Old Dogs, New Tricks!

A little over a year ago I decided to go back to school to finish my Computer Science degree.  That’s nothing really exciting, several people are doing this.  The interesting thing is that I am doing this after a 52 semester break.

I had interviewed for a few jobs and had great success until the HR Manager got to the “Where did you get your degree?” part.  Now mind you I have been around computers since the late 70’s and have a bit of experience.  When I told them I had no degree they would politely tell me that they had no job for me.  Needless to say I didn’t want to stock shelves or flip burgers for the rest of my life, not that these aren’t important jobs, but they are just not for me.

I am lucky in that I can go back to school, not everybody can.  If you are one of the unlucky ones and do have Computer knowledge and experience but are missing the “needed” degree maybe Industry Certifications might help get you that job you are looking for.

Industry organization CompTIA is promoting a new program to promote technology certifications--including a specific program called "Getting America Back to Work" targeting unemployed IT workers.
"The current employment market for high-tech workers can best be described as a paradox," said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA in a statement. "At a time when unemployment is at its highest level in more than a quarter century, hiring managers struggle to fill tens of thousands of jobs requiring certain high-tech skills."

Read more here.

With this info,

Safer Surfing!

Using Social Media? Get Your Guard Up!

You love to keep your family and friends informed of what’s going on in your life.  You are on Myspace, Twitter and Facebook.  How much do you know about those people wanting to be friends or follow you?  The  Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center, released an Intelligence Note 0n Oct. 1.

Fraudsters continue to hijack accounts on social networking
sites and spread malicious software by using various techniques. One technique involves the use of spam to promote phishing sites, claiming there has been a violation of the terms of agreement or some other type of issue which needs to be resolved. Other spam entices users to download an application or view a video.  Some spam appears to be sent from users' "friends", giving the perception of being
legitimate. Once the user responds to the phishing site, downloads the application, or clicks on the video link, their computer, telephone or other digital device becomes infected.

Read more here.

With that Info,

Safer Surfing!