No tech that can't be abused

[jducoeur]

*Sigh*. It is depressing to realize that I am beginning to want not just anti-virus for my phone, but anti-malware filters for my text messages. I just got a text that is a *screamingly* obvious phishing spam, but I suspect a lot of people will fall for it anyway...

Comments

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

I want a remote detonation switch that works on malware senders.

And that includes Grandma's Friends who forward heartwarming stories about urban myths and various stereotypes. Goodbye Grandma's Friend's Computer.

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

Interesting to me, on Android, I have installed Lookout. It can pre-screen calls before you make them, and tell you if you are returning a call to a known spammer.

It does not filter incoming email, text or calls. I have a dynamic caller ID program that shows the originating location for calls - but that is only useful SOMETIMES.

[jducoeur]

What does the dynamic caller ID do? I was flabbergasted when we dealt with caller ID at Convoq, and I discovered that normal caller ID is, on a technical level, essentially meaningless -- if you know what you're doing, you can make it show more or less anything. One of the few major technical systems that appals me even worse than the financial system...

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

It shows the geo-location of the ostensible ID on the call.

True that said ID may be completely bogus... sigh.

It affects my behavior in the following way. If a call comes in from a known number, I take it. If it comes from the local area, I am likely to take it. If it comes from a geo-location I have recently called, I take it.

If not, generally, I don't answer, and send to voice mail, and I check that. If there is no voice mail, I return the call through Lookout to see if it is a known spammer.

One phone spammer was calling with caller ID from around the country, and it was up to 2-3 a day. I got defensive.