Blog for "the-enabler" of the letsnet.org network

Now using Twitter, twitter.com/letslets

2009-09-14T05:39:00.000-07:00

"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."-- Aldous Huxley

As the prostitute said, "It's not the work, it's the stairs." As told to me by Elaine Stritch, star of stage, screen, & TV, right after she won her 1st Emmy. Ago 79.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

3M Micro Professional Projector, fits in your pom

2008-12-17T22:22:00.000-08:00

Size is .9"H x 2"W x 4.5"D, 0.35 lbs. Fits in your hand or smaller than some smart phones?
http://www.3mmpro.com/ Be Enabled,

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Where to begin? Well there's this, http://www.balsamiq.com

2008-11-20T09:22:00.000-08:00

Balsamiq Studios LLC is a fresh little software company, focused on adding flavor to your Web Office suite. http://www.balsamiq.com/company
And what is "Web office"? read on at http://www.balsamiq.com And look for "A New Way to Work".

who is using Balsamiq Mockups

Are you doing any development on the web? Maybe a Website, or maybe your trying to figure out "working in the clould"? This site and its program well help in that. And the many others ways and things you can use this program for. http://www.balsamiq.com

Ya know what, I could tell you about it from here but that's just a waste of your time, & mine, it cost $79 bucks and that the right price, so go to the website and read it for yourself and do click on the demo graphic

And if you'd like to find out "from the horses' mouth" what it all about go to The Leo Laporte webcast and listen to Giacomo 'Peldi' Guilizzoni himself tell ya about it. Just click on the "Download MP3 file" or on the blue bar under it to listen.

And just so you know, Balsamiq Mockups, netted over $100,000 in less than 5 months and is gathering rave reviews.

In the hope that this emables you,
D, the enabler, of letnet.org

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Why Frogs Matter, "the canaries in the coal mine"

2008-11-18T09:03:00.000-08:00

Year of the Frog

Conservation biologists refer to amphibians as "the canaries in the coal mine" – they are among the first species to be affected by environmental stressors, so when they show declines in the wild, it serves as a warning to other species, including humans. Amphibians are also a critical part of a healthy natural world. In addition to their intrinsic value as a beautiful part of nature, they offer many benefits to us:

*

They play an important role in the food web as both predator and prey, maintaining the delicate balance of nature. Where they are disappearing, detrimental effects are already being documented.
*

Amphibians eat pest insects, benefiting successful agriculture around the world and minimizing the spread of diseases, including malaria.
*

The skin of amphibians has substances that protect them from some microbes and viruses, offering possible medical cures for a variety of human diseases, including AIDS.
*

Amphibians' skin is highly permeable, allowing them to drink and breathe. Unfortunately, contaminants also readily enter the body, making amphibians an exceptional indicator of environmental quality. They are particularly sensitive to pollution, making them important sentinels to potential human threats.
*

Frogs have had a special place in various human cultures for centuries, cherished as agents of life and good luck.

http://www.savethefrog.com & yourself.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

The Enabler is back at Blogger

2008-10-19T17:15:00.000-07:00

Well, it's not that Opera Blog isn't a great spot, but here I can "do" all my blogs' at the same sign-in. That's a biggie for me.

I'll clean up the "header" & Footer some by add our involvement in Mona Via the berry & fruit drink that is good for your health & is our way of enabling you into having your own busines. And my mini blogs at
https://Idenit.ca , https://twitter.com/, & http://army.twit.tv .

identi. ca is an open source , social networking , micro-blogging service. Based on Laconica , a micro-blogging software package built on ... I support "open Source" so that's why you'll find me there. Twitter is the biggest micro-blogging site on the net, and twit army is Leo LaPorte's identi bases micro-blogging site and is made up of people who list to Leo on tech & the computer & digital industry.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Hopping to change to new blog site

2005-06-20T12:49:00.000-07:00

I've found a new blog site that I think well work well,

http://my.opera.com/the_webster/journal .

So this could be the last post I make here. It's being hosted by Opera.com useing thier My Opera Community.

I still don't want to be spied on. I really don't want the sites I use to do that to me as I use them as a Vendor.

And if you read one of my every recent post here, we are soon going to have to fear your "RSS feed" as it looks like that's going to be the way to put spyware on you someewhere around the end of the year. Which out for any increase in the amount of spyware you'll find around the time of the year.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

You've had "radio" over the net and now you can have "TV" too

2005-06-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

OK, if you're one of my regular readers you know about http://radio-locator.com and have been listening to Radio over the net for some time now. Well now, and it very early, on this you can have TV over the net as well as movies. DSL helps big here, but never the less you got TV on your computer if it's online now. (and to think that you'll soon be able to get your DSL from you electoral supplier as well. Which means that if you Power Co. is your DSL IP it could also be your TV supplier as well). Here's some links to what I've found so far.

http://www.wi-fitv.com with over 200 channels from many counteries. Some of these are just webcams, but if you listen to Bloomberg TV your going to love it on you Computer. And I didn't tell you to watch it at work either. And,

http://www.cinemapop.com/which is movies and can also be gotten to from the WI-FItv.com site.

ENJOY and for now I'm useing my Opera browser for these sites

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

The Future of Spyware: Delivery Via RSS

2005-06-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

By Gregg Keizer, Courtesy of TechWeb News

By the end of the year, spyware will have turned to RSS to distribute its key loggers and ad spawners, a security expert predicts.

By the end of the year, spyware programs will have tripled in number, put Firefox in their sights, and have turned to RSS to distribute its key loggers and ad spawners, a security expert said Friday.

Richard Stiennon, director of threat research at anti-spyware software vendor Webroot, first presented his six predictions at this week's Gartner IT Security Summit.

Number one on his list?

"The first spyware that targets Firefox will appear in the first half of 2005," prognosticated Stiennon. "That means either a spyware writer will take advantage of a vulnerability in Firefox, as others already have in Internet Explorer, or create a site that forces Firefox to invisibly download and install adware or spyware."

Stiennon's apparently not worried about the impending deadline for his prediction. "Test code against Firefox exists," he said, "and I've seen [spyware] exploits against Firefox that don't work. At the Gartner conference, I had a conversation with the CIO of another security firm, and he said that his company had just found an example."

Some of Stiennon's predictions were no-brainers, or in one case, with tongue firmly in cheek. "The number of new Microsoft vulnerabilities will grow," he said. "That was said tongue-in-cheek." Others, such as his bet that the number of different types of spyware will triple in 2005 to reach 4,500 total, is an easy prophecy, he added, since "we're well on our way for that number right now."

In Stiennon's opinion, his most distressing prediction is that spyware will latch onto RSS (Real Simple Syndication) as a way to distribute ad- and spy-style software.

"I'm extremely concerned about this," said Stiennon. "Already we're seeing marketers look to RSS. A recent list by marketing types on why RSS is better than e-mail, for example, had 'no more annoying complaints about spam' at number 8. Where marketers go, adware and spyware writers follow."

Another nasty possibility, said Stiennon, is that a vulnerability will be found in one of the big blogging services. "If a spyware writer finds a way to inject code into a blogging site -- which could take the form of a SOAP object -- most likely through a future vulnerability in Internet Explorer 7, then everyone who subscribes to that service's blog RSS feeds is gonna get infected." Such an attack could be massive, and because of the automated nature of RSS, extremely fast-acting.

Finally, Stiennon predicted that rootkits, hacker toolkits now used by the most sophisticated worm authors to hide evidence of their malicious code from anti-virus scanners, will migrate to spyware this year.

"There's a very small group, under 2,000, of advanced spyware writers. They're already experimenting with rootkits, and when they start using them in numbers, spyware is going to be very very hard to detect."

Stiennon's final prediction didn't make his list at Gartner's conference, but is no surprise considering how much space on his blog he's devoted to the recent Israeli incident where several companies' executives have been charged with industrial espionage after hiring private investigators who in turn used a British programmer's spyware Trojan to infect rivals' computers.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

As TVs grow, so do electric bills

2005-06-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

Not long ago, Andrew Fanara was shopping with his wife for a new big-screen television. Everything was going fine, until the sales clerk discovered Mr. Fanara was an energy watchdog for the federal government. Pulling Fanara aside, the clerk confessed: His own new 61-inch TV gulped electricity the way a big SUV guzzles gasoline.
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"The month after he got it, he got a call from his landlord, who noticed a big jump in the utility bill," recalls Fanara, team leader of the Energy Star program at the US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "It was the kid's big-screen television."

Revelations about energy-munching appliances aren't uncommon in Fanara's job. But lately, he's hearing more about big-screen TVs - and that's worrisome. With sales expected to skyrocket - and with only outmoded testing and efficiency standards available to alert people about energy consumption - digital big-screen TVs are poised to generate big hikes in home energy use and pollution, unless manufacturers act swiftly to adopt more efficient technologies.

That's one reason EPA officials are scheduled later this monthto meet with officials of the California Energy Commission, utility company Pacific Gas & Electric, and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an environmental group. Their goal: to discuss best ways to measure TV energy use - and ways to get manufacturers to adopt energy-saving technologies faster.

"The price of these big-screen TVs is coming down, so more and more people will soon be able to afford them," says Noah Horowitz, a senior NRDC scientist. "If we do nothing, it will lock-in power consumption at higher levels. People keep a TV five to 15 years, so we really need to get started making them as efficient as they can be."

Already, televisions account for about 4 percent of annual residential electricity use in the United States - enough to power all of the homes in the state of New York for a year, according to a new NRDC study. Today there are about 266 million TVs, and that number is growing by 3.5 million per year. By 2009, when half of all new TV sales are expected to be extended- or high-definition digital sets with big screens, TV energy use will reach about 70 billion kilowatt-hours per year nationwide - about 50 percent higher than at present. Throw in a DVD and VCR player, a pair of high-definition set-top boxes, and other household TVs, and the total TV-related energy use for the home rises to about 10 percent, the NRDC estimates.

Bigger screens aren't the only culprits for TV's growing energy draw. The nation's move to high-definition TV, or HDTV, requires sets to deliver more picture clarity, which draws more power. Also, Americans are watching some 16 percent more TV than in the 1980s - if DVD and video-game viewing is included, according to the Nielsen Group.

Using the best available technology, however, could reduce this new generation of big-screen TV "active mode" consumption by at least 25 percent, saving 10 billion kilowatt-hours per year, the NRDC estimates. In addition to chopping residential electric bills by $1 billion, it would prevent 7 million extra tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, the group says.

A solution may happen without federal intervention, industry officials say. "Consumer electronics are vastly different from electromechanical devices like refrigerators and dishwashers," says Douglas Johnson, senior director of technology policy at the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), an industry trade group based in Arlington, Va. "There's already a great focus on efficient design and minimizing excess energy usage that produces heat, which is the enemy of long life for electronics. So there's already a built-in incentive for efficiency."

Digital TV sales have grown from zero in 1996 to about 12 percent of all TV sales today. That's expected to rise to 53 percent by 2008, the CEA reports.

"With the trend toward larger and larger TVs, these displays could use more power, depending on the technology they employ," Fanara says. "So it makes sense for the [EPA] to write new specs that recognize the most efficient products in the marketplace so consumers can at least address the energy consumption in the buying equation."

Electricity use doesn't always register with TV shoppers. Just ask Stephen Baldridge of Providence Village, Texas. When he and his wife, Hollie, bought a big-screen TV last year, they never thought twice about how much energy it would use. And they still don't worry about it. Electric bills don't seem much higher, says Mr. Baldridge, a self-professed "big TV watcher" at about five hours a day. Still, he'd like television manufacturers to keep power consumption to a minimum. "It would be nice if [manufacturers] could do that and keep the electric bill down for us," he says.

New sets, new standards?
America needs a new way to measure the energy efficiency of television sets.

Currently, federal standards measure only a set's "standby mode," when the TV is idle, even though "active mode" accounts for 80 to 95 percent of its annual energy use. This can lead to some confusing results. A television that earns the government's Energy Star rating for its efficiency in standby mode might draw more power in active mode than another model that didn't earn the label.

Including active mode is definitely on the agenda for revising Energy Star standards, says Andrew Fanara, team leader of the program for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). But how to test it is a complex question.

The only nationally recognized active-mode test is the US
Department of Energy's nearly three-decades-old process for black-and-white models. It uses a static black-and-white display pattern - even though power consumption in today's models varies widely depending on the activity and intensity of colors displayed on screen.

In its testing of big-screen TVs, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) used a two-minute clip of the hit comedy "Shrek." The results showed considerable variation in power use. Even similar size TVs could consume "drastically different amounts of power" in active mode, the report says. One 50-inch plasma high-definition TV (HDTV) was estimated to use 679 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. A 32-inch liquid-crystal display with HDTV capability was pegged at 387 kWh per year. By contrast, an older analog 34-inch TV was estimated to use just 209 kWh per year, NRDC tests found.

The NRDC's Noah Horowitz hopes the EPA will create a single annual energy-consumption number for TVs, much like those found on today's refrigerators or hot-water heaters. He'd also like the agency to set mandatory minimum-efficiency standards for cable and satellite set-top boxes. These boxes could use more than 20 billion kWh per year, at a cost of about $2 billion, another NRDC study says. In that scenario, five 500-megawatt power plants would be needed to run these boxes, emitting 15 million tons per year of carbon dioxide, a global-warming pollutant.

While embracing voluntary Energy Star standards, industry officials disagree with the idea of mandatory efficiency standards. "When an arbitrary standard is placed on a product, it will constrain use and innovation," says Douglas Johnson, senior director of technology policy at the Consumer Electronics Association.

Power sappers
The average US household used 10,656 kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2001. What used the most?

• Air-conditioning 16%

• Refrigerator 14%

• Space heating 10%

• Water heater 9%

• Clothes dryer 6%

• Freezer 4%

• Furnace fan 3%

• Electric range top 3%

Source: US Energy Information Administration

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

FireFox now 10% of browsers used.

2005-06-16T11:27:00.000-07:00

And others are saying that FireFox well be the "Most used" browser soon.

But don't be the last to find and start using Opera at http://www.Opera.com . Check out the security of Opera.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Another Extension that is Just Great, webmailcompose

2005-06-14T07:56:00.000-07:00

link to webmailcompose

A quick Description

Makes mailto links: load YOUR webmail's compose page and adds a Compose link to the context menu. Also (optionally) overlays the Mail Button, Send Link and Send Image context menu items.

Editor's Review
An excellent extension

This is a top notch extension with plenty of features. It's easy to use and can be configured to do exactly waht you want it to do. Has options for a default mailto: link handler, a context menu for right clicking, ability to decide to use new tabs, current tabs or new windows. It comes pre-configured to handle Gmail, YahooMail, Hotmail, Netscape, Mail.com, Opera, Horde, SquirrelMail but you can also configure manually if you use a different webmail provider.

Just right click on the Mailto link and then on setting and you'll see just how to set webmailcompose to your differant webmail services you use. Chooses are Yahoo, operamail, mail.com, Hotmai, Gmail, as well as a couple of others. I have mine set so that I can choose between Yahoo, Opera and mail.com. So you right click the next time and you'll see your choose to clink on. And boom you'll go right to your default browser and to whatever webmail service you choose.

Others to come well be an Extension that lets you move your tabs around so that they're in the order you want from left to right. (Extension name is miniT)

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

OK, FireFox users, the next growth step. Extensions

2005-06-13T23:19:00.000-07:00

You know what a "Plug in" is, right. Well, an Extensions is somewhat the samething only Extensions is what FireFox calls 'em.

