The Computer Dudes Inc

Quantum Computers are here... So now cutting edge programmers  need to learn Q# for the hottest jobs programming quantum computers.  Here is a recent post by Microsoft on learning Q# for use with their databases and other projects.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/quantum/qsharp-overview

If you have other good stories or resources on learning Q# please share them in comments below this post.

Thanks,
Todd W. Byars
Computer Dudes
Global Operations and Services
Homebase: Tallahassee, Florida

The Crowdstrike Disaster took the United States and some of its largest companies by surprise. 

The story begins years ago as Executives in many large companies fired their CIO, CISO, and Senior IT Engineers and Administrators.   These Executives have huge pay but really do not pay attention to their companies or their computers.   In their mind they thought they had found a "Cheaper" way to automate their computer systems for security, upgrades, maintenance, and backups.

They then gave  themselves raises.

They were wrong as the recent events show.

For a better explanation on what happened - from the technical viewpoint, of a former Microsoft Employee who worked on all Microsoft Operating Systems follow the link to my friend - Daves Video On Your Tube:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAzEJxOo1ts   

After additional research Dave made a Second Video discussing in depth some of the issues and solutions.   Here is a link to that Video also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHrayP-Y71Q   

The long and short of it is to not use automated systems to maintain your networks AND rehire Your Company's Top Tech People, from the Network Administrators, the Engineers, the CISO and a CIO - THEN listen to what they have to say.

None of Computer Dudes clients were affected because we use Command Line Interfaces instead of Automated Control Consoles.   Also most of our servers and workstations are Linux which run Microsoft or other Products as Virtual Machines, VM's.   We also keep a Virtual Machine Library - so if one VM get corrupted, hacked or crashes we delete the damaged VM and replace it with the Same VM from the VM Library.

Virtual Machine Library's can reside on Severs and / or Workstations.

Also we do not use Clouds which may be less expensive in the short term - but are easily hacked as we have seen in almost all the major data breaches in the last 5 years.

More on this Story Later

Regards,
Todd W. Byars
Computer Dudes Global Operations and Aerospace 

Ransomware and "Fake Invoices" are going around again.

Don't fall for the Fake Invoices - do not answer them, do not call the number they list. Delete the email. Call the store or bank using their NORMAL number found on the back of their Credit Card or Main Website if you need verification the invoice was fake.

The best defense against ransomware?

Computer Dudes usually recommend backups on USB drives - one USB drive for each day of the week.

Also - most of the time up to date antiviruses and anti-malware software will stop or block ransomware.  Switching to a Linux operating system and - Air Gapping your business computers are another option.

Cyber Criminals are criminals so I generally recommend you NOT pay them.

The recent movie "The Beekeeper" it is about ransomware and criminal hacker groups targeting the elderly and gaining full access to their computers and finances.  The article following this one on our website discusses the movie in greater detail.

Backups, Anti-Virus, and Air Gapping are much less expensive.

Regards
Todd
Computer Dudes

One of my more recent posts on Computers and Security included using older equipment and air gapping.

So I found it interesting tonight to see it portrayed on  "The Beekeeper," Jason Statham' newest movie.

While the movie is largely fiction - there is also an accurate portrayal of the way people hack peoples computers and steal their money.

It is also accurate that those who run viruses, and call rooms, DO TARGET the elderly, the weak, and anyone they can fool.

How to be safe.  If a security notice pops up on your computer, and someone calls you - turn off the computer, by holding down the power button and then unplugging the computer and if its a laptop remove the battery..  Then note the number and hang up.

Then call someone you trust - and discuss contacting Law Enforcement.   If Law Enforcement cannot help - then call a local to you Computer Services and Repair Company.

Also call your financial institutions and banks to have them manually change your security / passwords. When they ask about the reason tell them - possible fraud.

Other tips for safety.  Never use the same password on all accounts. Never save your account information and passwords on your computer AND most importantly - use strong passwords. 

