Eugene Computer Geeks Blog

Watch the full documentary “Hacking Democracy” by HBO. This film discuses how the 2000/2004 elections were using the Diebold voting machines, and how easily the machines were being hacked. The secret source code used on the election machines had easy ways for the elections to be manipulated and was proven by using expert computer hackers.

A team called “Black Box Voting” hired computer hackers to test the Diebold machines, after a regular non-tech savvy woman accidentally stumbled upon the proprietary and highly secret source code to the Diebold voting machines while browsing the anonymous FTP server on the Diebold website.

Very well done film and highly recommend you watch especially if interested in computer security and ethical hacking.

Watch “Modern Marvels: Creation of the Computer” by the History Channel. Full documentary with no-commercials is below.  Very well done documentary outlining the history and creation of the computer.  Informative and well-done.

I believe computers and the internet  are the greatest inventions of modern man.   It surprises me how little we all know about the history of computers, considering how computers are now a major part of out lives.

More “History of Computers” full length documentaries are soon to come.

Have you ever wanted to scan your IP number or your website for threats?  Linux has the best security and networking tools, and almost all are free and open source.  The best tool to do a port scan and get information about possible security threats and foot holds for an IP or website is called NMAP.

Nmap does have a Windows version but it lacks the full features and stealth scans (anonymous scan) features that the Linux version has. Only scan your own network or website, or networks/sites you have full permission to scan with.

1. INSTALL NMAP- First step is to install Nmap if you haven’t already.  If you don’t have Linux, then I suggest you download BackTrack Linux or Ubuntu and properly burn it to a CD or USB.  You will then be able to run Linux live from the CD or USB without needing to install anything. It won’t touch your Windows partition and is totally safe.  To install on Ubuntu or on most Linux distros, open the terminal and type:

sudo apt-get install nmap

If your Linux distribution doesn’t use apt-get to install applications, use your software manager to download nmap or download from the nmap site at http://www.insecure.org

TO DO A QUICK SCAN ON A WEBSITE OR IP:

open the terminal and type:

sudo nmap -A -v IP_or_WEBSITE    (Example:  sudo nmap -A -v google.com)

Note: If nmap replies that the website is down or blocking ping probes, add “-PN” to the command. (Example: sudo nmap -PN -A -v google.com) This rule applies for all the nmap commands in this guide.

FULL SCAN

To perform a full security scan that scans all TCP ports:

sudo nmap -A  -p- -v IP_or_WEBSITE  (Example: sudo nmap -A -p- -v google.com)

UDP SCAN

To scan UDP protocol run:

sudo nmap -sU -A -v IP_or-WEBSITE (Example: sudo nmap -sU -p- google.com)

To run the full scan use the command above but add “-p-” anywhere before the target.

EXTRA PLUGINS

To use all the extra plugins with any of the above nmap commands, add “–script=all” right after the “nmap” part of the command. (Example: sudo nmap –script=all -A -v localhost)

Keep in mind that some of the plugs are highly intrusive and might be considered illegal to perform in your area. Only scan your own host or website and have FULL permission.

—

To scan your local computer use 127.0.0.1 or localhost for the target (where is says IP_or_WEBSITE in the commands)

Even though the commands listed above will scan an IP or website in stealth mode, its still possible that an advanced IDS (Intrusion Detection System) can detect the scan.  Nmap has other features to become more anonymous including the -D decoy feature, but you shouldn’t need to use these features if you have permission to do the scan anyways.

Nmap will not actually break into the computer, but its looked down upon and if your ISP (Internet Service Provider) someone finds out you are scanning a lot of websites and networks, they could give you a warning or disable your account.  Thats another reason why it’s very important to have permission to scan the website or IP number.

At Eugene Computer Geeks we provide the highest quality web design in
Eugene, Oregon at the most affordable prices. Our web designers provide
top quality, professional, and affordable E-commerce Web Design packages
that has everything you need including continued support, and
internet marketing help.

Below is a letter recently sent to a Eugene, OR coffee import business
that is interested in an E-commerce package. Below details the package
and pricing, and has very good information for anyone interested in
trying out services. Give us a try and see why we are the best option for Eugene Web Design.

I took a lot of time going through well over 100 new WordPress templates
with e-commerce, and I found some excellent WordPress themes (templates)
with e-commerce built-in that look very professional, elegant, and classy.
My favorite and the one I highly suggest we use is called “WP Flexishop
2 – A Flexible WooCommerce Theme (Responsive Layout)”.

You can check out the template at the template page here.
Keep in mind its highly customizable, including backgrounds, colors,
layout, ect. The template costs $55 for a one time fee and considering
how well-rated, customizable and elegant it is, its really a steal.

