Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Hackers-R-Us - Openprovider.com

 A few days ago, I read a Cybersecurity blog post about trusting Freenom, a domain registrar that handles .cf, .ga, .gq, .ml, and .tk TLD's (top level domains).  Suddenly, we have an account that receives a message :

    
    284892930
    We recently contacted you to inform that our verification system can't verif your payment in MyVerizon-your app.
    please update payment information manually to avoid limitations on your_service.
    cphrc.org/?o&Vz0N6ZvH
    

This message comes through the registrar, openprovider.com, not freenom, and appears to fully be a phishing attempt for mobile account take over (cphrc.org

    
    user@workstation:~$ whois cphrc.org|grep -i registrar:
    Registrar: Hosting Concepts B.V. d/b/a Registrar.eu
    user@workstation:~$
    

The registration appears to be done through a third party registrar with an .eu top-level domain, and that indicates this domain came through Europe.  A European registration trying to handle a United States mobile account is not just a red flag, but an impossible-to-pass hurdle for me.  The standard abuse forms have been filled out in order to shut it down quickly.

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Trying a Trailer Toolkit

 Tsk, tsk, tsk! As soon as you get a new tool, you start really playing with it to see how useful it can be.  Enter the laser "engraver".  I ordered some thin sheets of ABS (and some 1/4" for backing), and used the laser to cut out some thin profiles, and to mark the thicker stuff.  Then, I bolted it together.

The M3 threaded rod was trimmed to length (three were left longer than normal so that I could lock it together).  I added some butyl rubber feet on the bottom to clear the M3 nuts on the bottom end so I didn't scratch anything up (epoxied to the ABS, and then a second layer applied with superglue).

And closed, it holds it (even vertically) fairly well.


You should know, I really needed an organizer for the custom tools that I would require for a trailer.  The hitch is an E2 hitch, and everything for the temporary work on the trailer (except for lug nut sockets - I still need to get those) in an emergency is now easily accessible.

Thumb screws to finish it, and it fits perfectly and keeps it all together!  I'll use a portable socket set (one of those cheap craftsman variants), and have the basic tools required.

So far, my tools :

  • 1/2" Breaker bar
  • 1/2" drive ratchet
  • Adapters to allow 1/2" tools to work with smaller sockets (turning my 1/2" drive ratchet into a 1/4" and 3/8" drive)
  • Screwdriver
  • 1/2" drive lug wrench
  • 1/2" drive extension
  • Screw driver bits
  • Lug nut sockets (harbor freight has some really cool double-ended ones that I already keep in the truck, and I'll get another set)
  • Some battery chargers and cheap harbor freight cordless tools
  • Torque wrench

Nice!