I wanted to post one more this morning.. This time on super safe web surfing, a LOT of people I know do a HUGE amount of research online, I use twitter a lot for sources and finding the hot story. But I have a trick up my sleeve..

I am not saying I have NEVER gotten infected by malware or virus infection but I have NOT gotten infected in MANY years..

There are four key tools in safe surfing..

1. Host file! from http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm Never heard of it, I am not surprised! But if you use a PC a host file can be your BEST friend. There are some serious advantages to having a host file and a few downsides..
   1. Your host file is NOT software, it cannot crash and can rarely be attacked directly. It is a PART of your operating system. Once you install it, it becomes the primary filter ALL incoming and outgoing traffic flows though.
   2. You can modify it! You can add your own lines to it.. If you have some computer skills this is KEY to knowing how to get around the down sides..
   3. It is proven to work.. How do I know this.. I have been using it for 6 years! And since I installed it and kept it up to date I have NEVER been infected.
   4. Its fun to use the internet with out all the ads.. Now this is a touchy thing for many. The host file DOES remove or disable MOST adds the only exception is locally hosted adds.  So if you own your own website consider installing your OWN ad serving software. This way people know your site is secure.
   5. The DOWNSIDE to this “add removal” is that you may encounter some problems with some websites. Corporate media sites like ABC.com etc.. which show you ads in between your videos.. will not work correctly and you will need to modify the file to allow for those site. Likewise some personals sites do not work with a host file.. These are usually of the darker side and include some form of pornography. Advertisements but many of them are KNOWN to infect the end users computer (that’s you)
2. ANTI VIRUS SOFTWARE.. I have used AVG for YEARS.. I trust it.. And if you keep it up to date.. the free version + the host file will serve you well..
3. Common sense.. Oh yeah.. if I open a website and things start blinking and flashing at me.. or I see pornographic ads I close the site ASAP!
4. BACKUP! I have a anti-malware program installed on my computer and I keep it up-to-date.. I prefer to use Malwarebytes software it can detect and kill most any malware infection.  IF YOU KEEP IT UP TO DATE!

When you really want to get secure (nothing is 100% by the way, unless you have some serious skills and even then) and I don’t think anyone should really be this paranoid anyway.. Then you use a proxy site like Startpage.com or http://anonymouse.org/ these sites let you surf and search the internet in the dark by rerouting over and over your personal computer address or IP address though various computers around the globe.. this works well for some things and not so well for others..

I DOT NO RECOMMEND USING THIS FOR ANY KIND OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY these suggestions are meant to protect you from hackers NOT from the law!

Lastly If you want TRUE privacy.. Log off! Because the age of privacy wither we like it or not.. has past..

Just my two cents.. Happy surfing folks..

Ps.. you can take it to the next level.. http://pcplus.techradar.com/disasterproof6 OR just borrow your friends computer and let him deal with the blow back.. JK

So I just finished cleansing my house.. of CLF light bulbs.. (compact florescent) You know, those twisty ones.. I have been using them for about 6 years now, and I have to say that I have had enough. Recently another 150w CFL nearly caught fire in my home, there was toxic smoke and internal fire but everything was contained. Over the last 6 years this has happened quite a few times  and my concern grows over their safety..

Audience: What does this have to survival or being prepared..

Me: Hold on, I’m getting to that..

I have three wonderful children and every hazard they could encounter makes my concern grow for the world they are in. I wish it was easier for me to just take them back to pioneer times when all they had to deal with was killer animals and horrible disease & infections; instead of technology, commercialism and GMO foods etc..

I have been researching A LOT recently on the dark side of CFL light bulbs.. Find a list at the bottom of this page.  I have decided that I have really had it.. A recent episode of the survival podcast l Jack had a wonderful guest (Paul Wheaton) on that talked about the REAL cost of creating CFL bulbs along with a array of other factors. But the cost breakdown hit home with me.. I encourage you to listen to it..

Now I am not saying incandescent bulbs are the environmental solution I think there is great hope for LED technology just at this time.. I cannot afford $30.00 light bulbs .

Okay onto the prepping subject..

So in the next few years its going start being VERY hard to get your hands on incandescent light bulbs..  So I say stock up now! Take advantage of retailer discounts and local coupons to stuff your cupboards with healthy light..

Jack sparko and Paul Wheaton’s Podcast.. http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/paul-wheaton-on-cast-iron-cooking-cfls-and-rocket-mass-heating

MSNBC on CFL’s and evnormental waste.. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23694819/ns/us_news-environment/t/shining-light-hazards-fluorescent-bulbs/

Scientific American http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=are-compact-fluorescent-lightbulbs-dangerous

“As effective as it is at enabling white light, however, mercury—sometimes called quicksilver—is also highly toxic. It is especially harmful to the brains of both fetuses and children. That’s why officials have curtailed or banned its use in applications from thermometers to automotive and thermostat switches. (A single thermostat switch, still common in many homes, may contain 3,000 milligrams (0.1 ounce) of mercury, or as much as 600 compact fluorescents.)”

Another Great article http://www.threedonia.com/archives/10595

http://www.wattworks.com/CFL%20Hazards.htm

“Bulb end-of-life hazards: When CFLs burn out they can create acrid plastic smoke and carcinogenic fumes. Those bulbs without an internal fuse will melt or smoke until power is turned off. 90% of these bulbs are currently manufactured in China where quality control is questionable.”

Catastrophe Network and The American Preparedness Radio Network (TAPRN) have teamed up to create a Standardized Amateur Radio Prepper Communications Plan. This plan outlines a standard set of frequencies that should be used by all preppers following a catastrophic disaster. These frequencies will serve as a meeting point where information about the event can be shared and actions between like minded preppers can be communicated.

This plan will not and cannot work if it is not widely publicized in the prepper community! All preppers must know and understand these frequencies in order for them to become common meeting points. This is your call to action, if you are a licensed Amateur Radio operator and a prepper, please spread the word about this new communications plan. Tweet about it, blog about it, and most of all…share the document!

Click here to download a copy of the Standardized Amateur Radio Prepper Communications Plan.

IF THIS LINK DOES NOT WORK EMAIL ME I HAVE A COPY

The following are the frequencies that have been designated by Catastrophe Network and the The American Preparedness Radio Network (TAPRN):

• 80 Meters – 3.818 MHz LSB (TAPRN Net: Sundays at 9 PM ET)
• 40 Meters – 7.242 MHz LSB
• 40 Meters Digital – 7.073 MHz USB PSK-31 (TAPRN Net: Sundays at 7:30 PM ET)
• 20 Meters – 14.242 MHz USB
• 2 Meters – 146.420 MHz FM

Aside from the TAPRN nets held on 3.818 and their digital net on 7.073, formal prepper nets will not be held on these frequencies. However, future exercises and drills may be held on-air between preppers and preppers are encouraged to use these frequencies to coordinate activities. Along the same lines, during catastrophes, it is unlikely that a formal net control will be established. The Standardized Amateur Radio Prepper Communications Planoutlines protocols for calling and communicating with other preppers.

This is a repost for http://www.catastrophenetwork.org/ simply to share the information.