Blackie's home

My rabbit's home~

~Jotting down my memories, creating new life's chapter~

Facebook ID fraud

I have heard about the security glitches of ever-popular social networking site - facebook, but have not concerned me until i read on identity theft issue.

The article can be extracted from: Facebook users face ID fraud posted on 26 Oct 2007.

The risk of fraudster using your private information to create bank accounts, loan statements etc is very real.

Consider the following scenarios that are done through phone confirmations:

1. Mobile plan: You want to upgrade/ downgrade your plan. Add additional services.
2. Insurance plan: 3rd party affiliates from banks will call up to introduce you to their new policies.
3. Credit Accounts: Banks will call up to confirm creation of accounts.

These are the scenarios that i have been through, that will request for your name, date of birth and address for identification. All these information are readily available especially when users entered full entry in their profile. In addition, the ignorant users just put their profile openly in google search; fraudsters happily create account using these information for criminal acts. As a form of prevention, some agencies heighten security by requesting for identification number and secret questions to undermine fraudsters' plots.

However, i feel that protecting ourselves against identity theft is our responsibility. Some ways to enhance security and mitigate identity theft

• remove private data from facebook profile entry [safest]
• change the privacy status to yourself or your frienz
  

Ignorant will only cause your own demise.

~Jotting down my memories, creating new life's chapter~

Another week over

Another day, another week, another month and before I know it... I have been with my company for 3 months already! Wow that's fast.

From a motivator to a professional slacker now! Haiz. All thanks to the hiccups ranging from waiting for clearance, waiting for recruitment of project mate, waiting for the project mate's clearance. And when all's done, i will be back in camp doing my first ICT. Thus, officially i will start work in Jan 2008.

On the bright side, i get a longer honeymoon period, while those who started work with me have long attached to their projects. In addition, i got the chance to search for entertainment to kill my boredom. Those sites that are not blocked by my company's firewall are:

• Facebook
• Wholivesnearyou
• MSN (through using snimmer)
• hardwarezone forum
• stomp

This pretty much shows how extremely bored i am.

Lucky, i went for 2 courses conducted by NUS ISS:

• Object Oriented Programming in C++
• Object Oriented Analysis and Design

Personally, for those who are into software development field like me, i will strongly encourage you to attend the courses. It is conducted in a practical manner and most information will be useful in the project development.

There are numerous courses conducted by ISS (certified courses, short courses, online learning etc). Actually, thinking about taking part-time masters programme! BUT, not now though. Haiz.

http://www.iss.nus.edu.sg/iss/index.jsp

~Jotting down my memories, creating new life's chapter~

Donut Craze again!

i was craving for some donuts today, thus, i bought 1/2 dozen of Dippin' Donuts fromVivo City to try. As the craze is more or less over, there is no need to queue. Presentation of the donuts is not as appealing as donut factory, most of the donut are out of shape. Taste wise, the donuts are soft and spongy... Yummy! I tried the chocolate delight and the strawberry topped donut. Well overall rating, i will fancy Donut factory donut over Dippin' Donuts. For more information: Donut Factory Dippin' Donut

Dippin' Donut is previously known as Vinco: The donut Parlour

~Jotting down my memories, creating new life's chapter~

My Pet Rabbit Blackie busy schedule~

Breed: I not sure leh!
Age: 2+ months
DOB: 19 Aug 2007
Name: Blackie [coz it is black]
Pet Home: Gex Cage from Pet Lovers'
Food Source: Vitakraft Menu Vital, Timothy 2nd Cut Hay, Milk, Apple [An apple a day keeps doc away]

My new home ~ candid shot

My first love ~ Timothy 2nd Cut!

More Hay, more hay~ i dun like food!

Like my hay eating pose!

I am tall, dun you know~

Nice Poo... Yummy~

Act Cool!

After a long day! Stretch and Relax~

Special thanks to Rachel for such a wonderful clever rabbit ~

Batam Getaway

Well, consider my very first Indonesia archipelago trip. The planning was done 2 weeks before the departure [13 - 14 Oct 2007], thus wasn’t able to secure the Batam (Harris – Spa Rejuvenating package), however, only manage to get a normal summer package @ S$85.
[The Batam/Harris – Spa Rejuvenating package @ S$138]

Oops, abit a hermit crab though, sad to say it is my virgin ride on ferry, apart from the ferry to Sentosa. Well, the ride takes around 30 – 40 minutes. However, being the first time, and we went in quite late, the air-conditioned cabin was fully packed, so I decided to take the roof open-air cabin. Ironically, I made the worst choice, as the whole 40mins, I am inhaling exhaust fumes equivalent to my 1 year intake. What the hell? Other than the exhaust fumes that fume my agony, the ferry ride was great! Small islands of greenery come into view with cool gushing breeze brushing across your face, the feeling is exhilarating.

We alighted at WaterFront City Jetty. I would like to compliment Harris service for collecting our passport to process which greatly cuts down the waiting time for queue. Although I feel unsecure, I gave the guide the passports in the end. [Not really sure what they will do to our passport]

First impression of Harris Resort, is so-so as compared to the photo on their website; computer graphics enhancement. In terms of service, I will say they will attend to our needs with a smile, with greetings by most of their staff when we pass by. Whilst they are quite weak in communicate in English, we spent quite sometime to get our needs through. Overall, the building structure looks nice with colourful exterior and cosy deluxe room that faces the sea. However, the location of the spa is quite run down, with construction poles lying around. The building looks like it is going to demolish anytime.

Other than that everything is great! The spa service we went to is at Marina Spa, we tried Indonesia Massage as they can only spare us an hour time slot. First time trying the aromatherapy and oil massage, the slow press kick start my Zzzz monsters in no time.

Other place we went is to Nagoya Hill through a taxis ride of S$13. Quite an eyeful opener, as we see bikes carrying 4 passengers and very old 10+ years’ cars that can be scrapped anytime, and not forgetting snail vehicle [due to overpack]. Nagoya Town is about a half hour ride. Quite interestingly, it was well developed, and there is lots of eatery such as A&W, Godiva Coffee, BFC, KFC and so on... Shopping as well, there are outlets like addidas, push carts. Something like our centrepoint.

The last day, we went for sea sports! Cool huh~ Was thinking to try parasailing, cable ski... In the end, realise that we dun have enough cash on hand, to drill down to banana boat (S$8 pax) and jet ski ($45 for 20mins). Overall, it is fun and exciting. For me, it is the first time to control a miniature motorboat! Although, I was unable to control it well, it is a nice feeling to feel to wind gushing on you with the max throttle speed. ~haha.

My Rating
Overall ~ 7.57
Rooms ~ 7
Service ~ 8
Value ~ 9
Cleanliness ~ 8
Pool ~ 7
Ambience ~ 8 [Nice getaway for those love the sea and nature]
Others ~ 6 [Harris lobby and cafe does not switch on its air-con most of the time]

One important thing to note is you do not need to change to rupiah, as all charges are reflected in SGD. If you are visiting their town like Nagoya, you can change minimal at Waterfront City Jetty.