allheart55 Cindy E

Unrestrained

Unrestrained

Unattached

If the world of scams was a wrestling ring, the Federal Trade Commission would be launching itself from the corner to deliver a world of hurt on tech support scammers who claim consumers’ computers are full of malware and other nasty stuff that can only be vanquished by paying them hundreds of dollars. The FTC isn’t taking issue with just one or two scammers right now, nope: As part of “Operation Tech Trap” — a coordinated effort with international partners and state authorities to crack down on such scams — the agency announced 16 new actions [PDF] it’s taking against scammers. Those actions includes complaints, settlements, indictments, and guilty pleas. Most of the scammers targeted in the operation have similar MO’s: They populate a victim’s computer with fake security alerts that look like they’re from a legit tech company like Microsoft or Apple, warning them that their computers are full of viruses, are being hacked, or are otherwise vulnerable to hackers. The ads urge computer users to call a toll-free number for help ridding their machines of infection or prevent an attack. Here’s an example: Not realizing that the person on the phone isn’t actually a tech expert working for a major company, some consumers will go along with whatever the scammer says, including allowing them remote access to their computer so they can “fix” the issue. Subsequent “diagnostic tests” inevitably spit out the same result: Your computer is in grave danger, and you have to pay hundreds of dollars for completely unnecessary computer repair services, service plans, anti-virus protection or software, and other products and services. “Tech support scams prey on consumers’ legitimate concerns about malware, viruses and other cyber threats,” said Tom Pahl, Acting Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. Here’s the quick rundown of the actions announced today (full list here [PDF]): • The FTC alleges in four of the new complaints that defendants used these kinds of tactics to scam Americans out of millions of dollars. In three of those cases, the agency says it’s already obtained temporary restraining orders that halts business at the companies in question by freezing their assets and appointing a temporary receiver to handle things. • Settlements against two massive tech support operations that they had previously sued for bilking consumers out of millions of dollars. • Federal criminal charges against seven individuals in connection with an investigation into two companies that formerly operated a tech support boiler room in Florida. The Florida Attorney General’s Office sued and obtained an order halting the business in June 2016. • The campaign against tech support scams reaches beyond our borders as well, as the FTC says it’s been working with Indian officials to wage war on such scams operating there. If you believe you’ve been the victim of a tech support scam, here’s what the FTC suggests you do: • Update or download legitimate security software and scan your computer. Delete anything the software says is a problem. • Change any password you shared with someone, on every account that uses those passwords. • If you paid for a bogus service with a credit card, call the credit card company and ask to reverse the charges. Keep a close eye on your statements for any charges you didn’t make and request to reverse those charges as well. • Report the scam to ftc.gov/complaint. “The FTC is proud to work with federal, state and international partners to take down these scams, and help consumers learn how they can safeguard their computers against real cybersecurity threats,” Pahl said. For more information on tech support scams, check out the FTC’s recently updated consumer education portal on that topic. Source: Consumerist

Microsoft is announcing today that 500 million active machines are now running Windows 10. The latest statistic comes almost 8 months after the company revealed 400 million devices were running Windows 10. Microsoft revealed its latest Windows 10 figures just as the software maker starts its Build developer event in Seattle today. Microsoft had originally claimed it would have 1 billion devices running Windows 10 by 2018. The bold estimate was revised last July, with Microsoft admitting "it will take longer than FY18 for us to reach our goal of 1 billion monthly active devices." It now seems this will take a lot longer than 2018 for Microsoft to reach 1 billion Windows 10 devices. Growth has stalled since the free Windows 10 upgrade offer, and Microsoft has all but given up on phones that could have helped boost its numbers. Sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans tell The Verge that the company has been loosely targeting 550 million monthly active Windows 10 devices by the end of June, and 575 million by the end of September. Today’s 500 million figure shows the company is roughly on schedule with its revised estimates, and it’s a large number of devices that makes it increasingly harder for developers to ignore. Microsoft will now again try and tempt developers to create Universal Windows Apps for its Windows 10 operating system, while also convincing them to port existing desktop apps into the Windows Store. Build is a key event for this type of push, and the majority of Microsoft’s Windows focus will be seen tomorrow during the company’s second keynote at 11AM ET / 8AM PT. Source: The Verge

:wow: I bet there are a lot of really ticked off people!

Once you unpack it, it can be installed immediately. It says that it's simultaneously uncompressed and extracted in one step.