Extensions

Extensions are small add-ons to Firefox that change existing browser functionality or add new functionality.

Like this one;

Password Composer 1.05

By Johannes la Poutre

Generates a secure, site specific password, based on a single Master Password.

This extension puts a tiny red icon left of a password entry field. If you click on this icon, the password field is overlaid with a replacement input, where you can supply a single, secure password (your Master Password).

Then all password fields on the current page, are updated with a calculated, unique password (one per site). This works for regular logins, as well as most new account signup pages.

The advantages are:
- just one strong password to remember
- passwords are unique per website, so the risk of abuse is limited to the current site only.
- generated passwords are considered "strong" by current standards
- the Master Password can not be reverse engineerd (there's MD5 hashing involved)

Please be sure to visit the Extension's home page, and read the FAQ for more info before using!

New in version 1.05: Display the host/domain name which is used for generating the password. This field is editable, so you can reconstruct a password once a site is moved e.g. from addons.update.mozilla.org to addons.mozilla.org (this just happened). Added an option to use the full host name (+), this is the default, or the domain name only (-). This option is not remembered across page loads, use the Greasemonkey user script version if you want this remembered.

For Firefox:
0.9.x - 1.0+

OK, so how do you find'em, well just click on the "Tools" link in the Toolbar at the top of your FireFox window and look for the Extensions link and clink on that. It's the same way you'd uninstill an Extension.

Uninstalling Extensions

Should you ever wish to remove an extension from Firefox, you will need to access Firefox's Tools menu, then select the Extensions menu item.

At this point you should click on the "Help" link in your FireFox window and then click on "Help Contents" or press F1. Then using the Search feature type in Extensions and everthing you need to know is there. And or call me.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Broadcom IPTV Box Enables First Live Broadcast of HDTV Over DSL

2005-06-13T12:15:00.001-07:00

Broadcam's IPTV set top box was used in the world's first demonstration of delivering a live HDTV broadcast over a DSL network.

By Networking Pipeline Staff Courtesy of Networking Pipeline

Broadcam today announced that its IPTV set top box was used in the world's first demonstration of delivering a live HDTV broadcast over a DSL network. The company's IPTV set-top box reference design platform was used by France Telecom to broadcast the French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros Stadium in France on June 2, 2005.

The demonstration may lead the way toward allowing telecom operators to offer HDTV broadcast and on-demand services over their existing DSL networks, says Broadcom.

In the demonstration, the Broadcom IPTV set-top box reference design platform performed HD MPEG-4/advanced video compression (AVC) decoding and audio/video delivery. MPEG-4 Part 10 advanced video compression is the latest generation of compression technology that reduces the required bandwidth for the transmission of video content, making it possible to offer HDTV broadcast and on-demand services over DSL networks.

The market for IPTV set top boxes is expected to grow significantly over the next several years. In a prepared statement, market analyst Michelle Abraham of InStat, noted "The availability of advanced video compression technology will enable the cost-effective deployment of IP set-top boxes, the market for which InStat is forecasting to grow by 550 % over the next five years."

The Broadcom BCM97398 IP set-top box reference design was used in the demonstration. It features the BCM7411 MPEG-4 HD AVC video decoder/audio processor chip and BCM7038 dual channel HD and personal video recorder chip. The chips enable set-top box vendors to build set-top boxes to support advanced IP-based video and audio services such as high-quality graphical user interfaces, advanced programming guides, built-in Internet browser capabilities, video-on-demand services and digital video recorder features. The BCM97398's scalable architecture also supports hybrid IP/digital terrestrial set-top boxes and a variety of wired and wireless home networking technologies.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Broadcom IPTV Box Enables First Live Broadcast of HDTV Over DSL

2005-06-13T12:15:00.000-07:00

Because your TV is going Digital ... earlier rather than later

2005-06-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

Digital TV Deadlines Get Moved Up
HDTV Provides Better Pictures, New Options

POSTED: 6:43 am PDT June 10, 2005

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to require that all medium-size televisions, those with screens from 25 to 36 inches, be capable of receiving both digital and traditional analog signals by March 1, 2006.

That's four months earlier than the commission had mandated three years ago. Regulators also retained a requirement that half of all new mid-size televisions have the capability by July 1.

The FCC also proposed that all new small TVs -- 13 to 24 inches -- have digital tuners by the end of 2006, instead of a year later. That deadline will be decided at a later date.

The newer technology provides sharper images and additional programming options.

The lack of digital-capable television sets has been a major roadblock to Congress' tentative deadline late next year to complete the transition from traditional analog TV signals to digital.

The law setting that deadline permits it to be extended in any market until 85 percent of the homes have a digital TVs.

TV makers and retailers supported moving up the digital deadline because it means the sale of more expensive TVs.

In case you haven't seen digital TV and wonder what the fuss is about, digital signals don't have "snow" or interference that goes onto traditional analog transmissions.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Remember my tell you of dodgeit.com for receive-only email, well

2005-06-08T11:01:00.000-07:00

This site has worked so well for me, keeping spam away from me & for use with people I wasn't use of, that I went ahead and made the $10.00 donation to Phil and within mins. I had an email from the crew @ dodgeit.com with my temp pass word and was then able to change to my own password. And now I'm RSS when I get mail there as well. Try it for free first and if you agree then go for the gold.

http://dodgeit.com/

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Maybe someone is listening. I'd love more feedback.

2005-06-07T13:42:00.000-07:00

Dell Says Spyware Calls Cut In Half
A Dell Computer executive said that his company has seen a 50 percent drop in the number of spyware-related calls to its tech support lines in the last year.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Open-Source Software Options for Linux or not...

2005-06-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

From: PC World editors

Thinking about a move to:

Linux but don't know what software runs on it? Looking for something different to run on your current PC? The open-source software community continues to turn out new, useful programs. (Open-source software is usually developed as a public collaboration and made freely available. Proprietary software, like Microsoft's Windows and Office packages, generally is not.) Here's a sampling, other than firefox and opera.

OpenOffice.org 2.0

If you're thrifty and you use an office suite, it's hard not to like OpenOffice.org. The current version does most things Microsoft Office can do. Plus, it's free. So what's to improve?

OpenOffice.org 2.0, still in beta, adds a database-creation application similar to Microsoft Access. Otherwise, many of the changes in the new version are small tweaks that probably won't radically alter the way you work.

In addition to Base, the database app, OpenOffice.org 2.0 includes Writer (a word processor), Calc (a spreadsheet application), Impress (a presentation program), Math (a tool for creating mathematical formulas), and Draw (a nifty drawing program). The beta is available for Windows, Linux, and
Mac OS X operating systems.

The suite's developers seem to have tried to make Base look and act just like Access--unfortunate, since Access is so frequently baffling. A better plan might have been to create a database application similar to FileMaker Pro--that is, not like Access but much easier to use.

As for the tweaks, Calc now supports as many rows of data as Excel does, eliminating one problem for serious number crunchers. And if, heaven forbid, you're a fan of transitions and sounds in between your slides, you'll love that Impress now has buckets of them.

Once a final edition of version 2 is released (there's no firm schedule), you may doubt the wisdom of paying $300 or more for Microsoft Office.
Ubuntu Linux

Ubuntu Linux burst onto the scene in 2004. It is closely tied to the nonprofit Debian project, a Linux distribution beloved by many hard-core Linux fans. Debian releases are few and far between. Ubuntu, however, aims for a new stable release twice each year, based on the spiffy stuff that appears in Debian's testing and unstable branches.

Ubuntu is a Gnome-based distribution (KDE component architecture is not a supported option) that takes user-friendliness very, very seriously. The only problem with Ubuntu is that, like Fedora Core, it lacks multimedia functionality out of the box. Ubuntu doesn't know how to rip or play MP3 files, or read a DVD, unless you install some unsupported system components.

So you've got some work to do if you want MP3 and DVD support. Luckily, the work's not hard, and the necessary packages are kept up-to-date by kind souls who want to play movies and listen to music just like you do. If you're going to give Ubuntu a shot, just know going in that you've got these tasks in store.
Open-Source Utilities

Are Linux and OpenOffice the only open-source programs you've heard of? If so, that's a shame, because there are several open-source programs you might find useful on a daily basis. Here are a few:

Looking for a free FTP client? Try FileZilla. It works, it's fast, and it has a nice interface. For those of you who don't know what a FTP clint does, it's how, if you have a website that you made, you can get "files" to it.

Who says remote-access software has to be expensive? The next time you need to connect to a PC at a distance, give the free virtual network computing program VNC from RealVNC a try (registration required).

When you're in a chatty mood, you have permission to Speak Freely with this gratis Internet telephony client. And the safe of these is Skype at Skype.com.

The free file-compression program 7-Zip claims to offer a compression ratio that's 2 percent to 10 percent better than that offered by either PKZip or WinZip.

For protecting your data, it's hard to beat the free NeoCrypt encryption software, which supports AES, DES, Triple-DES, Blowfish, Skipjack, and five other encryption standards.

And when it's time to cover your tracks, pull out Eraser, a program that overwrites the data on your drives in a way that makes it unrecoverable ($15 donation requested).

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Take Linux For a Test Drive

2005-06-07T06:50:00.000-07:00

Exclusive from: Michael Desmond

So you want to walk on the wild side, but you don't want to invite a catastrophic system meltdown in the process. The fact is that installing a new operating system is a big deal. Even in the age of vast and reliable hard drives, a botched
Linux distribution (or "distro") could make mincemeat of your Windows setup.

Fortunately, there are ways to dabble--pretty much risk-free--in the Linux waters. The approach I recommend to Linux novices is to try out one of the live CD distros, which run entirely off a CD. Burn a copy of Knoppix to a disc, and you'll have a Debian-based Linux distro that boots, loads, and runs without touching the hard disk. Think of Knoppix as "turn your PC into a Linux system for a day" software. You'll get a chance to noodle with the interface, work with the packaged software, and otherwise lay hands on Linux without disturbing your working setup.

As with all things Linux, choice is rampant, and you can find flavors of Knoppix tuned for everything from system recovery to gaming. Personally, I keep a Knoppix CD around as an emergency recovery disk, since I know Knoppix will boot a PC even if the hard disk is completely wiped out.

Like what you see? Consider dual-booting your Windows PC. It'll take some planning, and you may need to set up a new partition on your hard drive to keep things structured, but a dual-boot arrangement lets you choose which OS to run--Linux or Windows--each time the system starts. That way you can gain experience with Linux without turning your life upside down. Most Linux distributions can guide you through setting up your system to dual-boot Linux and Windows.

If you need to create or resize hard disk partitions to accommodate multiple OSs, consider a partitioning program such as Symantec's PartitionMagic. These packages can actually preserve all your data and applications while resizing partitions.

Of course, on the Apple front, test driving the
Mac OS X operating system requires Apple hardware. Your best bet is to borrow a friend's Apple computer for a few days and get familiar with the software. Or drop by your kids' school--educational institutions still have a lot of Macs.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Computing Without Windows

2005-06-07T06:36:00.000-07:00

Exclusive from: Michael Desmond

Six months ago, Rich Swerbinsky trudged out of the Windows camp and never looked back. The 28-year-old mortgage and finance specialist used Windows-based PCs both at home and at work for years. So when his aging,
Windows XP-based home laptop suffered a series of hardware and software failures, Swerbinsky figured he would replace it with another, faster, Dell notebook.

That is, until he started asking around and heard friends rave about the Apple IBook. "I had no idea that Apples were back in the game and gaining popularity and were as high-quality as they were," Swerbinsky says. "I thought they were a dinosaur."

Today, Swerbinsky is the proud owner of a sleek Apple IBook G4, which he purchased at Micro Center for about $1,100. Swerbinsky enthuses about the new laptop--and the
Mac OS X operating system that came with it, praising its ease of use and stability.

"I think if you took somebody who had never seen a computer in their life and asked them to diddle around with a Windows PC and a Mac OS X PC, they would find OS X easier to use," Swerbinsky says.

Whether they do or not, these days there are several operating systems that, like Mac OS X, are at least easy to use, opening the door to new choices and healthy competition that can only mean better OSs down the road.

For years there have been several operating systems to choose from, but the newest ones--those based on a
Linux kernel--have actually been hard to use, at least for the average user. But times have definitely changed. Get your hands on something like the latest version of Xandros Desktop, a flavor of Linux, and you might swear you've used it before.

None of this means you'll automatically dump Windows (unless you've simply grown tired of Microsoft, as some vocal computer users have). It does, however, mean you have choices. Do a little shopping around, and you may find an operating system that works better for you.
Windows Gets Company

Windows has dominated the desktop and laptop operating system scene for so long, it's easy to see why guys like Swerbinsky might not realize that competition is still out there. In fact, computer owners have never enjoyed a better selection of operating systems, says Jon Changnon, a network security engineer for a large financial institution. Changnon has been using various versions of Linux on his home and work PCs for more than ten years, starting out with the Slackware flavor.

"It's definitely at its most accessible point ever," Changnon says of the Linux operating system. "It used to be a nightmare of finding drivers and getting the monitor to configure correctly for LCD support and all that stuff. Now you just throw in a CD, and you can get a Linux install up and running."

It may not always be that easy, but people are clearly growing more comfortable using Linux. Both Linux and Apple are gaining desktop market share, but the two OSs have a long way to go before they challenge Windows for supremacy. Today, Microsoft's share of the PC OS market hovers above 90 percent, while Linux and Apple each account for about 3 percent of shipments apiece.

Numbers aside, consumers can find a lot to like from either camp. Apple recently rolled out an update of Mac OS X, code-named Tiger, that offers some refinements to the already-polished operating system. Its new, integrated desktop search tool, called Spotlight, adds instant system search, while the Safari 2.0 Web browser adds support for RSS and Atom feeds, which are used by many blogs. There are also the somewhat bemusing Dashboard features, which should invite a surge of useful desktop modules for doing everything from telling time to connecting to Internet-based data sources.

Of course, anyone who buys a new Apple computer will also get the ILife package--including ITunes, IMovies, IPhoto, and IDVD--as part of the deal. The refined and tightly integrated software makes Apple the best overall platform for consumer-based media editing and management.
Linux: Distro Inferno

The water is less clear on the Linux side of the creek. Because Linux is an open-source operating system, different companies, organizations, and individuals are free to craft their own versions. While these different Linux flavors--called distributions, or "distros" for short--use a common set of core code, they are tweaked and extended by the authors. The result: an embarrassment of riches that Changnon admits can get a bit overwhelming.

"There's always the distro of the week, and now there's hundreds and hundreds of distros to choose from," says Changnon. "If you want a safe bet you want to go with one you know has been around awhile."

While there are scores of Linux distros, the most popular and prominent ones can be counted on two hands. Here's a quick list, presented in order of ease of use.

Xandros Desktop: It'll cost you 50 bucks, but the Standard Edition Xandros distro is astonishingly easy to install and use. Cheapskates (like me) can get the trimmed-down Open Circulation Edition free using BitTorrent.

Red Hat Desktop: The buttoned-down version of Linux most favored by corporations, Red Hat Linux is a polished, fee-based product that most resembles traditional software in its packaging and support.