For important accounts and financial accounts use two factor authentication - which is usually your computer and your cell phone.   Also change your passwords on a regular basis.  Your Bank and Online Financial Companies will also have advice on how to stay safe.    Many banks and financial groups flag and halt illicit activity - if this happens call the phone number on the back of your Credit / Debit Card or the Number to your bank or financial institution.   Do NOT call any numbers suggested in an email or "computer virus" alert.

Your best protection is to "Be Aware" and "Research Computer Security" yourself. Protect yourself and your relatives, including your children, the elderly, your family, your friends and your employees by discussing, passwords, fraud, conmen, and computer security.

Last thing - in the movie a person harms themselves believing nothing could be done to recover their money and photos. This is not true!  Do not harm yourself, or others - contact your financial institutions, law enforcement and private attorneys.   In most cases all the funds can be recovered, or are covered under financial institution security and insurance.

Do not restart your computer until after you have made some of the contacts listed above.  

Regards and Be Safe,

Todd W. Byars
Computer Dudes
Global Operations and Security

Day One Post - COVID 19 - Is Survivable, especially if you got the vaccinations.    

I have recovered from the latest variant of COVID 19 and my 10 days of quarantine ended today!!   The vaccines and updates work and I did not require hospitalization.   Researching COVID 19 and its new variant allowed me to recover with only a doctors guidance and over the counter meds.

If you can avoid COVID 19 and other Illnesses - but if you do get sick - know that you can recover.   Good health is the ultimate "Good News."

Day Two Post - New Solutions to Global Pollution and Warming

Computer Dudes Research on Drone guided balloons, tethered balloons, and PLANTING Trees have resulted in several a solution to Global Pollution and Warming.

We began today by selecting Eight sites on 2 properties  for tree planting - sun level testing complete, soil testing in progress. The first tree will be an apple tree planted in view of Computer Dudes workshop on my property in Tallahassee, Florida.

Day Three Post - 800 Watt per Panel, Solar Panels

Solar Panels have evolved from heavy aluminum framed panels that generate up to 100 Watts of Power per hour - to Thin Flexible Panels that require no frame, are very light, can be used in temporary or permanent placement generating - 800 Watts per panel.

The new panels are much less expensive, made of a thin plastic, and can be shredded for recycling at the end of their service life.

We have used them to power Air Conditioners, Computers and even Off Grid Data Centers 

Ten Days of Good News, Day Four - Optics, Smaller Medical Devices and Medical Watches.

Optics is the Science of Light.  Light is used in a scientific instrument called a spectrometer.  Spectrometers measure light and changes to light once the light hits and form of matter.  Medical devices use the science of optics in many sensors.

The Medical Watch on my arm uses a small spectrometer to determine blood oxygen level, sugar level, and blood chemistry without drawing blood.
Medical watches now give all the information one receives in an Emergency Room hooked up to a number of machines as well as blood tests.

The Computer Dudes is one of millions of companies testing and developing the technology and improving the technology
The watches are already helping millions improve their health.

The future is Bright! (forgive the Optics pun) -

Ten Days of Good News, Day Five - Computers

The first computers I worked and trained on were huge, often the size of a dining room.   The first PC's were also large and required heavy CRT type monitors.

Todays computers are our Cell Phones.   More powerful than the early computers and with integrated sensors and communication systems as well as HD Cameras and other features.  As we progress into 2024 - 2025 our computers are becoming our wrist watches.     Small, portable, often waterproof, programmable and powerful - they run off their internal batteries for days or weeks.    Small powerful computers are the good news for Day Five.    Even as I write this I can envision even smaller computers including those in medical devices.

These improvements in computers benefit all mankind and are being carried into Space with us.

Ten Days of Good News, Day Six - HD Cameras

The improvement and availability of HD Cameras needs little discussion - the CONTENT and HISTORY being captured by Billions of People around the United States and World are the good news.

