Air Canada phishing email with subject Confirmation

For the record, this is a Health Care Pronto phishing email attempt that is recently going around, with subject "Confirmation"

What to do?  Report them, goto bottom of page. 

From : $500.AirCanada GiftCard.Confirmation  <quyenkem21082001@gmail.com> Subject : Confirmation

PHISHING LINKs;

1. https://us11.besteml.com/ru/mail_link_tracker?xxxx

How to tell this is a Phishing email ?

1. Check email address in full, if it's not from originating company then it's phishing.
2. Hover over images and all links in email, if it's not from the company's website then forget it. 

How to examine Email Message Source?

Now let's look at message source

1. Outlook.com->Actions->View Message Source. 
2. Gmail.com->More (down arrow to top right)->Show original.

Check for suspicious links, anything that does not originate from apple.com.

Report Phishing Email (not as Spam)

1. Outlook.com->Junk (at Top)->Phishing Scam
2. Gmail.com->More (down-arrow to top right)->Report Phishing 

Report Phishing

If you have received this email, take further 

1. https://www.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/

Report phishing at Microsoft and government agencies

1. http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/phishing-faq.aspx

Health Care Pronto phishing email with subject $0 Health Insurance Plans

For the record, this is a Health Care Pronto phishing email attempt that is recently going around, with subject "$0 Health Insurance Plans"

What to do?  Report them, goto bottom of page. 

From : HealthCarePronto Offer <alert@apipbest.com> Subject : $0 Health Insurance Plans

PHISHING LINKs;

1. https://health-blue2.s3.amazonaws.com/xxxxx

How to tell this is a Phishing email ?

1. Check email address in full, if it's not from originating company then it's phishing.
2. Hover over images and all links in email, if it's not from the company's website then forget it. 

How to examine Email Message Source?

Now let's look at message source

1. Outlook.com->Actions->View Message Source. 
2. Gmail.com->More (down arrow to top right)->Show original.

Check for suspicious links, anything that does not originate from apple.com.

Report Phishing Email (not as Spam)

1. Outlook.com->Junk (at Top)->Phishing Scam
2. Gmail.com->More (down-arrow to top right)->Report Phishing 

Report Phishing

If you have received this email, take further 

1. https://www.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/

Report phishing at Microsoft and government agencies

1. http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/phishing-faq.aspx

2023 OneDrive Direct Download Link Generator

Microsoft OneDrive Direct Download Link Generator

I get asked all the time to by my clients to provide a way to direct download URL to a file and NOT preview the file, especially if the file is large. It's often very confusing for novice users to have preview mode of file, such as PDF files which launch a separate user interface. Moreover, if the file is over 100Mb, the preview appears too slowly for most users, and they'll abandon the file.

So I came up with this mini "App", it takes a OneDrive Share Link and returns the direct download URL for that file.

Enjoy! The original download maker since 2014.

Microsoft OneDrive Direct File Download URL Maker

1. Right-click on item in Onedrive, Choose Embed.

For images, this does NOT work. Embed gives you the direct URL of the image (see below).

2. Click Generate button

3. Get Embed code from Onedrive as in picture above. i.e.: <iframe src="https://onedrive.live.com/embed?cid=8F99649728BEB2F3&resid=8F99649728BEB2F3%211010&authkey=AFo8ZQ_-qj84DEQ" width="98" height="120" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>  see instructions below, if you don't know how. NOTE : For images there an extra step below.

Copy Embed Code (red arrow 3) and paste into text-box below. Click Get embed link button. This will fill 3.1, then click Get Download Link.

This will produce, extract the File Embed Link which looks like: https://onedrive.live.com/embed?cid=8F99649728BEB2F3&resid=8F99649728BEB2F3%211010&authkey=AFo8ZQ_-qj84DEQ and populate the text-box below. To proceed click "Get Download Link" button.

3.1 Alternatively, you can paste (ctrl-v) your OneDrive File Embed Link in text-box below and click "Get Download Link" button below


4. Now, Click on Get Download Link button.

Text-box will be highlighted so you can copy the full link. To copy, right-click and choose  "Copy" or simply (ctrl-c) to copy link. Note: Entire URL is automatic selected for your convenience.

 


Now you can Paste (ctrl-v) and share the OneDrive Direct Download Link in your email ;)

For Images, you get a direct url

1. Right-click on image and select Embed. The Copy the URL to embed image now gives you direct download URL, but is super long.
   
   So you do not need to do the above! 