Novell Linux Desktop: The Linux OS formerly known as SuSE should enjoy a healthy run with the suit-and-tie crowd now that Novell is working to make this client attractive to businesses.

Fedora Core: Also produced by Red Hat, Fedora Linux is a free distro that shares a great deal of technology with its Red Hat cousin. Fedora Linux often receives cutting-edge technology updates before Red Hat, since the company field-tests new code and features on Fedora first.

Mandriva (formerly Mandrake): Long regarded as the most user-friendly Linux distro, Mandriva can be a bit less stable than other distros.

Debian: Another popular distribution, Debian enjoys a reputation as the hacker's Linux and offers comprehensive control over the system. Installation and setup are much easier today than in the past.

Slackware: A pioneering distro, Slackware remains a favorite among Linux experts for its compactness and speed.

Gentoo: A sleek and swift distro that caters to the technical crowd. If you're just starting out with Linux, you probably won't choose Slackware or Gentoo.

The good news is that the selection of Linux-based software continues to broaden and expand. See the accompanying article on new open-source software to read about Ubuntu Linux, a promising new distro.

You can also find terrific applications tuned for Linux, including OpenOffice.org (a free and very complete Microsoft Office clone), Firefox (the popular browser), the Gaim multiprotocol instant messaging client, and the Evolution mail, calendar, and contact-management software that integrates with Microsoft Exchange Server.

"It works great. I can schedule appointments, set meetings, everything," says Changnon of Evolution. "I actually like the calendar in Evolution better. And don't get me wrong. Outlook is one of the few Microsoft programs that I think is pretty good."

In fact, the software works so well that for the first time, Changnon was able to switch off Windows entirely at work and rely on a single, Linux-based PC in the office. It took more than ten years, but moves like Changnon's are now more possible than ever before.

Michael Desmond is publishing director at Bock Interactive.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Broadband Speed to Jump 10-Fold

2005-06-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

By Sean Michael Kerner

There was a time not so long ago when a T1 at 1.54 Mbps was enough bandwidth for almost anyone. Not anymore.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has just ratified the VDSL2 (Very-high-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line 2) standard, which is intended to reach downstream and upstream rates of up to 100Mbps.

The current top ADSL standard reaches speeds of 10Mbps, with many U.S.-based DSL carriers offering residential customers DSL speeds of 3Mbps to 5Mbps.

The ITU expects that VDSL2 will allow DSL operators to offer a "super triple play" of video, Internet and voice services that compete with services offered by satellite and cable operators. They include HDTV, VoIP and videoconferencing.

Beyond its blazing speed, the VDSL2 standard is supposed to be interoperable with existing carrier DSL equipment, with service delivery still based on the ubiquitous standard copper telephone cable.

"This new standard is set to become an extremely important feature of the telecommunications landscape, and is a landmark achievement for our members, many of whom are relying on this recommendation to take their businesses to the next level," said Yoichi Maeda, chairman of the ITU Telecommunications Standardization Sector, which is the study group responsible for the work.

According to a recent report by DSL Forum, a consortium of service providers and equipment manufacturers, there are now more than 100 million DSL subscribers worldwide.

In 2004 alone, 35.5 million new global DSL subscribers were added to carriers, 16 million of whom were based in North America.

The DSL Forum expects that with the new VDSL2 standard in tow, speeds of 25Mbps will become available to most consumers with 100Mbps available on short loops.

"With vendors' implementation of this new ITU-T Recommendation, service providers can offer even more high quality, advanced services using DSL technology," said Michael Brusca, chairman of the DSL Forum, in a statement. "It represents another essential element in the delivery of universal broadband access for multiple applications in every region of the world and demonstrates the continuing dynamic development of the technology."

Carriers appear to be jumping on the VDSL2 bandwagon already. Yesterday BellSouth announced that it would be using VDSL2 technologies to upgrade the systems that it has installed over the last decade.

Story courtesy of InternetNews.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

A website that will help ya LOWER your BILLS like phone...

2005-06-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

http://lowermybills.phonedog.com/ld/companies/pioneer.aspx
And when your get there click on the "Lower my bills" Icon to get to their home page.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Remember this about the Internet back in...

2005-06-04T17:46:00.000-07:00

http://birthday.yahoo.com/netrospective/

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Thinkgeek.com has this and more for fun, A Marshmallo Gun

2005-06-03T10:48:00.000-07:00

http://www.thinkgeek.com/cubegoodies/toys/753d/zoom/

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Internet Group OKs 'Xxx' Web Addresses

2005-06-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON - The Internet's primary oversight body approved a plan Wednesday to create a virtual red-light district, setting the stage for pornographic Web sites to use new addresses ending in "xxx."

More as I find it.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

I could have and maybe should have writen this myself

2005-05-30T11:26:00.000-07:00

I'd tell ya who wrote this but he's "Brand X" to me. And yes I love his work.

This is my first column written on a Mac - ever. Maybe I should have done it a long time ago, but I never said I was smart, just obstinate. I was a PC bigot.

But now, I’ve had it. I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.

In the coming weeks I’m going to keep a diary of an experiment my company began at 6 p.m. April 29, 2005 - an experiment predicated on the hypothesis that the WinTel platform represents the greatest violation of the basic tenets of information security and has become a national economic security risk. I do not say this lightly, and I have never been a Microsoft basher, either. I never criticize a company without a fair bit of explanation, justification and supportive evidence.

I have come to the belief that there is a much easier, more secure way to use computers. After having spent several years focusing my security work on Ma, Pa and the Corporate Clueless, I also have come to the conclusion that if I’m having such security problems, heaven help the 98 percent of humanity who merely want a computer for e-mail and multimedia.

Even though I’m a security guy going on 22 years now, my day-to-day work is pretty much like everyone else’s. I live on laptops and use my desktops at home and the office for geeking and experimenting. My two day-to-day laptops (two, for 24/7 backup) are my business machines. I don’t need them to do a whole lot - except work reliably, which is why I am fed up with WinTel.

I want my computer to function every time I turn it on. I want my computer to not corrupt data when it does crash. I use a handful of applications: Microsoft Office, e-mail, browser, FTP client and some multimedia toys. Regardless of format, they should work without crashing.

I live on the ‘Net. I do not want my browser to eat up all of my memory. In the WinTel world I need an assortment of third-party tools to try to keep my PC alive. That’s just crazy.

Why does WinTel have these problems? I have heard all sorts of explanations, and I don’t subscribe to any of them. I’ve come up with my own (hopefully rational) reasons WinTel will fail - and has to fail:

Windows is complex, trying to be everything to everyone. This complexity comes at a terrible price: downtime, help desks, upgrades, patches and the inevitable failures.

When a new operating system or service pack is released, there are tons of changes to the functionality.

WinTel machines use different versions of BIOS They are not all equal, nor do they all have the same level of compatibility.

Some Windows software applications are well written; others take shortcuts. Shortcuts may work in some environments, but not all, and ultimately the consumer pays in lost time, availability and productivity.

Hardware. There are hundreds of "WinTel-compatible" motherboards, each claiming to be better than the next. Whatever.

Memory. Not all RAM is equal. Some works well. Cheap stuff doesn’t.

Hard disks. Same problem: cheap or reliable. Your call.

Here’s my answer to the WinTel problem: We need an open Simple Operating System (SOS) that meets the needs of the majority of people who buy PCs for everyday home and enterprise tasks. Get rid of the complexity and simplify the interface between SOS, BIOS and hardware. In other words, KISS. You know what it means. KISS SOS.

Because SOS doesn’t exist yet, my company has given up on WinTel. We have successfully moved to Mac in less than two days. Think about it: a security-friendly alternative that works and doesn’t require gobs of third-party utilities to safely perform the most mundane tasks.

KISS = "Keep it sample stupid". And some of you won't ever change or try a differant browser

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Some words from OSLO, Norway on Browser-Security

2005-05-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

Many American online computer users are unaware that choice of browser affects Internet security, and few switch browsers even when they know the risk, a Norwegian study said Monday.

The Oslo-based browser-maker Opera Software ASA, which touts its own browser as being one of the most secure, released a survey of 2,835 online users in the United States, which indicated that only 51 percent of what it called the "adult online population" were aware that the type of browser can affect a computer's vulnerability to malicious software, such as viruses and spyware.

The poll, first released to The Associated Press, also showed that only 11 percent of those asked said they had switched browsers for security reasons. The survey was conducted in March 25-29 by the Harris Interactive polling group and had a margin of error of about 5 percentage points.

Malicious software often targets a specific type of browser, and generally those that are the most widely used. The poll said that 49 percent of those asked did not know that their choice of browser can make a difference, including 17 percent who thought it had no effect.

Although a small percentage said they had switched browsers for security reasons, 66 percent said they would consider a change if it would improve security.

"Changing to a more secure browser is one of the simplest ways for Web users to make surfing safer and minimize the risk of falling victim to virus, spyware or 'phishing' attacks," said Opera's chief technical officer Haakon Wium Lie, referring to various techniques of tricking Internet users to hand over personal information, such as credit card numbers and passwords.

The tiny Norwegian browser company claimed that Internet security upgrades were a key part of its Opera 8 version, released last month. Among the features is a special window that rates the security of the page visited on a scale of one to three.

Opera commands less than 0.2 percent of the Windows market, far behind the industry leading Internet Explorer from Microsoft Corp. and various open-source browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox.

Opera can be downloaded free at http://www.opera.com. And yes I've been useing opera for yrs.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Bank Of America Fights Phishing With New Authentication

2005-05-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

By Gregg Keizer, TechWeb News

Bank of America, plagued by phishers targeting its 13.2 million online banking customers, on Thursday debuted a new two-factor, two-way authentication scheme in an attempt to deflect identity theft and reduce fraud.

Dubbed SiteKey, the free service allows customers to pick an image, write a brief phrase, and select three challenge questions. The information is then passed back and forth between the customer and Bank of America to confirm each other's identity. SiteKey will debut in Tennessee, said the Charlotte, N.C.-based bank, and roll out nationwide by the end of the year.

By Gregg Keizer, TechWeb News

Bank of America, plagued by phishers targeting its 13.2 million online banking customers, on Thursday debuted a new two-factor, two-way authentication scheme in an attempt to deflect identity theft and reduce fraud.

Dubbed SiteKey, the free service allows customers to pick an image, write a brief phrase, and select three challenge questions. The information is then passed back and forth between the customer and Bank of America to confirm each other's identity. SiteKey will debut in Tennessee, said the Charlotte, N.C.-based bank, and roll out nationwide by the end of the year.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Broadband Over Power Lines Makes Debut

2005-05-27T15:46:00.000-07:00

Until now, if consumers wanted broadband access, they were faced with two choices --- cable or DSL modems.

As the news this week shows, all that is about to change. Motorola announced a wireless broadband-over-powerline solution designed to allow the utility industry to provide high-speed access to customer homes. The solution should be a significant competitor to existing ones: Motorola cites a study that claims as many as 13 million U.S. households remain unable to receive broadband services from traditional cable modem or DSL providers, and says that its solution can bring the power of broadband to cities and municipalities underserved by current broadband providers.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Fed Shuts Down STAR WARS Pirate Sites

2005-05-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

A group of federal law enforcement agencies has shut down a file-sharing network that was distributing "STAR WARS Episode III: Revenge of the Sith." The Elite Torrents network, which uses hard-to-trace BitTorrent peer-to-peer technology to distribute files to users, had been offering the STAR WARS movie for free since the day it hit theatres. Authorities say the movie was downloaded over 10,000 times in the first 24 hours. But fear not, STAR WARS fans: "Sith" still broke box office records in its first weekend of availability and is on track to become one of the biggest movie blockbusters of all time. I guess it helps when the movie gets great reviews and is eagerly awaited by a geeky group of fanboys that make the nerds in the computer industry look cool by comparison.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Windows XP: Brooklyn Edition

2005-05-24T15:43:00.000-07:00

Dear Consumas:

It has come ta our attention dat a coupola copies of the WINDOWS

XP/BROOKLYN EDITION may have accidentally bin shipped outsida Broooklyn.

If ya got one a dese, you may need some help understandin' da commands.

Da Brooklyn edition may be recognized by da unique openin' screen. It

reads:

"WINDAS XP," wit a background picture of Grand Army Plaza. When you start

da program, instead of da usual "harpy, stringy" music, you hear da teme

from da Godfadda. It is also shipped wit a Sopranos screen sava.

Please also note:

Recycle Bin is labeled "Staten Island."

My Computer is called "My Friggin' Computa."

The Inbox is referred to as "Da Trunk."

Deleted Items are referred to as "Wacked," "Erased," or "Rubbed Out."

Dial up Networking is called "Da Bar."

Control Panel is known as the "Da Bosses."

Performin' an "illegal operation" is known as "enhancin' the family

business" and will actually maximize da program instead of shuttin' it

down.

Hard Drive is referred to as "Da BQE Rush Hour." (For you rednecks the BQE

is the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, New York City's idea of a highway. With

all the potholes it's more like a minefield.)

Instead of an error message a "You ain't gonna friggin' believe dis!" pops

up.

CHANGES IN TERMINOLOGY IN DA BROOKLYN EDITION:

OK...........Sure ting

Cancel......Fugetaboutit

Reset........Start Ova

Yes..........Yeah

No............Nah

Find..........Put a contract out on

Browse.....Get a looksee

Back.........U toin

Help..........(Ain't available-yous don't need no stinkin' help)

Stop..........Knock it off

Start..........Move it!

Settings.....Here's d' Rules

Also note dat any voice recognition software run on da BROOKLYN EDITION

platform don't recognize da letter "R."

Some programs and udder accessories dat are exclusive to WINDAS XP:

Typa................A word processin' program

Printa...............Printer

Calculata..........Calculator

Solitare.............Seven Card Stud

We regret any inconvenience it may have caused if you received a copy of

da BOOKLYN EDITION. You may return it to Microsoft for a replacement

version.

Yous got a problem wit dat?

BILL ("4 eyes") GATES

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Hackers Holding Computer Files 'Hostage'

2005-05-24T13:39:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON - The latest threat to computer users doesn't destroy data or steal passwords — it locks up a person's electronic documents, effectively holding them hostage, and demands $200 over the Internet to get them back.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Common Sense Moves Could Protect Privacy

2005-05-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

By ELLEN SIMON, AP Technology Writer

NEW YORK - Stealing
Social Security numbers and other sensitive data isn't always a cloak-and-dagger, ultra-sophisticated operation: It's often a low-tech job made easier by carelessness and flimsy safeguards.

Plenty of inexpensive measures can protect data from the large-scale theft that big banks, data merchants and other companies have recently disclosed.

But "security and privacy, for a lot of large organizations, are an afterthought, not a priority," said Evan Hendricks, who publishes the newsletter "Privacy Times."

Consider the latest headache for some large banks:

Wachovia Corp., and Bank of America Corp. say they have notified more than 100,000 customers that their accounts and personal information may be at risk after former bank employees allegedly sold account numbers and balances to a man who then sold them to data collection agencies. Nine people have been arrested in New Jersey in the case.

Or consider MCI Inc.'s privacy problem:

An MCI laptop containing the names and Social Security numbers of 16,500 current and former MCI Inc. employees was stolen last month from the car of an MCI financial analyst in Colorado. The car was parked in the analyst's home garage. The computer was password-protected; the company would not comment on whether the data was encrypted.

