(The Bastards!)
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There’s no fool like an old fool. Sadly, that weary old axiom is as true as ever. Yesterday, in the middle of a busy morning my computer went KABLOOWEY KERPLUNK. The Screen was suddenly frozen, white with a broad red band across it. There was no way to escape (At least so far as I knew.) A bold message read that Microsoft had detected an insidious virus and had frozen my computer to prevent further damage. A toll-free phone number was provided for me to contact immediately. There’s no-one as gullible as someone in deep panic. I was on my way to an important meeting and the timing of this cyber trap completely blew my cool.
A man with a thick Asian accent answered my call through a very bad connection and the fun began. I should have caught on immediately. For half an hour I was switched up the line to yet another supervisor, with difficult accents, and then another who soon had control of my desk-top. An alien curser began dancing across my screen at their will and reams of data scrolled on and on. I was told that my IP address was severely hacked, all my personal data was now in the hands of these bad guys and with such a high-end computer, now drastically infected, I had huge problems. Eventually prices in the hundreds of dollars began appearing on the screen. I finally began to smell fish. I was warned of dire consequences if I switched off the computer and/or took it to any computer repair facility. At this point I became the next curser, and a loud one at that. Bastards! Looking back I knew that Microsoft simply does not operate in such a way. Hello! Hello!
Originally assured that there were no fees for this online repair, the story evolved. Now the scam was that my IP address was in the hands of nasty hackers and hopelessly irretrievable. The only way I could ever use my computer again was to buy a license for a new IP address. This is yet another version of my ongoing theme about the profit of paranoia. Scare the crap out of folks and you’ll be able to steer them in any direction you want. That ageless persuasion continues to work very well for the church and for politicians. That, and greed. I was once selling a boat for a friend when a nasty Nigerian scammer tried to pull my chain. That’s another story. I should have known better this time. I’ve already skipped through the big scam about Revenue Canada threatening me with imprisonment. I’d been warned. Now this! So you too stay alert.
Suddenly I could see that I was being had and knew I’d soon be asked for credit card information. Finally I hung up and headed for my neighbourhood computer guru where I was met with a quiet smile. Yep, just another old fish who had bitten the dancing lure. Fortunately I spat the hook. All is well that ends. My chagrin has not. These dudes were utterly convincing and part of my fury was at myself for being swept through some very obvious signs, in retrospect, that I was being had. Almost duped I felt like an absolute stupid ass. Here’s what you do if you find yourself in the same pickle. Shut it down and go to your computer repair man. They’ll remove any nasty thing that was installed… by the hackers. Those were the guys who installed the problem. I’ve also been shown how to unfreeze my screen should the same thing ever happen again. Bastards!
The rest of the story is that I was heading off to an appointment to look at a vehicle. A very good friend was having dinner with another of his amigos and learned that their old camper van was for sale at a very, very reasonable price. He e-mailed me immediately. Now I’m flat-assed broke for the moment but many of my pals have noted how badly I’ve been faring with winter and other problems which are rapidly becoming a great dungball of darkness. One of those friends has graciously loaned me the means to acquire the van and go south for a while. So, there will be some interesting blogs as I travel down the cactus trail to old Mexico. Meanwhile the rain hammers down as usual. There was a time when the sound of rain on the roof was soothing and peaceful. Now, it is an irritating white noise. That’s a bad sign in itself. Yesterday, I had to walk several blocks in the downpour when I could hear a red-winged blackbird singing. That is one of the first joyous sounds of spring. Instantly uplifted, the singer soon proved to be a starling, one of the great mimics. I’ve actually heard a starling perform a perfect eagle song. I spotted the little bugger singing his head off after I had looked all over the sky for a big baldy. That seemed quite funny at the time. Now it just depressed me a little more. Is everyone up to some sick trick? Bastards!
The rest of the story is that my benevolent friend wants to buy a sailboat in Mexico which he will leave there to use during the winter months. He wants this old salt to watch his back and offer a second perspective and any other relevant assistance. So we’ll call this a bus-man’s holiday. Of course cameras, both still and video, will be whirring all the while and evenings will be spent working at the computer keeping everything sorted out and recorded. Spring arrives in the Sonora Desert next month and the flowers are profuse and fantastic. There will be blogs.
Meanwhile I have a plethora of woes to sort out on the new old van. It has sat unused for years and as old Lord Nelson said “Ships and men rot in port.” The vehicle was stored under a roof and as soon as it was moved out into the pouring rain, windows began to leak. I turned on the pressure water system, the plumbing leaked badly. Electrical systems need attention. The rig needs a full service, including brakes and steering. I’ll have some busy days ahead.
“Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.”
… André Gide
“The shape of boats..”
“Boats are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever built”
Robert Rose
Beautiful! I agree. Thanks for that.
Fred
Hah! You are far from alone in being caught up in the trap of online hackers. Glad you bailed in time, and don’t feel too appalled at yourself – it’s easy in hindsight to see what’s happening but in the grip of panic we’re seldom very rational. Great news on the camper van – looks like a nice one and sounds like just the tonic you’ve been needing. Good luck with the fixes and I look forward to hearing about the adventures to come.
Thanks Laurie!
I got one of those one time too … worse than the Blue Screen of Death. Just shut the computer off ungracefully and was okay but what a bunch of clowns … we get SPAM messages at work that reveal our password and ask for money … the password is the old one we used on our old computer system. We get them all day long – computer guy says he can’t fix it, but just don’t open them – sigh. Sounds like an eventual warm way to spend Winter … best you brush up on your Spanish.
Que?
Hey, Fred–
I’m the feller who sailed a Frisco Flyer from San Carlos on the mainland, over to Baja, Concepcion Bay for five weeks, then to La Paz, then Mazatlan, then Puerto Vallarta. My wife and I occasionally drive down to Bahia de los Angeles, Bahia C0ncepcion, other spots in Baja and mainland Mexico. Very glad to hear that you picked up a van for a driving trip to Mexico. We live in San Diego. Please let us know if we can help with information or etc.
Recently stayed at Playa Buenaventura at Bahia Concepcion. Warm water and helpful, friendly people, lots of good stories get passed around. https://www.ontheroadin.com/buenaventura-bahia-concepcion-baja-california-sur/ . If you run into Keith, buy him a beer and ask him how he got the scar on his chest.
Hey Wayne:
A few years ago I rebuilt a Frisco Flyer for a fellow here in the Gulf Islands.
What a helluva a boat! Thanks for the contact and the information.
Mucho Gusto
Fred