From my recent trip up and down the East Coast my photography shows a Nation with many different ethic groups, races, religions and sexual orientations ALL together happy - celebrating their freedoms.

Those photos are now part of American History and disprove most of the negativity posted in the media.   While there are still many fake and deep fake photos and videos the HD photos and Videos are very difficult to spoof.    The volume and number of sources of HD Photos and Videos shared and posted across the internet and in person record and show the truth.

Ten Days of Good News, Day Seven - The Economy

In spite of all the negativity from the press and the politicians the Economy in the US is "Hot Hot Hot!"  I have never seen so much new construction and so many people employed since before COVID.

Inflation seems to be under control and although people still complain about money - every Starbucks and Chick-fil-a has both drive throughs full out onto the street.

I sincerely hope you, my friends, have a good job or career and are getting the pay and benefits you deserve.  If you don't keep looking, I think hiring will pick up again after the Election. :)

Ten Days of Good News, Day Eight - USB, SSHD and Portable Hard Drives

If you had told me even ten years ago that I could store Terabytes of information on a USB Drive or SSHD that is smaller than my wallet, I would have asked you what you were smoking.
Today they are a reality and even come in metal cases that are many colors and shapes to help identify the data stored on them.

Ten Days of Good News, Day Nine - UPS - Uninterruptible Power Supply

When you live anywhere there is a power grid - especially here in Florida - expect power outages and even for the power to blink on and off for no apparent reason

If you had told me even ten years ago that I could store Terabytes of information on a USB Drive or SSHD that is smaller than my wallet, I would have asked you what you were smoking.
Today they are a reality and even come in metal cases that are many colors and shapes to help identify the data stored on them.

Originally the standard was for the UPS to give the User 10 minutes to shut down. Now UPS units act as surge protectors and give low power use computers up to an hour to work and shut down.

Ten Days of Good News, Day Ten - Electric Bikes and Offroad Vehicles.

The new electric bicycles would certainly be adored by the Wright Brothers (who built bikes into airplanes).
I like the way one can pedal and use the bike like those from my childhood but at the same time it recharges the battery.

Electric Golf Carts and Offroad Vehicles are awesome too.
All of these help get a person outside of the house, or off the couch and provide many days of fun and adventures.

Todd W. Byars, Computer Dudes, Tallahassee, Florida :)

One of my favorite things to do as a Computer Dudes Engineer is working on projects with groups from all over the world.

In the past few year a Software for Portible Phones and computers named: Android Team Awareness Kit, ATAK.

One of the groups we work with is out of Northern Europe and they have enhanced to portability, communications, extended maps which can be accessed where there is no phone or network communications.

This group has done the most work, and we contributed advice on using Shielded Wire and low DC voltages for safe secure communications.

The group is called Resilience Theater. Below are some links to their work including a how to "Wiki."

First find and follow Resilience Theater on LinkedIn -  as the group posts fresh updates - as well as adding new followers daily.

Here is their Wiki which gives instruction on the systems, sensors, and advanced options for any TAK system.

Start Here with the project overview and systems created to enhance ATAK systems    https://resilience-theatre.com/wiki/

Some of the most interesting and useful functions are: "Edgemap," which is a map database on a chip or single-board computer like a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5. Those computers use 5 Volts DC and cannot be detected, especially if you use Shielded CAT 5 or 6 Cables.

Resilience Theater also created an encrypted Push To Talk, PTT, system.

Here is their link to Edgemap. https://resilience-theatre.com/edgemap/

In North Florida these systems are used by Forest Ranger, Forest Fire Fighters, People with Off Road vehicles and even people on vacation to they do not get lost.

We would like to say "Well Done" and "Keep up the good work!" to all those working at Resilience Theater, as well as the many who contribute knowledge and share net techniques. Thank you for doing such nice work.

Your friend,

Todd W. Byars
Computer Dudes
Global Operations and Security

#computerdudes #resiliancetheater #atak #sensors #security #edgemap #ptt #sensornets