Encryption, which is relatively inexpensive, would make all those records all but impossible to access.

After a previous embarrassment, Bank of America Corp. is testing different encryption methods. It lost backup tapes in December containing the Social Security numbers and account information for 1.2 million federal workers, including senators and 900,000 Defense Department employees.

Time Warner Inc. could have avoided a black eye had it encrypted backup tapes containing the names and Social Security numbers of 600,000 current and former employees that were lost by Iron Mountain Inc. The storage service company had been transporting the tapes by van.

After disclosing its loss, Time Warner said it would begin encrypting its employee data. (Iron Mountain, in a press release encouraging encryption, said it performs more than five million pickups and deliveries annually and has lost backup tapes only four times this year).

Such losses go to the heart of information technology security, whose importance is magnified as more data is concentrated in ever smaller packages.

That the backup tapes in the Bank of America case were shipped as commercial air cargo shows the bank didn't understand their worth, said Jim Harper, director of information policy studies at the Cato Institute think tank.

"That's like shipping stock certificates in an envelope," he said. "Personal data is cash money. If you leave it sitting out on a sidewalk, you're making a mistake."

Companies should also clean up their data before sending it to an outside party, said Jim Stickley, chief technology officer at TraceSecurity Inc., a Louisiana security company. Credit unions in San Diego sent their customer databases, including Social Security numbers, to a marketing firm. When the marketing firm was robbed, the numbers were stolen, he said.

Investments in security measures must be weighed against the potential payoff for an attacker, said Dan Geer, chief scientist at Verdasys Inc., a computer security company based in Waltham, Mass.

After a costly data theft by an insider that cost it millions, data broker Acxiom Corp. added a chief security officer, reconfigured its electronic files, added more encryption and increased both internal and customer audits, said Jennifer Barrett, the company's privacy leader.

The insider, contract employee Daniel J. Baas, was sentenced to 45 months in prison in March for stealing encrypted password files. Acxiom said the theft cost it $5.8 million, including employees' time and travel expenses, security audits and encryption software.

Greater scrutiny of clients could have spared ChoicePoint Inc. considerable grief, analysts say.

After ChoicePoint said in February that thieves using stolen identities had created 50 dummy businesses that pulled data including names, addresses and Social Security numbers on as many as 145,000 people, its stock dropped precipitously from $48 a share the day before the announcement to the current price of about $39.

A simple Google search on some of those company names came up empty but ChoicePoint "never had a system in place for really checking them," Hendricks said.

The company should have verified its clients' identities by visiting their offices and looking at their books, said Avivah Litan, vice president for payments and fraud research at Gartner Inc.

ChoicePoint says it has hired a retired Secret Service agent to help revamp its verification process. The data broker has also said it would limit access to Social Security numbers, dates of birth and drivers' license numbers to government agencies and publicly traded companies and would "re-credential" its remaining customers.

Hendricks says tighter screening and monitoring of employees and contractors would help, too, as would training employees to treat data as if they were their own and making them sign contracts promising to do so.

For inside jobs, like those at Bank of America, Wachovia and Acxiom, a well-monitored audit trail, which Hendricks recommends, would also come in handy.

Companies need to take shredding more seriously, too, said Stickley, of TraceSecurity, and limit access to sensitive information.

"An auto dealer shouldn't let any salesman pull a credit report any time they want," Hendricks said. "They should have a small number of people authorized to view very sensitive data."

One simple measure many companies can start with is collecting less information, said Stickley.

When Stickley signed his son up for karate recently, he was asked for his Social Security number, home address and drivers' license number.

"There's no reason for that," he said. "The security at the karate shop is not like a bank."

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Common Sense Moves Could Protect Privacy

2005-05-24T08:56:00.000-07:00

Common Sense Moves Could Protect Privacy

2005-05-24T08:47:00.002-07:00

Common Sense Moves Could Protect Privacy

2005-05-24T08:47:00.001-07:00

Common Sense Moves Could Protect Privacy

2005-05-24T08:47:00.000-07:00

U.S. House votes to outlaw computer spyware

2005-05-24T06:39:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday voted to establish new penalties for purveyors of Internet "spyware" that disables users' computers and secretly monitors their activities.

Don't go to nuts, if the law is anything like the law they passed covering spam it a do nothing law.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Netflix Takes Over Wal-Mart DVD Rental Busniess

2005-05-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

Rentals AP

SAN FRANCISCO - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is handing off its online DVD rental business to Netflix Inc., signaling the world's largest retailer couldn't beat the Internet upstart at its own game.

Thursday's David-defeats-Goliath announcement boosted Netflix's shares, which gained 63 cents, or 4.1 percent, to close at $16.13 on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The shares shed 13 cents in after-hours trading, but soared as high as $19.27 earlier in the day.

Wal-Mart is offering its existing online DVD rental customers the chance to continue their subscriptions with Los Gatos-based Netflix at their current price for the next year. Those who don't sign up with Netflix by June 17 will lose their service. Wal-Mart plans to continue promoting the Netflix service on its Web site.

In return, Netflix will urge its 3 million subscribers to buy DVDs from Walmart.com.
END

Yeah, Like I'm going to do that.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Yahoo Messenger Ups Ante on Internet Calling

2005-05-19T15:09:00.000-07:00

Yahoo (Nasdaq: YHOO - news) announced Wednesday the launch of a public beta for its newest Yahoo Messenger, which can connect customers anywhere through a PC-to-PC calling service.

The voice-chat capabilities of earlier versions have been enhanced to make PC-to-PC calling easier. The new Messenger calling service also provides voice-mail that can be left and retrieved through a call history log.

Users also can make their PC-to-PC calling more personalized by customizing ring tones for friends and family.

"Talking to your computer no longer means you are crazy," said Brad Garlinghouse, vice president of communications products for Yahoo.

Voice services will continue to be enhanced and extended as a core component of Yahoo Messenger, Garlinghouse said.

"We are committed to providing a world-class IM experience for consumers," he said.

The "next generation" Yahoo Messenger, as the company calls it, also features a new drag-and-drop capability to ease the transfer of multiple files between customers. Thumbnails will specify what type of file is being transferred.

The drag-and-drop feature is a key component to the new Yahoo Messenger's photo-sharing capability, which simulates looking at photos in person by letting users view photos together via instant message.

New tools in Yahoo Messenger give users access to Yahoo's online community forum, Yahoo 360. Indicators will appear next to friends' IDs, signaling to users that they've posted new content, such as blogs or photos.

Yahoo Messenger also will work with the company's new Music Unlimited. Users will be able to browse and listen to friends' music playlists through Messenger.

In addition, enhanced SpamGuard software will work with the new Yahoo Messenger to boost users' protection and to let customers report spam or unsolicited messages to Yahoo through IM.

The new Yahoo Messenger is launching in localized versions for 18 countries throughout the world.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Andy Rooney's tips for telemarketers

2005-05-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

Three Little Words That Work !!

(1)The three little words are: "Hold On, Please..."
Saying this, while putting down your phone and walking off
(instead of
hanging-up immediately) would make each telemarketing call so
much more
time-consuming that boiler room sales would grind to a halt.

Then when you eventually hear the phone company's
"beep-beep-beep" tone,
you know it's time to go back and hang up your handset, which
has
efficiently completed its task.

These three little words will help eliminate telephone
soliciting.

(2) Do you ever get those annoying phone calls with no one on the
other
end?
This is a telemarketing technique where a machine makes phone
calls and
records the time of day when a person answers the phone.

This technique is used to determine the best time of day for a
"real" sales
person to call back and get someone at home.

What you can do after answering, if you notice there is no one
there, is to
immediately start hitting your # button on the phone, 6 or 7
times, as
quickly as possible . This confuses the machine that dialed the
call and it
kicks your number out of their system. Gosh, what a shame not to
have your
name in their system any longer !!!

(3) Junk Mail Help:
When you get "ads" enclosed with your phone or utility bill,
return these
"ads" with your payment. Let the sending companies throw their
own junk
mail away.

When you get those "pre-approved" letters in the mail for
everything from
credit cards to 2nd mortgages and similar type junk, do not throw
away the
return envelope.

Most of these come with postage-paid return envelopes, right?
It costs them more than the regular 37 cents postage "IF" and
when they
receive them back.

It costs them nothing if you throw them away! The postage was
around 50
cents before! the last increase and it is according to the
weight. In that
case, why not get rid of some of your other junk mail and put it
in these
cool little, postage-paid return envelopes.

One of Andy Rooney's (60 minutes) ideas.
Send an ad for your local chimney cleaner to American Express.
Send a pizza
coupon to Citibank. If you didn't get anything else that day,
then just
send them their blank application back!

If you want to remain anonymous, just make sure your name isn't
on anything
you send them.

You can even send the envelope back empty if you want to just to
keep them
guessing! It still costs them 37 cents.

The banks and credit card companies are currently
getting a lot of their own junk back in the mail, but folks, we
need to
OVERWHELM them. Let's let them know what it's like to get lots of
junk
mail, and best of all they're paying for it...Twice!

Let's help keep our postal service busy since they are saying
that e-mail
is cutting into their business profits, and that's why they need
to
increase postage costs again. You get the idea !

If enough people follow these tips, it will work----
I have been doing this for years, and I get very little
junk mail anymore.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Your going to love this, at lease I did...

2005-05-16T22:24:00.001-07:00

IT Specialist Snares A Laptop Thief

Courtesy of TechWeb News

Not long after a burglar broke into her home and stole her prized Apple iPod and iBook laptop, Karen Todd of Bowie, Maryland, decided to use her computer expertise to see if the items stolen from her home might show up on the Internet.

Sure enough, the mother of two and computer programs designer, logged onto eBay and found the stolen items for sale. "I was shocked and almost in tears," she told the Washington Post about finding her inscribed iPod. "I was like, 'That's mine! That's mine!' I was just floored. When I found it (the iPod), I clicked on 'see seller's other items,' and when I scrolled through, lo and behold, there was my [laptop]."

Todd, who is an IT specialist at the U.S. Census Bureau, tracked the stolen items to a Maryland sports memorabilia dealer, who said when he bought the items from a Sierra Leone national, he didn't know they were stolen. The burglar was arrested earlier this month and has been languishing in jail.

As for Karen Todd, she is getting her stolen items returned and a $100 Best Buy gift certificate to boot, to be presented by the Bowie police department to honor her public spirit and help in putting a burglar out of commission. The Bowie City Council is planning to honor her with a special commendation.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Your going to love this, at lease I did...

2005-05-16T22:24:00.000-07:00

Another enabling item : Skype.com

2005-05-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

Free software so you can make free phone calls over the net to other skype users

Andno I don't have the software on all my computers, but I might soon.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

You ask and I reply, Best website to learn HTML code

2005-05-16T14:31:00.000-07:00

Best website to learn HTML code is w3schools.com

And I'm sorry, but I did really think I had it in the list of links to the left. And it soon well be

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Enabling type stuff; backpackit.com

2005-05-16T11:34:00.000-07:00

Want to or need to get Organized? That's what this site is about.

Backpack is so flexible and easy, you'll use it to...

Organize "to do" lists, notes, images, photos, and more Plan a personal/business trip Keep track of what your competitors are doing Plan a home improvement project Collaborate on a new business idea Keep track of houses you're considering buying Gather information for a research project Keep a list of gift ideas for friends Build a list of recommended restaurants, and more...

Steelhoof : I'm Email to Yahoo on Messenger abuse

2005-05-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

The fellowing is a copy of my to
abuse@yahoo.com, which you can find at http://messenger.yahoo.com at the aottom of the page:

I just got spammed.

a screenshot is attached.

I just got spammed with an AA (American Airlines)
commercial asking "Why do you fly" with a macromedia
flash player splash

An American Airlines Ad.

I never signed on for this spam. I have had THIS ID
SINCE 1996

there was no use id

I want a full detailed accounting of why I got an
American Airlines spam when I logged on this morning.

"we don't have a clue" is not acceptable as a response.

VISIT and discover a place you can assist
the Linux community.
END
You may need this info and email address.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Learn about "DomainKeys" from Yahoo.com

2005-05-14T11:31:00.000-07:00

DomainKeys is a rapidly-emerging Internet standard from Yahoo!. It allows Yahoo! Mail to detect whether emails come from their claimed domain. However, be sure to verify this confirmation by ensuring it's from an expected domain (for example, emails from Yahoo! should be from "yahoo.com" or "yahoo-inc.com", not a variant like "yaho00oo.com").

If you are a postmaster(for a website or page) interested in implementing DomainKeys to protect your domain, you can find more technical details at http://antispam.yahoo.com/domainkeys and implementation information at http://domainkeys.sourceforge.net.

If this is not what you needed to know, check out our Online Help Desk. Visit it any time by logging into your Yahoo! account and clicking on the "Help" link located in the upper right-hand corner.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

New Firefox, Mozilla Versions Fix Open Browser Holes

2005-05-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

New versions of the Firefox and Mozilla browsers have been released that address three security problems, including one that was made public last week.

The first fix addresses the bug that was publicized recently, in which an attacker can execute code by using a javascript: URL as the IconURL property. Mozilla is partly vulnerable to this bug.

The other two fixes (involving Wrapped" javascript: urls and "non-DOM property overrides") also address bypasses of security checks involving javascript: URLs.

Security updates are getting to be a common occurrence with Firefox and Mozilla. This update is the fourth addressing 32 security holes in 2005.

As with all the other recent security fixes, the new versions are not patches but complete new versions that must be completely downloaded and installed through normal program installation means. Firefox 1.0.4 for Windows is a 4.7MB download.

Firefox for Windows users can obtain the update using the Tools-Options dialog. Click the Advanced button on the left and locate the Software Update section.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

From Steelhoof : How long would it take to be hacked if you sit up puter with no firewall or virus ware on it?

2005-05-12T12:09:00.000-07:00

IF you set up a poor Windows XP machine with no firewall or anti-virus software. Connecting it to the internet would be like throwing it into a lion pen with raw meat strapped to its hard drive. How long would it be before we were hit by something nasty on the net? Hours, minutes? As it turned out - eight seconds! ......It certainly was not for our PC, which crashed completely in less than 30 minutes.

see the rest of the story

And if your on DSL and not behind a router today your asking for more of the same, that from me, Lets. Would you believe...

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Beware

2005-05-10T08:18:00.000-07:00

The 14th is Mother-in-law Day

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Zero-Day Firefox Exploit Sends Mozilla Scrambling

2005-05-09T23:32:00.000-07:00

For the fourth time in three months, major security flaws in the upstart Firefox Web browser have pushed volunteers at the Mozilla Foundation into damage-control mode.

The open-source group late Sunday rushed out a partial fix for a pair of "extremely critical" Firefox vulnerabilities after zero-day exploit code leaked onto the Internet and promised a comprehensive patch would be available soon.

Mozilla's public acknowledgement of the vulnerabilities includes a chilling warning that an attacker could combine the flaws to execute malicious code without user interaction.

The vulnerabilities have been confirmed in Firefox 1.0.3. The Mozilla Suite is only "partially vulnerable" to the bugs, according to the Foundation.

