. You probably would flunk the test because you don't read closely enough.

I didn't bother to do more than a few questions since there were only two answers: basically phishing or no phishing. Frankly, I don't trust any email with a link, period. When I receive one that looks like it may be legitimate, I go directly to the website involved to act on it (assuming it turned out to be for real) or contact the sender to verify it is for real.

You're asked to MAKE UP a name & pw only for use on the test. I encourage you to take the test.
You had to enter your real Email to make a reply on this forum!

@Bob ....UH..No..The quiz is asking for an artificial name & email; so it can formulate a reasoned question... NOT your real name & Email..
Reread the intro....

I should have said MAKE UP name & Email.

What's with the constant erection against Amazon, Bob? All they've done is provide a much-needed service with AWS, and retail items by the millions, at a much lower price and more conveniently, than the competition. That bother you? What's your problem?

"And what of the collateral damage to real news?"

Are you kidding? The Main stream media, the internet and every where else is over run with "fake news"; where is the real news?

I took the quiz, and did fairly well, but I still have room to improve! I got 7 out of 8 samples correct, but that one I missed is the one that will get me ...

Feeling quite smug! I got 7/8 on the quiz — I identified the first genuine one — and my only mistake was being over-cautious with a real one that was asking for permissions that I wouldn't give a legit sender.

Thanks, you have trained me well Mr Rankin!

Thanks for the link to the phishing quiz. As an IT guy, I'm always harping on people to be careful what they click on. By the way, for the person concerned about putting in your name and email, just use a fake one. They even say that in the instructions, which is further evidence that PEOPLE CAN'T READ!! lol
I took the quiz and was relieved that I got 8 out of 8. I shared it on my company facebook page and will also share it on my personal feed. Thanks again, Bob!

I got 8 of 8, using my "Bieber" name and 666 email. I'm so proud of myself! Now I wonder if I should have used my real name and email to write this comment.

At the end of the quiz, there is a link for info for better protection = g.co/2SV.
That looks like a phishing attempt, but I searched for it and it's a domain for Google.
I still haven't clicked on it.

Schmarisieur! Fifty years ago my grandparents had a Teasmade that made not just one but at least two generous cups of tea. It even had built-in bedside lights. I don't think it had a cooled chamber for milk but I'm sure they had another solution for the few nights of the year warm enough for safe milk storage to be an issue.

No worries...

The shortened "g" link at the end (g.co/2SV) is from Google about making your email accounts more secure.

Actual URL:
https://myaccount.google.com/signinoptions/two-step-verification/enroll-welcome?pli=1t

Interesting test.

All of you who said I didn't read about using a fake name and email are correct. I saw the boxes to fill in and I stopped there because in real life I don't do that. I didn't bother reading further.
I just took the test, and did ok but not perfect so there's room for improvement.
As for using my real email address here, no problem. I trust this site.

@JohnV I stopped using Amazon a few years ago for anything other than e-books because of repeated problems with receiving wrong items, broken items due to inadequate packaging, and problems with their idiot delivery "service" (what a bunch of idiots!).

Also, in my experience, Amazon was not the low price leader much of the time. Most of the time, I was able to find the same items they had at other vendors (it just took a little searching) for the same price or less and usually got far better service.

I prefer buying locally whenever I can because I can make sure I'm getting the correct item plus I get it right then, not a few days later. Also, returns are much easier and faster with local retailers. I'm a handicapped senior and I still find shopping locally (when I can) far more convenient than shopping online.

Amazon has become far too intrusive in our lives. I got a kick out of how hard it was for the author on the linked article had severing ties with Amazon. Talk about "owing your soul to the company store". While I have not completely severed ties with Amazon (although I easily could if I wanted to since I haven't become dependent on most of its "features"), it has little to no influence on my life.

I'm not buying nearly as much from FleaBay, either, because many of their vendors are misbegotten Amazon Fulfilled vendors advertising there (they should be shot for not disclosing they that they are Amazon Fulfilled vendors) or are unauthorized Chinese arbitrageurs.

I did 7 out of 8. Pretty good, but since I am vigilant, was surprised. Maybe my brain is frozen from the minus 18 F temperature here in Chicago!

Like Jeannie; Amazon, Ebay or Wallyworld are not low priced leaders. And since the USPS and UPS increased shipping rates, packaging has become atrocious. As a former occasional seller on A, they increased their fee or refuse to sell more types of legal merchandise, Bye!
Wallyworld's claim of 2 day delivery and their arrival notifications are a joke here. No time for their BS. Ebay- so many sellers are disguised and using cheap packaging.
All this gives smaller retailers a better chance at succeeding if they practice good selling procedures and are loyal to their customers.
Also i've never had serious problems with Craigslist. Maybe just lucky?