ADM 316 Workshop 2 Postscript

I really enjoyed the discussions we had last night about software piracy and internet security. As I said, we’ve only scratched the surface in this course on the subjects of security and privacy. Hopefully, you’ll be a little more aware by the end of this course on what the bad guys do and how to protect yourself.

On the subject of open-source software, I found this application a month or so ago called OpenOffice but haven’t tried it yet. It’s basically an open-source version of the Microsoft Office suite. It’s free to download, and they post developer mods and the rules for sharing improvements on their web page. If you know the C++ programming language, you’re good to go. If not, you could probably pick up how the open-source development process works by poking around the web site.

Have a good weekend!

A “Phish-erman’s Special”

The Federal Trade Commission is warning that the increased paranoia about the economy could lead to scam artists trying to masquerade as a competitor’s bank taking over your current bank and claiming to need your account information to gain access. Phishing scams pretend to be legitimate requests for private information that are perpetrated by criminals. Some examples from their press release:

If the recent changes in the financial marketplace have you confused, you’re not alone. The financial institution where you did business last week may have a new name today, and your checks and statements may come with a new look tomorrow. A new lender may have acquired your mortgage, and you could be mailing your payments to a new servicer. Procedures for the banking you do online also may have changed. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, the upheaval in the financial marketplace may spur scam artists to phish for your personal information.

Phishers (pronounced “fishers’) may send attention-getting emails that look like they’re coming from the financial institution that recently acquired your bank, savings and loan, or mortgage. Their intent is to collect or capture your personal information, like your credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information. Their messages may ask you to “update,” “validate,” or “confirm” your account information. For example, you may see messages like:

• “We recently purchased ABC Bank. Due to concerns for the safety and integrity of our new online banking customers, we have issued this warning message… Please follow the link below to renew your account information.”
• “We recently acquired the mortgage on your home and are in the process of validating account information. Please click here to update and verify your information.”
• “During our acquisition of XYZ Savings & Loan, we experienced a data breach. We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account. To ensure that your account is not compromised, please click the link below to confirm your identity.”

The messages direct you to a website that looks like the actual site of your new financial institution or lender. But it isn’t. It’s a bogus site whose purpose is to trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can steal your identity and run up bills or commit other crimes in your name.

Government and Kingdom Ministries

Here is kind of an additional point to tack on to what I talked about yesterday. While we may think of ministers as the people who lead various ministries throughout our church, it does not mean that we have to have an official title to be ministers ourselves.

In many regions of the world “ministers” are public servants. Their civil “ministry” is to act in behalf of a government department that operates from a building that in turn is referred to as “the Ministry”…

So, one question is whether, from God’s point of view, being a member of the Christian clergy is more of a ministry than serving Christ and others in any other honest job or profession– including those of us who are temporarily or permanently unemployed, disabled, or retired…

We have every reason to believe that a housekeeper who serves Christ from the heart while changing the bed sheets, cleaning the bathroom, and polishing the mirrors is as much of a minister in God’s eyes as those “ordained” professionals who also have been entrusted with the responsibility of serving the family of God by their example, words, and love.