Firefox users are urged to disable JavaScript immediately as a temporary workaround. Additionally, Mozilla recommends that the browser's software installation feature be disabled. This can be done by unchecking the "Allow web sites to install software" box, which can be found by selecting Options on the Tools menu and then Web Features.

eWEEK.com Special Report: Browser Security

Mozilla also modified the update servers to block a possible attack but made it clear this only provides partial protection. The updates were made to "update.mozilla.org" and "addons.mozilla.org," the two sites white-listed by default in Firefox. Software installation requests will now be redirected to "do-not-add.mozilla.org" to stop the publicly available exploit code from targeting the two vulnerabilities.

According to security alerts aggregator Sequoia, this is the first Firefox bug to carry an "extremely critical" rating. In a public advisory, Sequoia said the problem was detected in the way "IFRAME" JavaScript URLs are protected from being executed in the context of another URL in the history list.

"This can be exploited to execute arbitrary HTML and script code in a user's browser session in context of an arbitrary site," Sequoia warned in its advisory.

Additionally, input passed to the "IconURL" parameter in the browser's "InstallTrigger.install()" feature is not properly verified before being used. "This can be exploited to execute arbitrary JavaScript code with escalated privileges via a specially crafted JavaScript URL," the company said.

By default, only the Mozilla Foundation update site is allowed to bring up this dialog, but the script injection vulnerability allows this to be exploited from any malicious site.

The flaws and accompanying attack scenario were first discovered by security researchers at the Greyhats Security Group, which published a detailed technical explanation of the exploits. The research firm was quietly working with the Mozilla Foundation to create and deploy a patch but was forced to go public after FrSIRT (French Security Incident Response Team) published the exploit code.

The latest security hiccups follow a rapid batch of patches from Mozilla for Firefox flaws. In late February, Mozilla shipped a major security makeover to provide a temporary workaround for a widely reported IDN (International Domain Name) bug, and to correct two serious flaws that could allow malicious attackers to spoof the source displayed in the "Download Dialog" box or to spoof the content of Web sites.

Two weeks later, Mozilla rolled out Firefox 1.0.3 to correct a serious vulnerability caused by the way GIF files are processed by the browser.

Then, on April 16, another Firefox refresh shipped to correct a JavaScript Engine flaw that put users at risk of information disclosure attacks.

Firefox for Windows users can obtain the update using the Tools-Options dialog. Click the Advanced button on the left and locate the Software Update section. And keep looking updates shouldn't take any longer than it takes to write.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Warning from Trend Micro; WORM_MYTOB.ED

2005-05-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

WORM_MYTOB.ED

Trend Micro has released a warning regarding emails
that may possibly
contain a new virus in the attached files. The
virus name is
WORM_MYTOB.ED . Even though our Anti-Virus system
should detect and
delete these emails or strip the attachments, if
you do receive one of
these emails please do not open any attachments
that may be attached and
immediately delete the email.

The details of the email are as follows:

Subject: (any of the following)
- Error
- hello
- Here is your documents.
- Mail Delivery System
- Mail Transaction Failed
- Re: Thank you for delivery
- Server Report
- something for you
- Status
- *IMPORTANT* Please Validate Your Email Account
- *IMPORTANT* Your Account Has Been Locked
- Email Account Suspension
- Notice: **Last Warning**
- Notice:***Your email account will be suspended***
- Security measures
- Your email account access is restricted
- Your Email Account is Suspended For Security
Reasons

Message body: (any of the following)
- Account Information Are Attached!
- Once you have completed the form in the attached
file , your account
records will not be interrupted and will continue
as normal.
- please look at attached document.
- Please see the attachement.
- To safeguard your email account from possible
termination, please see
the attached file.
- To unblock your email account acces, please see
the attachement.
- We have suspended some of your email services, to
resolve the problem
you should read the attached document.

Attachment: (any of the following file names)
- email-doc
- email-info
- email-text
- information
- your_details
- document_full
- IMPORTANT
- info-text
- {random}
any of the following extensions)
- .exe
- .pif
- .scr
- .zip

It gathers target email addresses from the
Temporary Internet folder,
Windows address book (WAB), as well as from files
with certain extension
names. It may also generate email addresses by
using a list of names and
any of the domain names of the previously gathered
addresses.
This worm has backdoor capabilities, which allow a
remote user to
perform malicious commands on the affected machine.
The said routine
provides remote users virtual control over affected
systems, thus
compromising system security.
Moreover, it prevents users from accessing several
antivirus and
security Web sites by redirecting the connection to
the local machine.

For more details go here

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Introduction to Spyware (Keyloggers) from Sec.Focus

2005-05-07T11:31:00.000-07:00

Spyware overview
Spyware is a categorical term given to applications and software that log information about a user's online habits and report back to the software's creators. The effects of these programs range from unwanted pop-up ads and browser hijacking to more dangerous security breaches, which include the theft of personal information, keystroke logging, changing dialup ISP numbers to expensive toll numbers, and installing backdoors on a system that leave it open for hackers.

Spyware usually gets into the computer through banner ad-based software where the user is enticed to install the software for free. Other sources of spyware include instant messaging, various peer-to-peer applications, popular download managers, online gaming, many porn/crack sites, and more. Note that most, but not all, spyware is targeted exclusively at Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser. Users of modern Web browser alternatives, such as Mozilla's Firefox and Apple's Safari, are generally not affected by spyware at all.

The most recent delivery methods used by malicious spyware require no permission or interaction with the users at all. Dubbed as "drive-by downloads," [ref 1] the spyware application is delivered to the user without his knowledge simply when he visits a particular website, opens some zipped files, or clicks on a malicious pop-up ad that contains some active content such as ActiveX, Java Applets, and so on. Spyware can also be hidden in image files or in some cases has been shipped along with the drivers that come with a new hardware device.

Spying techniques
Depending upon the nature of the information gathered, each piece of spyware may function differently. Some spyware applications simply gather information about a user's surfing habits, purely for marketing purposes, while others are far more malicious. In any case, the spyware attempts to uniquely identify the information sent across a network by using a unique identifier, such as a cookie on the user's hard disk or a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID). [ref 2] The spyware then sends the logs directly to a remote user or a sever that is collecting this information. The collected information typically includes the infected user's hostname, IP address, and GUID, along with various login names, passwords and other keystrokes.

Types of keyloggers
As mentioned, keyloggers are applications that monitor a user's keystrokes and then send this information back to the malicious user. This can happen via email or to a malicious user's server somewhere on the Internet. These logs can then be used to collect email and online banking usernames and passwords from unsuspecting users or even capture source code being developed in software firms.

While keyloggers have been around for a long time, the growth of spyware over the last few years means they warrant renewed attention. In particular, this is due to the relative ease at which a computer can become infected -- a user simply has to visit the wrong website to become infected.

Keyloggers can be one of three types:

1. Hardware Keyloggers. These are small inline devices placed between the keyboard and the computer. Because of their size they can often go undetected for long periods of time -- however, they of course require physical access to the machine. These hardware devices have the power to capture hundreds of keystrokes including banking and email username and passwords.
2. Software using a hooking mechanism. This type logging is accomplished by using the Windows function SetWindowsHookEx() that monitors all keystrokes. The spyware will typically come packaged as an executable file that initiates the hook function, plus a DLL file to handle the logging functions. An application that calls SetWindowsHookEx() is capable of capturing even autocomplete passwords.
3. Kernel/driver keyloggers. This type of keylogger is at the kernel level and receives data directly from the input device (typically, a keyboard). It replaces the core software for interpreting keystrokes. It can be programmed to be virtually undetectable by taking advantage of the fact that it is executed on boot, before any user-level applications start. Since the program runs at the kernel level, one disadvantage to this approach it that it fails to capture autocomplete passwords, as this information is passed in the application layer.

Analyzing a keylogger
There are many different keyloggers available, including the Blazing Tools Perfect Keylogger [ref 3], Spector [ref 4], Invisible Keylogger Stealth [ref 5], and Keysnatch [ref 6]. Most of these have more or less the same set of features and way of functioning. Therefore, we will focus on one particular tool in our examples, the one from Blazing Tools.

The Blazing Tools Perfect Keylogger will be analyzed in this paper because it has been found hidden in so many Trojans on the Internet. It's a good example of a common hook-type keylogger. Although Blazing Tools markets its products to IT administrators and parents, the presence of their keylogger in many Trojans illustrates how people can package legal code and use it for malicious activities. The following features of the "Perfect Keylogger" are of use to anyone trying to spy on an unsuspecting user:

1. Stealth Mode. In this mode no icon is present in the taskbar and the keylogger is virtually hidden.
2. Remote Installation. The keylogger has a feature whereby it can attach to other programs and can be sent by e-mail to install on the remote PC in stealth mode. It will then send keystrokes, screenshots and websites visited to the attacker by e-mail or via FTP.
3. Smart Rename. This feature allows a user to rename all keylogger's executable files and registry entries.

More later, another time

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Some HDTV General info.

2005-05-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

The first noticeable difference is HDTV's much wider screen. In the current analog system, the width of the picture divided by its height gives you a ratio of 4/3. HDTV, on the other hand, has a width to height ratio of 16/9, which closely resembles that of a movie screen. The second key feature is that HDTV has more than six times the sharpness and clarity of analog TV. The HDTV picture contains 1080 vertical picture elements (pixels) by 1920 horizontal pixels, for a total of more than two million. The analog picture contains a total of 230,400 pixels.

That means it's 5 or 6 times brighter as well.
Just an FYI.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

New feature at the "Big Red Y"

2005-05-07T09:26:00.000-07:00

http://360.yahoo.com/index_beta.html Yeah it's a blog feature. I'll be looking at this as fast as I can.

Yeah, the iBlog site wasn't that great to or for me.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

From Steelhoof: Good news, for now anyway - Court yanks down FCC's broadcast flag (Or, the court say, No you can't take HDTV Cards off the market)

2005-05-06T21:05:00.000-07:00

By Declan McCullagh
Staff Writer, CNET News.com

In a stunning victory for hardware makers and television buffs, a federal appeals court has tossed out government rules that would have outlawed many digital TV receivers and tuner cards starting July 1.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled Friday that the Federal Communications Commission did not have the authority to prohibit the manufacture of computer and video hardware that doesn't have copy protection technology known as the "broadcast flag." The regulations, which the FCC created in November 2003, had been intended to limit unauthorized Internet redistribution of over-the-air TV broadcasts.
News.context

What's new:
A federal appeals court has squelched an FCC rule that would have required TV gear to use copy protection technology known as a "broadcast flag."

Bottom line:

The ruling is a big setback for Hollywood studios, which sought to limit unauthorized Internet redistribution of over-the-air TV broadcasts. But it's a reprieve for makers of HDTV sets, PC tuner cards, and USB and Firewire tuners.

More stories on this topic

"The broadcast flag regulations exceed the agency's delegated authority under the statute," a three-judge panel unanimously concluded. "The FCC has no authority to regulate consumer electronic devices that can be used for receipt of wire or radio communication when those devices are not engaged in the process of radio or wire transmission." (Click here for a PDF of the decision.)

One result of Friday's ruling is that, unless it's eventually overturned by a higher court, the fight over digital TV piracy will return to Capitol Hill. The D.C. appeals court noted that the FCC "has no power to act" until "Congress confers power on it" by enacting a law explicitly authorizing the broadcast flag.

Under the FCC rules, starting in July digital TV tuner manufacturers would have had to include the broadcast flag. The flag limits a person's ability to redistribute video clips made from the recorded over-the-air broadcasts.

But in January, a coalition of librarians and public interest groups filed suit against the regulations, arguing that they would sharply curtail the ability of librarians and consumers to make "fair use" of copyrighted works and would curb interoperability between devices.

Friday's ruling represents a sizable setback for the Motion Picture Association of America, which had lobbied for the broadcast flag rules and had intervened in the lawsuit to defend them. But it's a reprieve for makers of HDTV sets, PC tuner cards, and USB and Firewire tuners--which will no longer have to redesign their products to comply with FCC rules.
special coverage
Finally, you are in control
Broadcast and cable networks are losing the ability to dictate programming. Also: What TVs to buy, and when.

James Burger, a lawyer at Dow, Lohnes and Albertson who opposed the broadcast flag on behalf of tech companies, said the FCC's legal theory was deeply worrying for computer makers.

"It would have turned the Federal Communications Commission into the Federal Computer Commission," Burger said. "Do you know of a computer now that doesn't touch the telecommunications infrastructure? The FCC was asserting jurisdiction over all information technology."

A digital game of capture the flag
Under the proposed rule, it would have become illegal to "sell or distribute" any product capable of receiving broadcast-flagged shows unless the product complies with the FCC's regulations.

Such products could handle flagged broadcasts only in specific ways set by the government. Those essentially include delivering analog output without copy protection, digital output to a few low-end displays, or high-quality digital output to devices that also adhere to the broadcast flag specification.

In general, consumers would have been able to record broadcast-flagged shows and movies, but would only be able to play them back on the same device. The FCC rules specify that all devices must uniquely link "such recording with a single covered demodulator product, using a cryptographic protocol or other effective means, so that such recording cannot be accessed in usable form by another product."

Broadcasters are not required to tag their shows and movies with the flag. It's up to each local station and network.

During oral arguments in February, the three judges on the appellate panel foreshadowed this week's decision by suggesting that the FCC had overstepped what the law permits.

"You're out there in the whole world, regulating. Are washing machines next?" asked Judge Harry Edwards. Quipped Judge David Sentelle: "You can't regulate washing machines. You can't rule the world."

Some manufacturers of HDTV tuner cards had planned to discontinue their current products because they did not recognize the broadcast flag.

"We don't support the flag in our current hardware, meaning that if there is flagged content, we'll ignore the flag," Nicholas Freeman of Elgato Systems said in an interview last month. "After July of this year, we wouldn't be able to manufacture it anymore."

Elgato sells the EyeTV line of products, which includes the EyeTV 500 HDTV tuner for the Macintosh. The EyeTV 500 does not abide by the broadcast flag restrictions.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Phishers Dodge Shutdowns by Striking via 'Botnets'

2005-05-05T17:04:00.000-07:00

By Ryan Naraine of Eweek.com

Phishing attacks may be on the decline, but don't think for a minute that the Internet scam artists have found new jobs.

Security researchers have uncovered evidence of a highly organized phishing network implementing a new tactic to keep malicious Web sites online: using botnets as DNS (Domain Name System) servers.

"This is a clever trick that makes it more difficult to 'dismember' the methods they're using to host the phishing sites," said Mike Poor, founder and senior security analyst at Intelguardians Network Intelligence LLC.

Poor, who doubles as an incident handler for the SANS Internet Storm Center, said the elaborate attack scenario involves the use of hijacked computers to host not only the malicious phishing site but also the DNS servers that provide domain resolution services for the targeted domain name.

A botnet is a collection of compromised machines infested with malware like keystroke loggers, Trojan horses or back doors. Malicious hackers control the botnets remotely, usually via IRC (Internet Relay Chat) sessions, sending instructions to the infected machines to launch spam runs or host malicious sites.

By turning the botnets into DNS servers, the attackers are able to automate the cat-and-mouse game with ISPs that routinely shut down the malicious servers.

"They're basically serving up lots of different IP addresses for the malicious site and changing those IP addresses every five minutes. This makes it virtually impossible to shut down the malicious server," Poor said.

"We now have the hijacked computers serving up the phishing sites and also handling DNS resolution. And it's rapidly changing, almost in an automated manner. This is quite new as far as using DNS servers to work in conjunction with phishing," he added.