The template has everything integrated into one, and you can easily add
employees as users with password protection, and give them different
permissions. Everything is one place. Once its properly setup, you’ll be
able to;

* Securely login and change videos and photos in the media gallery and
other areas of the site.

* Update the product inventory and shopping cart/e-commerce settings and
information, including product pictures, video, description, price, and
other variables.

* Very easily add pages to the site and update content on other pages.

* Easily add blog articles and entries related to Coffee including;
recipes, information on products, and anything useful and relevant.

* Integrate Youtube Videos, photos, and product information very easily.

The code for the site will be error free, and the website will load on all
browsers including users with old computers, cell phones, and tablets.

If you don’t need me to do any writing, then it saves a lot of time on my
end and I can charge a lot less. This would let me focus strickly on
setting the site up. You could either e-mail me the text and pictures, or
I can set the pages up for you, and make it very easy for you to add the
text to the pages.

BONUSES THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES
1.FULL SEO (Search Engine Optimization) starter package which includes
everything you need setup to get the site ranked well on Google and Bing.

2.Google Places Optmization and Proper Setup

3.Link Building Starter Package

4.Social Media Building

5.Press Release Setup and Optimization

6.$100 free advertising with Google

7.$25 free advertising on Yahoo

8.Help with creating one KILLER looking craigslist ad that is optimized to
appear high on Google.

9.Basic internet marketing package

10. Facebook optimization

11. Help with creating and optimizing Twitter and Google Plus accounts

12. 4 extra very useful wordpress plugins installed and properly setup to
improve sites search engine rankings, load speed, performance and increase
traffic. (Yoast, xml sitemap plugin, super cache, and ping optimizer)

13. Free setup of unlimited e-mails with your domain.
([email protected])

This is a decent sized project, and is going to take at least 18 hours on
my end to properly set it up not including all the bonuses I’m throwing
into the deal. I feel that $400 would be a very reasonable price to cover
everything including what we discussed in the meeting last Friday.

This price also includes long-term support to the site, unless a major
redesign. For the quality package and all the Internet marketing add-ons
this is a deal that can’t be beat.

What also separates me from the rest is that payment not taken until site
is live, and a contract is signed before the project starts. I also prefer
to work at least half of the time on the site on-site so that I can have
any questions answered, and get feedback and input as the site is created.
My goal is to give you the best website possible that meets all your
expectations.

Total costs for the site:
Domain Name:, {$7.99} a year with a coupon I have.
SSL: (required for all e-commerce sites) {$45 a year} (I found a killer
deal. Its usually $120)
Hosting with Dedicated IP: $30 a year + $59 a year (SSL requires the site
to have its own dedicated IP with it’s own hosting account so I can’t
piggy back you on any of my hosting accounts if we do the shopping cart)
My Fees: $400
————–
TOTAL: $541.99

If that total price is out of your budget, I am flexible and can make a
smaller package. If we do the e-commerce there is no way around the SSL,
hosting, and dedicated IP costs. All ecommerce sites on the web have to
pay it.
Thanks,
–Cameron
Owner | Head Geek, Web Designer
Eugene Computer Geeks
541-357-7222

HOW TO WATERPROOF A PHONE BY USING NON LUBRICATED CONDOMS

Have you ever needed to water proof your phone, but didn’t want to buy a bulky and expensive water-resistant case? Below are instructions on how to easily waterproof any cell phone by using two non-lubricated condoms.

Condoms are very durable and are developed not to have any holes. They do an excellent job at keeping a water-tight seal.  If you tie at least two condoms to a cell phone you’ll be able to water-proof your phone to a depth of 9 feet or deeper!

Instructions: 

1. Get at least two non-lubricated condoms.

Almost every city has many programs that offer free non-lubricated condoms which work as an excellent way to waterproof any cell phone.   Please don’t abuse these important services, and only take a 2-4 no more than once a year.  You can also buy non-lubricated condoms for cheap.  Regular lubricated condoms will probably work just fine, but

2. Place the condom over the phone and tie a secure knot.  

For extra protection from water place a second condom on the phone, starting from the other end of the phone so that you can tie it off on the other side of the cell phone.   If you only place one condom over the phone, you’ll still be able to use it but won’t have as much protection.

3. Enjoy your water-proof phone.

Now if you are going out in the water, you’ll be able to bring your cell phone without having to worry about having it get wet.

VIDEO
The following video shows how to make the condom phone water-proof case, and lets you see it in action. Watch as the case protects the phone even while submerged in the bottom of a swimming pool. The video also includes other useful thing you can do with non-lubricated condoms.