You can also remove everything after the ? 

https://wyztwg.by.files.1drv.com/y4mucnXH4ZIfty_kXg9nYvgjHKJMw-XkCLfcBvI7ipNMNidsCjSMyNcw4cFyNlB0WKO9M-VNquASIbFp9DlTJPrjpqk2ex4GmzoVcA_2OOAp1G1ZiGK_U_UPjmfTj_hmtd41HascgLLyjTbEKJlDzXfFhyOXPngJ_ovCRPxL14pt1B0er3HaJvRxjkpru0z85Wiua9JhMP-BvbADeKnISGTqQ?width=1082&height=539&cropmode=none

to

https://wyztwg.by.files.1drv.com/y4mucnXH4ZIfty_kXg9nYvgjHKJMw-XkCLfcBvI7ipNMNidsCjSMyNcw4cFyNlB0WKO9M-VNquASIbFp9DlTJPrjpqk2ex4GmzoVcA_2OOAp1G1ZiGK_U_UPjmfTj_hmtd41HascgLLyjTbEKJlDzXfFhyOXPngJ_ovCRPxL14pt1B0er3HaJvRxjkpru0z85Wiua9JhMP-BvbADeKnISGTqQ

Using OneDrive as a CDN

Bonus : For images, read Using OneDrive as a Content Delivery Network (CDN)  plausibility post.

Create Direct Download Link for OneDrive Files update 2023

Direct Download Link for OneDrive Files update 2023

I get asked all the time to by my clients to provide a way to direct download URL to a file and NOT preview the file, especially if the file is large. It's often very confusing for novice users to have preview mode of file, such as PDF files which launch a separate user interface. Moreover, if the file is over 100Mb, the preview appears too slowly for most users, and they'll abandon the file.

So I came up with this mini "App", it takes a OneDrive Share Link and returns the direct download URL for that file.

Enjoy! The original download maker since 2014.

Microsoft OneDrive Direct File Download URL Maker

1. Right-click on item in Onedrive, Choose Embed.

For images, this does NOT work. Embed gives you the direct URL of the image (see below).

2. Click Generate button

3. Get Embed code from Onedrive as in picture above. i.e.: <iframe src="https://onedrive.live.com/embed?cid=8F99649728BEB2F3&resid=8F99649728BEB2F3%211010&authkey=AFo8ZQ_-qj84DEQ" width="98" height="120" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>  see instructions below, if you don't know how. NOTE : For images there an extra step below.

Copy Embed Code (red arrow 3) and paste into text-box below. Click Get embed link button. This will fill 3.1, then click Get Download Link.

This will produce, extract the File Embed Link which looks like: https://onedrive.live.com/embed?cid=8F99649728BEB2F3&resid=8F99649728BEB2F3%211010&authkey=AFo8ZQ_-qj84DEQ and populate the text-box below. To proceed click "Get Download Link" button.

3.1 Alternatively, you can paste (ctrl-v) your OneDrive File Embed Link in text-box below and click "Get Download Link" button below


4. Now, Click on Get Download Link button.

Text-box will be highlighted so you can copy the full link. To copy, right-click and choose  "Copy" or simply (ctrl-c) to copy link. Note: Entire URL is automatic selected for your convenience.

 


Now you can Paste (ctrl-v) and share the OneDrive Direct Download Link in your email ;)

For Images, you get a direct url

1. Right-click on image and select Embed. The Copy the URL to embed image now gives you direct download URL, but is super long.
   
   So you do not need to do the above! 

You can also remove everything after the ? 

https://wyztwg.by.files.1drv.com/y4mucnXH4ZIfty_kXg9nYvgjHKJMw-XkCLfcBvI7ipNMNidsCjSMyNcw4cFyNlB0WKO9M-VNquASIbFp9DlTJPrjpqk2ex4GmzoVcA_2OOAp1G1ZiGK_U_UPjmfTj_hmtd41HascgLLyjTbEKJlDzXfFhyOXPngJ_ovCRPxL14pt1B0er3HaJvRxjkpru0z85Wiua9JhMP-BvbADeKnISGTqQ?width=1082&height=539&cropmode=none

to

https://wyztwg.by.files.1drv.com/y4mucnXH4ZIfty_kXg9nYvgjHKJMw-XkCLfcBvI7ipNMNidsCjSMyNcw4cFyNlB0WKO9M-VNquASIbFp9DlTJPrjpqk2ex4GmzoVcA_2OOAp1G1ZiGK_U_UPjmfTj_hmtd41HascgLLyjTbEKJlDzXfFhyOXPngJ_ovCRPxL14pt1B0er3HaJvRxjkpru0z85Wiua9JhMP-BvbADeKnISGTqQ

Using OneDrive as a CDN

Bonus : For images, read Using OneDrive as a Content Delivery Network (CDN)  plausibility post.