The latest tactic has been described as a "distributed phishing scam" that provides further evidence that a well-organized ring is operating the scheme.

Thor Larholm, a senior security researcher with PivX Solutions Inc., is convinced that the use of botnets to handle name-server resolution is the work of a small, well-organized group. "I'd say no more than 200 people, primarily from the United States, are responsible for 90 percent of all spam worldwide. You can fit these guys into that group," Larholm said in an interview with Ziff Davis Internet News.

Larholm said the ability to move to a new DNS server every time a malicious server is shut down gives the scammers a major advantage and effectively blunts most anti-phishing initiatives.

The SANS ISC said the onus now shifts to domain name registrars to offer a formal procedure for dealing with requests to shut down a particular domain name.

The Center, which tracks and reports on malicious Internet activity, said ISPs can also combat the attacks by implementing a form of domain hijacking to intercept and redirect malicious DNS traffic passing through the network.

"While this approach does not entirely mitigate the issue, it does mitigate it within the ISP's network; it is particularly effective if implemented by a large ISP. Considering the limitations of this mechanism, having domain registrars develop processes for addressing this attack scenario would be very helpful," the Center said.

Joe Stewart, senior security researcher at managed services vendor LURHQ Corp., said the latest trick looks eerily similar to Migmaf, the reverse-proxy Trojan that handled spam runs in 2003.

With Migmaf installed on compromised machines connected to cable modems, Stewart said, the spammers could move Web sites around at will, minute by minute. "Back then, the press zeroed in on the porn sites that were being served up, but there was a phishing element to that attack. The intent was to steal credit card numbers when people visited those sites and signed up," Stewart explained.

Stewart said the latest misuse of DNS resolution points to an "escalating war" between phishers and companies deploying anti-phishing technologies. "It has picked up to the point where it's similar to how the anti-virus companies try to stay ahead of virus writers. They're usually a day behind."

"If they keep getting shut down at one ISP, they're simply moving that DNS server to another infected cable modem user in a matter of minutes. They have a large pool of available servers so it exacerbates the problem," Stewart added.

The latest botnet-as-DNS scenario follows recent reports of DNS cache poisoning attacks that redirected Web surfers to malicious sites. Cache poisoning occurs when incorrect or false DNS records are inserted into a DNS server's cache tables, overwriting a valid-name server record with its own DNS server address.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Steelhoof on Spam: Be on the lookout for a BAD piece of Email

2005-04-29T16:54:00.000-07:00

This one is going to get ya. How we're not sure yet, but it can't be good. And Monster.com are the ones being use to get ya. Notice I put in a capital M in Monster.com, that's because M and RN don't look alike but m and rn DO. So, someone has opened up a new domain name of "rnonster.com" and is useing it in a Email as a clickable link to have you click on it. And start your having that really bad day I tell ya about.

I've already put Monster.com on it. And by the way, Monster.com's IP is "63.121.29.1"

The other one is "66.8.###.132". And no, I not going to show you the hole IP, you might do something wrong. But I will show you this as it's not ture and why:

Domain Name : rnonster.com (Note:this is the RN not Monster)

::Registrant::
Name : Todd Patton
Email : rnonster@yahoo.com
Address : 2300 West Alabama #87
Zipcode : 77098
Nation : US
Tel : 713-526-4892

And all the "Whois" info above, IE, the name, Email, etc. is all bull.

JUST BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THIS ONE. But better yet, DON'T ever open up spam. Ever if you are interested in the idea it trying to sell you on. Take the idea and go do a search on it. Do your on homework, but don't click on spam. Because once you do you'll be getting spam from hundreds of others. That what they want. They want you to show them that you'll click on spam. Then they can sell your email address as someone who clicks on email.

Sidebar, a new search page for you to try, http://yagoohoogle.com/. It's cool and fun. And you get to search without any "ADS". If you like it and lets does, he's made it his home page. Do please donate a little something to him if you like it and want it to stay up.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

AOL's Netscape Upgrade May Not Fix Critical Flaw

2005-04-27T23:21:00.000-07:00

By Ryan Naraine of Eweek

AOL on Wednesday urged users of its Netscape Web browser to upgrade immediately to the latest beta version to protect against a potentially dangerous security vulnerability.

The flaw, which carries a "highly critical" rating from Secunia, has been confirmed in Netscape versions 6.x through 7.x.

Secunia did not release details on the vulnerability, but it appears to be the same GIF processing error that affected the Mozilla Foundation's Firefox browser.

According to a previously released Mozilla advisory, the flaw exists in the way the obsolete Netscape Extension 2 parses GIF images, and can lead to an exploitable heap overrun.

In extreme cases, an attacker can use a specially crafted GIF image to exploit the bug and run arbitrary code on the victim's machine.

Firefox has already corrected the flaw in version 1.0.2, but that fix has not yet been imported into Netscape 8.0, America Online Inc.'s most recent beta, which uses the Firefox 1.0 code base.

"The deficiencies noted in Firefox 1.0 are inherited in Netscape 8 BETA in most cases. Patches to the Firefox code base will be imported into Netscape 8 BETA as they become available and are tested for compatibility. The recently released 1.0.1 patch has not been imported into Netscape 8 BETA," the documentation said.

Weinstein told Ziff Davis Internet News that the plan is to import all the Firefox security patches—up to Firefox 1.0.3—into the gold version of Netscape 8, which is expected to ship "over the next few weeks."

America Online is currently testing a stand-alone browser based on Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer and not on the Netscape engine.

According to Secunia statistics, about 50 percent of all reported vulnerabilities in Netscape 7.x remain unpatched. The statistics are based on 19 advisories between 2003 and 2005, and the ratings range in severity from "moderately critical" to "highly critical."

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

If you been harrmed online?

2005-04-26T18:06:00.000-07:00

File a complain:

http://www1.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Georgia Tech Information Security Center Raises Awareness of VoIP Security Issues

2005-04-26T14:38:00.000-07:00

Source: Georgia Tech Information Security Center

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2005--The Georgia Tech Information Security Center (GTISC), a national leader in information security research and education, last week hosted the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Security Summit, which examined security challenges associated with the innovative communications technology that enables consumers and businesses to use an Internet connection to carry their phone service. Telecommunications and security industry leaders from companies throughout the United States, including Avaya (NYSE: AV - News), BellSouth (NYSE: BLS - News), Ciena Corporation (Nasdaq: CIEN - News), Covergence, Internet Security Systems (Nasdaq: ISSX - News) and Telcordia Technologies participated in the Summit.

"VoIP has the potential to provide service providers, vendors and customers alike with major economic and social benefits resulting in significant time and cost savings, increased productivity, and better usage of available resources," said Mustaque Ahamad, director of GTISC. "At the VoIP Security Summit, GTISC has begun to educate consumers and enterprises about the security issues associated with this technology, and promote solutions to these potential challenges."

More than 250 corporate executives, industry leaders and technologists from across the country attended the VoIP Security Summit, which was held in conjunction with the second annual Tom E. Noonan Distinguished Lecture on Information Security. Noonan currently is chairman, CEO and president of Atlanta-based enterprise security company Internet Security Systems. This year's Noonan Lecture, entitled "Brand New Day: Open Networks and Open Society", was delivered by Reed Hundt, the former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and senior adviser to McKinsey & Company.

"Voice over IP presents a complex security challenge that requires change if it is to be addressed," said Hundt. "The starting point of a real solution is bringing together the right people, and at the VoIP Security Summit, GTISC accomplished that. I am very optimistic that GTISC has created the forum and assembled the stakeholders needed to resolve these issues, and I look forward to seeing their blueprint for the future of Voice over IP security."

Following Mr. Hundt's address, representatives from Avaya, BellSouth, Ciena Corporation, Covergence, Internet Security Systems, Telcordia and Georgia Tech participated in a panel about VoIP. Moderated by Richard DeMillo, the John P. Imlay Dean and Distinguished Professor of Computing at Georgia Tech, the panelists debated how security will impact the low service costs currently associated with VoIP, the role of public policy and regulation in leading security efforts, and whether security needs will be addressed before a major incident affects the network.

"As industry leaders in telecommunications and information security, BellSouth and the other organizations represented at the VoIP Security Summit have a responsibility to monitor the challenges of next generation technologies as they develop," said panelist Steve Zimba, director of voice strategy for BellSouth. "Providing our customers with convenient, affordable and safe means of communications is BellSouth's top priority, and we are looking forward to working with GTISC and other industry participants to tackle the security issues posed by Voice over IP."

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Do or if you use Yahoo, check out the Yahoo security page for some great info

2005-04-25T12:23:00.000-07:00

And even if you don't use Yahoo the info is still very good.
http://security.yahoo.com/

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

download the new opera 8, Opera Software Upgrades Hacker Defenses

2005-04-20T18:02:00.000-07:00

OSLO, Norway - Better security and the automatic scaling of Web pages to fit screens of any width are among the features included with a new browser released by Opera Software ASA on Tuesday.

In version 8 of Opera, a security information field automatically starts when a user visits a secure Web site, indicating the level of security on a scale of one to three and showing who owns the security certificate.

This way, surfers can evaluate the trustworthiness of banking and shopping Web sites and minimize the risk of phishing attacks, in which scammers send e-mail tricking recipients into revealing credit card numbers and other sensitive personal information.

The new browser version can be downloaded for free with advertising for the Windows and Linux operating systems. An ad-free version costs $39. Opera also released a test version, or "beta," for Mac OS computers.

Opera 8 rearranges Web pages as necessary so Web surfers can view them within narrower windows without having to slide a horizontal tab. This feature is particularly useful for the small screens of mobile phones; Opera sees such devices as a growth potential.

The browser also allows voice commands to the computer and having the machine read pages aloud, though the feature is only available in English and for the Windows 2000 and XP operating systems.

Opera commands less than 0.2 percent of the Windows market, behind the industry leading Internet Explorer from Microsoft Corp. and FireFox based on the Mozilla Foundation's open-source code, according to tracking by WebSideStory.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

More cell phone via Telemarketers info

2005-04-20T12:28:00.000-07:00

And from USAToday - 4-20

Telemarketers won't ring up cell phones

By Paul Davidson, USA TODAY

Stay calm: You're not about to be bombarded with telemarketing calls on your cell phone.

Ominous e-mails that have been warning consumers that telemarketers will soon start calling cell phone numbers are either part of a hoax or a misunderstanding by those who sent the messages, regulators and consumer groups say.

Still, the messages — widely assumed to be legitimate — are triggering a surge in sign-ups for the national do-not-call list.

The e-mails zigzagged the nation last fall and have resurfaced over the past few weeks. And once again, they are spreading worry at a time of heightened concern about privacy breaches.

One e-mail offers a "quick reminder" that "in a few weeks, cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls" that incur a charge. To fend off the onslaught, readers are urged to register their wireless numbers on the national do-not-call list. Telemarketers are barred from calling numbers on the popular registry, which includes 88 million numbers.

During the week that ended April 2,new do-not-call registrations totaled 400,000, about double the usual volume, and reached 1 million the next week, the Federal Trade Commission says.

It's unclear what prompted the e-mails. But they appear to stem from reports last year that wireless carriers plan a national directory of cell phone numbers. That news sparked fears that telemarketers would gain access to the cell phone numbers.

But the anxiety is unfounded. First, it's illegal to make sales pitches to wireless phones by using automatic dialers — which is how the vast majority of telemarketing calls are placed. (One reason is that cellular users must pay for incoming calls.)

Also, most of the big wireless carriers have chosen either not to take part in the directory or to put off any plans to do so in light of consumer fears. They say any directory would include only those customers who agreed to participate and that the numbers would not be shared with telemarketers or anyone else. Congress has considered a bill to codify such rules.

"I think this started from someone being confused about the directory," says Janee Briesemeister of Consumers Union.

Briesemeister worried at first that the e-mails were part of a scam to fool consumers into turning over their cell phone numbers to telemarketers. But the number provided really is for do-not-call registrations.

Consumers can add their numbers — cell phone or landline — to the list by calling 888-382-1222 from the number they want to register. They can also do so at www.donotcall.gov.
END

Good luck!!!

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

OK, Cell phone in doors can now be better for all

2005-04-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

Spotwave's carrier-approved indoor coverage solutions seamlessly bring the outdoor signal inside for your Cell.

and more... shotwave.com

I know you thought I do computer info, well I do. But you tell me where the line is today between a cell phone, a PDA, and a computer. I just try to "ENPOWER" BY "ENABLING". Just because I don't have a cell doesn't mean you don't and just because I don't think I need one, doesn't mean I won't later. And for those who have really dropped by to see me that have cells I may be gaving you better cell bars inside my place. And yes, I know that you have to go outside to talk on a cell now. Boy do I know it.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

In Computer safey, slow doesn't win the race, Symantec to enter anti-spyware market

2005-04-19T23:17:00.000-07:00

This should show you way I dropped Symantec yrs. ago.

Posted on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 21:15 by Laurence Norah

Symantec, makers of a wide range of anti-virus solutions including the popular Norton suite, have announced that they will be entering the anti-spyware market, and have released a public beta version of Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition.

Spyware continues to grow as a threat to consumers, but there are already a large number of tools out there which can be used to combat the problem effectively. Even Microsoft offer a free tool to clean spyware which seems to work well, so this offering from Symantec is entering quite a full marketplace.

However, it would no doubt be remiss of Symantec to leave spyware out of it's Internet Security suite, given the prevalence of spyware in todays world. Symantec believe that users prefer the approach whereby one product fits all a users security needs, rather than having to rely on a plethora of different products from different companies, even if they have to pay for such a privledge.

It'll certainly be interesting to see how popular this offering is with users, and whether or not this will prompt other anti-virus vendors to provide anti-spyware tools with their software.
END

AVG is the name of the Anti-Virus I use and it's free. Ad-Aware is what's good for spyware and you should have one other spyware type program as there is no one program right now that does it all. SpyBot is the other one I use. And I run them ever week . That should gave you an idea as to how offen you should run it on your puter.

Zone Alarm is my firewall right now. And it's free as are Ad-Aware and Spybot.

And if your on DSL, or not maybe, the router of choose for me is Linksys by Cisco. And the model is BEFSR41. Just go to linksys.com and click on the Educate me button. $60 at Radio Shack.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Norway's Opera Ups Security in New Web Browser

2005-04-19T21:20:00.000-07:00

By Alister Doyle from Reuters

OSLO (Reuters) - Norway's Opera Software (OPERA.OL) added tighter security against Internet fraud and new voice technology to a browser unveiled on Tuesday in a struggle to win users away from market leader Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT - news).

Listed on the Oslo bourse since March 2004, Opera hopes the upgraded browser will lift its market share, now 1 percent to 7 percent according to the national market and a fraction of the 90 percent grip by Microsoft's Internet Explorer in the United States.

"Security is very important because that's the thing that makes people switch" to a new browser, Opera's chief executive and co-founder Jon von Tetzchner told Reuters.

"We hope people will switch because of security and stay because of the other features," he said. The security feature for Opera's new version 8 desktop computer browser gives extra information on the identity of suspicious sites.

Opera's upgraded browser also includes technology in which a computer-generated voice can be used to read out highlighted text from web pages. It is also faster and has more ability to save and search pages.

Opera says it has 10 million users of its previous browsers, but only 100,000 have paid $44.08 for a version excluding advertisements. Most others use a free version.

Opera is often portrayed as a David against a Microsoft Goliath but also faces fast-growing rivals like Firefox, developed by a network of computer programers, which has gained about five percent of the U.S. market since its 2004 launch.

"It's a little bit surprising that Opera hasn't grown more when Firefox increased their market share so much," said Ole Andre Hagen, an analyst at ABG Sundal Collier.

He said security vulnerabilities for Microsoft had spurred growth for Firefox, despite recent fixes by Microsoft.

GONE PHISHING

Opera's extra security seeks to dampen "phishing" -- jargon for when a hoaxer's Website tricks users into typing out their bank account number or passwords by masquerading as a trusted site, perhaps saying "account update needed."

Opera's solution is for the browser to display the underlying security certificate of each site -- an icon of a yellow padlock on trustworthy sites -- to help users judge reliability. It will also show where pop-ups come from.

"If the site says one name and the security certificate another you might get suspicious," von Tetzchner said. No other browser had the feature, he said.

The new browser also includes new voice recognition software. If a user highlights text, for instance of a news story, a computer-generated voice can read it out.

"We're trying to make the Internet more available for everyone," von Tetzchner said, adding it could aid people with poor sight.

Opera also supplies browsers for mobile phones from Nokia (NOK1V.HE) to Motorola (NYSE:MOT - news). The browser squeezes web pages into a thin stack to give, Opera says, easier and fuller viewing than on a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) phone.

In turn, the mobile phone technology is in the new desktop browser to give flexibility in arranging slim web pages.

"We've shipped on more than 10 million (mobile phone) units," von Tetzchner said, adding the browser was installed on at least 2 million phones in the first quarter and last quarter of 2004. "The trend is upwards," he said.

Opera had 2004 pre-tax profits of 85.6 million Norwegian crowns ($13.51 million), up from 1.8 million the year before. ($1=6.334 Norwegian Crown) ($1=.7712 Euro)

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Microsoft Talks Up Longhorn Features. New OS out in 06, maybe. Here we go again.

2005-04-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Millard, newsfactor.com

Microsoft is starting to get chatty about the features of Longhorn, its upcoming operating system that is slated for release in late 2006.

Company executives have noted that in comparison to Windows XP, Longhorn will be easier to use, less costly to manage and more secure, according to news reports. The company also has given some journalists and analysts a limited preview of Longhorn's features.

Longhorn was unveiled at a developers conference in 2003, and scheduled for shipment a few years after that. However, numerous development issues have pushed back the release date.

Inside Look

Some of the main features unveiled include a more secure user access system, a virtual file system to aid application compatibility, and a secure startup mode to work well with hardware and software security controls.

Better deployment and management changes also have been highlighted, which could make corporate users and I.T. departments more eagerly anticipate Longhorn's release.

Another new aspect is the use of better graphics processing, which will change some of the system's look and feel.

Long Wait

Microsoft's show-and-tell move comes as the company faces possible development delays because of a recent injunction.

San Jose-based Alacritech sued Microsoft last year over intellectual property concerns surrounding Longhorn's TCP offload architecture, code-named "Chimney."

Although Alacritech asked the court to ban Microsoft from developing or releasing the entire Longhorn system, the judge granted the company a more limited injunction, focused only on Chimney. (been here before, and this time the gov. knows better)

Building Excitement

Microsoft's recent desire to lift the veil of secrecy surrounding Longhorn, combined with the possible desire to deflect attention from the injunction, could inject some much-needed enthusiasm into potential Longhorn users.

"It's a complex, multilayered, massive undertaking and it will really change the market after it comes out," said Gartner Group analyst Steve Kleynhans. "It's not surprising Microsoft would want to start some buzz going in anticipation."

It is likely that some features will change, especially Chimney, but at this point Microsoft seems more focused on touting the benefits of Longhorn as a whole.

"Because of the change that Longhorn will generate, Microsoft is looking to get everyone on board before it ships," said Kleynhans.
END

It'll be a year after it comes out before I will even think of trying it.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Free Internet Voice Chat Now on 100 Million Desktops

2005-04-18T11:26:00.000-07:00

Erika Morphy, newsfactor.com

Not quite two years old, Skype has reached a milestone in customer deployment. One hundred million people have downloaded the Internet telephony company's software.

At the same time, the company announced two more premium services to drive revenues and to create stickiness among its customer base. The two services, now in beta, are SkypeIn and Skype Voicemail. They work on Linux, Mac OS X, Pocket PC and Windows platforms.

SkypeIn lets customers receive inbound calls to their Skype clients from ordinary fixed telephones or mobile phones while they travel worldwide -- without having to pay roaming charges. Skype Voicemail lets users manage incoming voicemail messages.

"Skype is ... expanding premium services that extend Skype portability, mobility and ubiquity across a variety of platforms, including the traditional phone network," said Niklas Zennstrom, Skype CEO and cofounder.

"SkypeIn and Skype Voicemail enhance the basic free Skype and now allows friends, family and colleagues not connected to the Internet an inexpensive and convenient way to contact members of our global user base."

Joining Skype Out

Skype was among the first wave of companies to attempt to carve a valid revenue model out of this technology. Offered for free initially to get consumers used to the technology, Skype rolled out its first premium service last year called SkypeOut, which allows global calling to public telephone numbers for local rates. Skype said it has more than 1.2 million users of this service.

The SkypeIn services allow customers to choose a country and area code and are assigned a regular telephone number. Anyone might call the SkypeIn user at their SkypeIn number wherever the user travels, according to the company.

Users may purchase up to three numbers from their home country in Denmark, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States during the beta period.

Three month SkypeIn subscriptions are available for US$13 and 12 month subscriptions for $39. Skype Voicemail subscriptions are available for $7 for 3 months or $19 for 12 months.

Price War

Indeed it is by offering such low prices that vendors hope to carve out market share. A new report by IDC shows that VoIP service is beginning to catch on in the United States, in large part by aggressive marketing efforts based on price.

"Companies like Vonage and Skype are in a strong position, but cable operators including Cablevision are ramping up their VoIP offerings, as are the major telecom firms like Verizon and Sprint," said IDC analyst Will Stofega.

Analysts project that the number of U.S. subscribers to residential VoIP services will soar to 27 million by 2009 from some 3 million in 2005.

"VoIP is still in the nascent stage, with growth coming from "early adopters" (that's me, I've had an acc. with Skype for some 2 yrs now) looking to save money on their phone bills," Stofega said. "Among the providers, it's a price game now."
END
And if your a reg. reader of this blog you've read of them before. 'And I know of at lease one very security minded tech company that does work for the FED. that uses Skype as well.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

An FYI if you use Adobe or Macromedia products

2005-04-18T08:44:00.000-07:00

Adobe Buys Macromedia in $3.4B Stock Deal
AP - 27 minutes ago
Combining two of the largest makers of software for creating and delivering digital content, Adobe Systems Inc. said Monday it will acquire Macromedia Inc. in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $3.4 billion.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

A REMINDER...In a few weeks, cell phone numbers are being released toTelemarketing companies and you'll be getting sale calls. That you'll pay for.

2005-04-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

I wasn't aware this was going to happen, but with the war and all I guess the government is too busy to stop it. Actually, it more like they're not going to CARE FOR YOU, they're going to care for big bussines. Why? Don't they for "for the People". Well, if you sent them MONEY, and you don't they'd work for you. Big bussines does send them money so they do for big bussines and not you. SEE?

YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS...

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone:

888/382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. Or log on to

https://www.donotcall.gov

It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5)
years.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS, and tell'em they should be reading this site too.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

2005-04-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

Intel unveils its first WiMAX chip
AFP
NEW YORK (AFP) - Intel Corp. unveiled its first communications chip that uses WiMAX, a wireless technology that proponents hope will accelerate the spread of high-speed Internet access.
WiMAX can deliver Internet connections over a range of up to 16 kilometers (10 miles), compared with around 50 meters (150 feet) for the WiFi connections that are found in many offices, cafes and public places.

The new technology is targeted first at replacing stationary wired connections and later for mobile use with laptop computers.

WiMAX, short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a standards-based wireless technology for providing high-speed, last-mile broadband access to homes and businesses and for mobile wireless networks.

Initially Intel sees the technology as being used for delivery of broadband Internet access to remote areas not currently served by DSL phone line connections or cable.

"As a standards-based, high-speed Internet access solution, WiMAX can provide the platform for the next generation of Internet expansion, connecting the next billion Internet users," said Scott Richardson, general manager of Intel's Broadband Wireless Division.

"In addition to delivering the first flexible, highly integrated WiMAX system-on-chip, Intel has worked with a number of parties, including carriers and equipment manufacturers, to prepare the industry for the next wave of wireless technology."

Intel's new chip, formerly code-named Rosedale, is designed for use in devices that send and receive WiMAX signals in the home and from base stations owned by communications carriers.

Starting at 45 dollars in 1,000-unit quantities, Intel hopes the chip will help drive down the price of home WiMAX hardware.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

E-mail scam directs users to bogus Windows update

2005-04-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

By Dan Lee, Mercury News

An e-mail scam making its way around the Internet purports to be a message from Microsoft warning users of the Windows operating system that they need to download a security update -- only to leave their PC infected.

Once users link from the e-mail to a bogus Web site their computers will be infected by a ``Trojan horse'' program that allows hackers to control their personal computers, anti-virus software maker Sophos said Friday.

The campaign of bogus e-mails could be timed for around the same time as Microsoft's latest regularly scheduled security update, planned for Tuesday.

Microsoft said it was aware of the scam and added that it would never use e-mails with attached software. ``We really want to emphasize with customers that microsoft.com is the only place to get authentic security updates for Microsoft products,'' the Redmond, Wash., company said in a statement.

The scam e-mail claims to come from ``Windows Update,'' with subject lines such as ``Update your windows machine,'' ``Urgent Windows Update'' and ``Important Windows Update,'' Sophos said. The message has a link to a Web site that claims to be operated by Microsoft but is actually used to download the malicious software to the victim's computer.

Users who try to download software from the scam Web site would have their computers infected with a piece of Trojan virus named ``Troj/DSNX-05,'' which leaves a ``backdoor'' program giving hackers remote control of the computer.

PCs infected by such Trojans are often used by spammers as ``zombie'' machines to send massive waves of e-mail pitches, without their owners' knowledge, that are harder to trace to the original source.

``It's kind of a classic attack in how they went at it,'' said Gregg Mastoras, senior security analyst with Sophos.

But this Trojan was discovered by security researchers in August and was simply included in this new scam targeting Windows users, said David Perry, global director of education for anti-virus software maker Trend Micro.

``Everyone using reasonably updated anti-virus software, they will not be infected by this because they will be protected by their anti-virus software,'' Perry said.

Sophos and Trend Micro said Friday that the attack appears to be on a small scale.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Yahoo doesn't tell you to update your "Instant Messenger" So don't

2005-04-09T20:45:00.000-07:00

If you get an "info" window that opens up next time you go to use your Yahoo Messenger don't pay any attancen to it. Yahoo has never do it and is not doing it now. If you see this do an Alt.+Ctrl.+DEl and end it that way. Do not click on anypart of the the window itself. If you do you'll be taken to a website that well do you GREAT HARM.
But do go to http://messenger.yahoo.com and downloard a new messenger and instill it. Over the older one that some one got to you though.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

First Convicted Spammer Gets 9 Years

2005-04-09T20:41:00.000-07:00

By MATTHEW BARAKAT, Associated Press Writer
LEESBURG, Va. - He was once considered among the top 10 spammers in the world, using the Internet to peddle pornography and sham products and services like the "FedEx refunding processor," prosecutors say. Convicted in the nation's first felony case against illegal spamming, Jeremy Jaynes, 30, on Friday was sentenced to nine years in prison for bombarding Internet users with the junk e-mails.

But Loudoun County Circuit Judge Thomas Horne delayed the start of Jaynes' prison term while the case is appealed, saying the law is new and raises constitutional questions.

Jaynes was convicted in November for using false Internet addresses and aliases to send mass e-mail ads through an AOL server in Loudoun County, where America Online is based. Under Virginia law, sending unsolicited bulk e-mail itself is not a crime unless the sender masks his identity.

While prosecutors presented evidence of just 53,000 illegal e-mails, authorities believe Jaynes was responsible for spewing out 10 million e-mails a day. Prosecutors say his operation grossed up to $750,000 per month.

A jury recommended the nine-year term for the Raleigh, N.C., man.

Prosecutor Lisa Hicks-Thomas said she was pleased with Friday's ruling — and confident the law would be upheld on appeal.

But defense attorney David Oblon argued nine years was far too long given Jaynes was charged as an out-of-state resident with violating a Virginia law that had taken effect just weeks before. He planned to challenge both the constitutionality of the law and its applicability to Jaynes.

"We have no doubt that we will win on appeal, therefore any sentence is somewhat moot. Still, the sentence is not what we recommended and we're disappointed," Oblon said outside court.

Horne said he might also reconsider the sentence if Jaynes loses the appeal.

"I do not believe a person should go to prison for a law that is invalid," he said. "There are substantial legal issues that need to be brought before the appellate court."

A judge has ruled Maryland's anti-spam law unconstitutional because it seeks to regulate commerce outside the state's borders. However, an appeals court in California and the Washington state Supreme Court have upheld state laws that had been declared unconstitutional by lower courts on grounds similar to the December ruling in Maryland.

Many states have criminal laws against spam, but Virginia's makes it easier than others for prosecutors to obtain a felony conviction, which carries more jail time than a misdemeanor, said Quinn Jalli of the online marketing firm Digital Impact.

Jaynes told the judge regardless of how the appeal turns out, "I can guarantee the court I will not be involved in the e-mail marketing business again." He remains under $1 million bond.

The jury also convicted Jaynes's sister, Jessica DeGroot, but recommended only a $7,500 fine. Her conviction was later dismissed by the judge. A third defendant, Richard Rutkowski of Cary, N.C., was acquitted.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Yahoo Adds Anti-Spyware To Firefox Toolbar

2005-04-07T23:39:00.000-07:00

Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO - news) has added its anti-spyware to its toolbar for the Firefox browser.

The Sunnyvale, Calif., portal also released this week a version of its Firefox toolbar for people using the open-source browser on Mac and Linux operating systems.

Yahoo Anti-Spy, available for download at no charge, enables users to remove spyware and adware from their computers. The utility had been available only in Firefox for Windows.

Along with anti-spyware, the Yahoo Toolbar lets user search a single website and add news syndication feeds to a person's My Yahoo homepage. In addition, the utility stores a user's search history and provides alerts when email arrives in a person's Yahoo account.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Mossberg on puters & prices as of these days

2005-04-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

Spring Buyer's Guide: PC Prices Get Cheaper, But Complexity Grows

By WALTER S. MOSSBERG

If you're in the market for a desktop PC this spring, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that you can buy a lot of computer for a surprisingly small sum. The bad news is that you have to take more factors into account than ever.

Your new desktop computer, in many cases, will be asked not only to run productivity programs and get you online, but to hook up to a constellation of other devices, such as digital cameras, camcorders and portable music players. And it will have to withstand mounting security threats.

So here's my annual spring buyer's guide to desktop PCs. As always, my advice is aimed at mainstream users doing the most common tasks. Hard-core gamers or folks doing massive video production need bigger, faster computers than those specified here.