How to get Nvidia GeForce Driver 474.44 to run on Windows 7 - Digital signature fail

The latest Nvidia GeForce Driver 474.44 release on 06/26/2023 was released with a wrong certificate (probable for Windows 11) and was not recognized by Windows 7. This meant only 1 monitor worked in my dual monitor setup. 

In Device Manager, you get "Windows Cannot Verify the Digital Signature Error Code 52" if you check the driver installed for display adapters. 

If your single monitor does not appear you can start Windows and press F8 and choose Disable Driver Signature Enforcement. The below makes this permanent. 

How to get Nvidia GeForce Driver 474.44 to run on Windows 7

Unfortunately, you have to turn off driver signature verification, to clear this error. Windows indicates this by stating on your screens you are running in Windows in Test Mode.

Run in Windows in Test Mode

1. Press Start->Search->type  cmd  then right-click on the result and click Run as administrator. 
2. In the CMD window type or copy-paste
   
   

    bcdedit /set testsigning on
    bcdedit /set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS 
   

   
   * Try DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS but jury is out if this has affected in Windows 7
   
   
3. Restart PC.

Running in Test Mode Notes:

	Test Mode
installation	[+] set it and forget it
security	[-] always allows installation of other unsigned drivers, this allowance could be used to install malicious drivers that would be unsigned, this is a very rare possibility and should not be a problem for a system running an antivirus or if the user is cautious
additional setup	[-] watermark on desktop that requires additional steps in order to hide it
compatibility	[-] there are some applications, such as Battleye anticheat [1], that will not work while Windows is in Test Mode

Source : About Test Mode and Disable Driver Signature Enforcement (maxedtech.com) - remove Test Mode on screen as well

Note: Sometimes I have to double boot, 1st time driver does not take, next boot it does ;(

Elon Musk's ESaverWatt phishing email with subject FW: Your Key to Lowering Your Electricity Costs

For the record, this is a Elon Musk's ESaverWatt phishing email attempt that is recently going around, with subject "FW: Your Key to Lowering Your Electricity Costs"

What to do?  Report them, goto bottom of page. 

From : -ElonPower- <guest.mail@wdw.disneyonline.com> Subject : FW: Your Key to Lowering Your Electricity Costs

PHISHING LINKs;

1. https://etn.xetnghiemnipt.com.vn/?xxxx

How to tell this is a Phishing email ?

1. Check email address in full, if it's not from originating company then it's phishing.
2. Hover over images and all links in email, if it's not from the company's website then forget it. 

How to examine Email Message Source?

Now let's look at message source

1. Outlook.com->Actions->View Message Source. 
2. Gmail.com->More (down arrow to top right)->Show original.

Check for suspicious links, anything that does not originate from apple.com.

Report Phishing Email (not as Spam)

1. Outlook.com->Junk (at Top)->Phishing Scam
2. Gmail.com->More (down-arrow to top right)->Report Phishing 

Report Phishing

If you have received this email, take further 

1. https://www.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/

Report phishing at Microsoft and government agencies

1. http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/phishing-faq.aspx

JG Wentworth phishing email with subject Credit Card Debt Relief

For the record, this is a CarID phishing email attempt that is recently going around, with subject "Fw: your package is ready to ship!"

What to do?  Report them, goto bottom of page. 

From : JG Wentworth<custom@uyengarden.com> Subject : Credit Card Debt Relief

PHISHING LINKs;

1. https://cdn.uyengarden.com/1wnmudLv/xxxx?xxxx.html

How to tell this is a Phishing email ?

1. Check email address in full, if it's not from originating company then it's phishing.
2. Hover over images and all links in email, if it's not from the company's website then forget it. 

How to examine Email Message Source?

Now let's look at message source

1. Outlook.com->Actions->View Message Source. 
2. Gmail.com->More (down arrow to top right)->Show original.

Check for suspicious links, anything that does not originate from apple.com.

Report Phishing Email (not as Spam)

1. Outlook.com->Junk (at Top)->Phishing Scam
2. Gmail.com->More (down-arrow to top right)->Report Phishing 

Report Phishing

If you have received this email take further 

1. https://www.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/

Report phishing at Microsoft and government agencies

1. http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/phishing-faq.aspx

Wingdings character set and equivalent Unicode characters using Unicode Interpolator app

Unicode Interpolator is a new power tool from Plaintext Clipboard PowerTool https://clipboardplaintextpowertool.blogspot.com that finally allows you to search the Unicode code base for "Webdings". Now you can search individual character names in the "Webdings" category as well to refine your search. 

It's a great tool check it out.