You should be able to get a bare-bones Windows computer, with a monitor, for well under $500 after rebates. Three different chain stores this week were advertising an entry-level eMachines model for $339, after rebates, with a monitor and printer. It was decently equipped, with an 80-gigabyte hard disk. And for $60 more, you could double the memory and add a DVD recorder. Midrange Windows models with better features are $500 to $1,000. Even some Media Center models are under $1,000.

Windows or Mac: Because they are beautifully designed and so far haven't attracted viruses or spyware, Apple Computer's Macintosh models are getting more consideration than they have in years from Windows users. You can now buy a full-fledged, decently equipped Mac, called the Mac Mini, for just $499. It doesn't include a keyboard, mouse or monitor, but it can use the ones you already have on your old Windows machine. Doubling the memory adds $75.

Apple's iMac G5 models, starting at $1,299, are an even better choice. They use a powerful processor called the G5, and they have a brilliant built-in flat-panel screen. The Mac does everything a typical user needs at least as well as a Windows computer, and it's about to get a major new upgrade of its operating system, which already bests Windows in some respects.

But switching to the Mac isn't right for every user, and it requires buyers to master new software, some of which must be bought separately. Plus, the cheapest Windows PCs still cost less. So most Windows owners will likely stick with Windows.

Security: If you do go with Windows, you will need to immediately install an array of security programs. These include a firewall, an antivirus program, an antispyware program and an antispam program. For a full list of my recommendations for Windows security add-ons, take a look at http://ptech.wsj.com/archive/ptech-20040916.html.

Most of this isn't needed on a Mac, but Mac buyers may want to get an antivirus program because the Mac isn't invulnerable.

Memory: Memory, or RAM, is the most important factor in computer performance. Insist on 512 megabytes, especially if the PC's main memory is shared with the video system, as it often is on low-priced models.

Hard disk: Even very cheap PCs now offer 60 or 80 gigabytes of hard-disk space, and 250-gigabyte disks are offered in costlier models. Get as much hard disk as you can, especially if you plan to store a lot of music or video content.

Processor: Processor speed is overrated. On Windows machines, any Intel Celeron or Pentium microprocessor chip, or any AMD microprocessor, regardless of speed, will do fine at the most common computing tasks.

Device connectors: For connecting music players, cameras and other peripherals, get a PC with plenty of USB 2.0 connectors, including at least one on the computer's front. If you have a camcorder that can't use USB, you'll need an extra high-speed port called 1394, or FireWire.

Memory-card slots: Look for a model with slots that accept the various types of memory cards used by digital cameras, PDAs and music players.

Video system: Cheaper PCs use something called "integrated video." But the best route is to invest in a PC with a separate video card and dedicated video memory.

Audio system: If you're a music fan, spend extra for a subwoofer and good speakers.

Monitor: Flat-panel screens are best for most uses. The 17-inch flat panels now cost less than $300. Many 19-inch models can be had for $400 or less.

Mass storage: Look for a CD-RW drive that lets you record your own CDs for playing music, storing photos or backing up or exchanging files. If you do a lot of home video or photos, you may want to invest in a DVD recording drive.

Media Centers: A Windows Media Center PC is designed to be operated with a remote control from across the room to play music and videos, view photos and watch TV. But be careful with the cheapest of these machines. They may omit the TV, and even the remote.

Brands: All Windows desktops are similar, but unless you're a techie, stick with names like Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Sony, Gateway and eMachines. For greater control over your configuration, buy on the Web.

One more thing -- my most important tip: Don't let a salesperson talk you into more, or less, machine than you need. If you're confused at the store or Web site, walk away until you can get the answers you need to make an informed purchase.
END

P.S. From me. There is a reason for the low prices. There is a new big motherboard coming out. And they are out at tigerdirect.com and others. It is going to Double the Pipeline of your computer. Remember when we when from 16 to 32 byte motherboards, and how if you want to use one you needed a new case becuase the old cases could not be used with the new boards. WEll, and I don't really know anything as yet for sure on this time around, but we could run into the samethings. Never the less, sellers want to get their old motherboards out of their store and off the shelves. So, low prices on the old boards so they can get the new ones in and not get stuck with any old boards. So the longer you wait the lower the price, maybe.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Yahoo! Wallet

2005-04-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! Wallet

Yahoo! Wallet is a secure online storage system for payment information. The virtual wallet holds your credit card data and shipping information. When you make an online purchase with Yahoo! Wallet, you enter your Wallet information instead of your credit card information. Yahoo! then completes the transaction with the merchant, using high-security connections to transmit your credit card number.

You can use the Yahoo! Wallet only in a Yahoo! store or when buying a Yahoo! service. You can't use it on eBay, or at Amazon.com, or any shopping haunt outside Yahoo! The Wallet does work in every Yahoo! store, however, which means thousands of online merchants accept Wallet transactions.

Yahoo! Wallet provides a secure method of shopping online, and beyond the safety it offers, it also saves you time. No longer, when shopping at a Yahoo! store or buying a Yahoo! service, do you need to dig out your credit card, enter personal information, and type your shipping address. All of that is accomplished in the single quick step of entering your security key.

The security key is the . . . um, key to the whole Wallet. It's like the PIN of a bankcard. You enter the key whenever using the Wallet to buy goods or services from a Yahoo! page or merchant. The Wallet does the rest of the work.

To check it out and sign up, visit the Yahoo! Wallet site for more details. And if you enjoy the ease of shopping with a Yahoo! Wallet, then you might also be interested in the Microsoft .Net Passport service, which can save you time at even more online merchants.

If you'll check out DiscoverCard online & look into thier "one use" card number you have the safest ways to pay online.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Edit the Registry Safely - don't if you don't have to, but it you do

2005-04-05T14:32:00.000-07:00

Windows XP has a vast number of configuration dialogs, but some adjustments can be performed only by directly editing the Registry. Frequently, tips involving Registry tweaks include stern warnings to back up the Registry before making any change. The Windows XP Backup applet can back up the Registry along with other elements of the System State, but the resulting data file can occupy hundreds of megabytes. You're better off saving a system restore point each time you're about to edit the Registry. Better still, you can use Regedit to back up only the Registry keys that will be changed.

Click on Start | Run and enter Regedit to launch the Registry editor. To back up an individual key you plan to edit, navigate to the key and right-click on it. Choose Export from the menu, and save the key to a REG file. Open the REG file in Notepad and insert a few comment lines that describe the source and purpose of the tweak. (To create a comment line, simply put a semicolon at the start of the line.)

Now go ahead and make all the changes to Registry keys and values specified by the tip you're applying. Any time you add a new key or value, make a note of it with another comment line in the REG file. When you're done, save the REG file and close Notepad.

If later you want to undo this Registry tweak, just double-click on the REG file and confirm that you want to add it to the Registry. This will restore any deleted keys or values and will restore the original data for any values whose data was changed. Note that this will not remove new keys or values that were added; that's why you need to make comments about such changes.

Right-click on the REG file and choose Edit, which will open it in Notepad. Check for comments about keys or values that were added, and if you find any, use Regedit to delete them. You can delete the REG file itself once you've completed this process.

NOTE: If you don't know what a reg is don't get into editing it. Call me if you need help or need to know more to be able to talk to someone else so they'll understand what you think you need to do.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Money Matters - Limitations on Tax Deductions

2005-04-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

If you're a high-income earner, tax laws limit the amount of itemized deductions you may subtract when calculating your taxable income. You have to reduce your total itemized deductions by 3 percent of your income above $139,500.

Here's how it works: Say that your income is $159,900, and your total itemized deductions come to $30,000. Because your income exceeds $139,500 by $20,000, you have to reduce your itemized deductions by $600 ($20,000 x 3 percent). Even though you started with itemized deductions of $30,000, you can deduct only $29,400.

Of course, given a large enough income and low enough total deductions, the 3 percent rule threatens to wipe out all your deductions. Don't worry. The IRS has benevolently set a limit on the amount that your deductions can be reduced — no more than 80 percent. So if we take the preceding example but boost your income to $1 million, you still get to deduct $6,000, because your $30,000 in deductions can't be reduced by more than $24,000 ($30,000 x 80 percent).

If you're in this high-income category and your spirits are down, here's a little consolation (and something to make it all a little more complicated). Not all of your deductions are subject to the 3 percent rule: Medical and dental expenses, investment interest, casualty and theft losses, and gambling losses are all exempt.

Knowing this 3 percent rule and all of its nuances is important if you're a high-income earner, because it can affect some of your financial decisions. The 3 percent rule raises your effective tax rate and may encourage you, for example, to spend less on a home or pay off your mortgage faster, because you don't merit a full deduction.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

It's Tus. update your Anti-Verus software

2005-04-05T07:26:00.000-07:00

Hackers Write Spyware For Cash, Not Fame

2005-04-04T23:23:00.000-07:00

Gregg Keizer, TechWeb News

More than 70 percent of virus writers are now writing spyware under contract, one more piece of evidence that hacking has evolved from mischievous hobby to money-making criminal venture, a security firm reported Monday.

Tel Aviv-based Aladdin Knowledge Systems said its analysis showed that spyware is the favorite among malware writers, since it lets them re-wrap their own "technology" and sell it, or even introduce their own money-making ventures.

"We analyzed all the viruses we received during the past six months, and found that 70 percent contained some sort of spyware module or component," said Shimon Gruper, the vice president of technologies in Aladdin's eSafe unit. "Writers have definitely moved from creating simple viruses to sophisticated 'machines' designed to hijack computers and the information on them."

The bulk of the spyware being created by hackers, said Gruper, linked to organized crime. "They're doing it for financial gain, pure and simple," said Gruper. "Unlike in the past, when hackers were mostly 'script kiddies' who had nothing better to do, it's quickly becoming more of an organized crime venture."

Gruper's take mirrors that of most security analysts, who have been tracking a shift in hacker motivation over the past 12 to 18 months. Symantec, for instance, noted in its recent Internet Security Threat Report that "the use of malicious code for profit appears to be an increasing concern," particularly in bot networks.

Aladdin didn't concentrate on bots, but instead did detailed comparisons of spyware it found on sex-related Web sites, and found, Gruper said, that most shared multiple characteristics. "We believe that the same programmers wrote the bulk of the spyware being planted by these sex sites," he said.

Gruper's security team also found other connections between the viruses and worms it studied, and much of the spyware it analyzed. "When we started tracking spyware, we suspected that this was a trend, hackers turning to spyware for profit. After we decoded the viruses and compared their code with that of spyware, we confirmed the similarities. There were a lot of similar components in both the viruses and in the spyware."

Aladdin, added Gruper, is confident that even more spyware applications will be linked to organized crime in the future, such spyware created by new alliances of those with the technical resources (hackers) and those with the resources to turn stolen data into cash (criminals).

One thing that Aladdin's not yet seen, said Gruper, is a true blend of virus/worm and spyware. In that scenario, worms would be built to exploit known vulnerabilities or try to trick users into opening file attachments that would then infect systems with spyware.

"It's certainly possible, but most companies have anti-virus defenses that are hard to penetrate," he said. "Yet very few companies have Web browsing content protections."

The most likely exploitation route for spyware will remain malicious Web sites, where visitors are infected with spyware, often via vulnerabilities in Microsoft's Internet Explorer, said Gruper. "These people are professionals," concluded Gruper, "trying to do very malicious things."

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Net Aids Access to Sensitive ID Data

2005-04-04T17:53:00.000-07:00

By Jonathan Krim, Washington Post Staff Writer

Want someone else's Social Security number?

It's $35 at www.secret-info.com. It's $45 at www.Iinfosearch.com, where users can also sign up for a report containing an individual's credit-card charges, as well as an e-mail with other "tips, secrets & spy info!" The Web site Gum-shoes.com promises that "if the information is out there, our licensed investigators can find it."

Although Social Security numbers are one of the most powerful pieces of personal information an identity thief can possess, they remain widely available and inexpensive despite public outcry and the threat of a congressional crackdown after breaches at large information brokers.

Brokers such as ChoicePoint Inc. and LexisNexis have pledged to restrict the availability of such data after personal information on more than 175,000 people was purloined from the two firms by identity thieves posing as legitimate businessmen.

So far, neither those moves nor revelations of a series of breaches at major banks and universities has curbed a multi-tiered and sometimes shadowy marketplace of selling and re-selling personal data that is vulnerable to similar fraud.

A simple Internet search yields more than a dozen Web sites offering an array of personal data.

Some are run by small data brokers and other re-sellers. Others are run by private investigators, many of whom have complained that recently announced restrictions on the availability of Social Security numbers would hurt their ability to assist law-enforcement, track down deadbeat dads or locate witnesses.

Yet with only scant checks to verify whether someone requesting data is legitimate, several sites sell full Social Security numbers, potentially contributing to an epidemic of identity theft or fraud that touched about 10 million Americans in the past year.

No law prohibits the sale of Social Security numbers, but privacy experts and some government agencies have warned for years that the number is over-used and under-protected.

Inaugurated in 1936, the nine-digit number was intended to match citizens to the retirement money they would eventually receive. Over time, the number became essential for getting or verifying credit and for employment background checks.

Eventually, it became so deeply linked to personal data throughout the economy that it became a de-facto national identifier.

"For identity thieves, it's their magic key . . . that gets into every door," said Daniel J. Solove, a George Washington University law school professor who specializes in privacy law. Getting a number can make it possible for criminals to access to bank or credit-card accounts, establish credit to make purchases, or find someone they wish to harm.

Nonetheless, some insurance companies still use the Social Security number as an individual's account number, printing it on identification cards, leaving people vulnerable if wallets are stolen or lost. Medical offices routinely request Social Security numbers, often when initial appointments are made, and many universities use it as a student identification number.

According to a recent study commissioned by Unisys Corp., a technology consulting company, about half of large financial institutions use Social Security numbers to verify the identities of customers who call in for services. Some even use it to identify customers as part of the log-in process when they want to access accounts via the Internet.

So vital are Social Security numbers in this sea of information that ChoicePoint warned investors in a recent Securities and Exchange Commission filing that its business could suffer if the rules on distribution of Social Security numbers were tightened.

The mass breaches of data at ChoicePoint and LexisNexis forced the companies to be proactive.

Executives of both firms told Congress last month that for many of their non-law-enforcement clients, Social Security numbers would be truncated so that only five digits would appear on reports.

But plenty of sources of the information still exist. Using an intermediary, The Washington Post was able to obtain the full Social Security number of a reporter within 24 hours from two of three online providers the intermediary contacted.

Not all of the providers advertise Social Security numbers, and those that do promise to verify that the buyer has a legitimate reason for seeking the number, such as to complete tax forms of an employee or to find someone involved in a court action.

The intermediary, a security consultant who helped the Federal Trade Commission identify illegal data sales in 1999, told the providers he needed the number for tax purposes. Two providers accepted that reason without question or requests for documentation. A third provider refused to provide Social Security numbers.

Robert Douglas, the intermediary, operates the consulting firm PrivacyToday.com. Douglas, who chose the method of acquiring the numbers on his own, said he used the pretext of tax preparation because that would be a common trick used by an identity thief at this time of year.

Michael Leighton, a North Carolina private investigator who operates secret-info.com, acknowledged that he did not request further documentation from Douglas. But he said the company verifies that a requester is calling from a land-based phone line with a valid address. Douglas said he used a cell phone.

"We get on average between 30 and 75 requests a week," Leighton said. "We maybe do less than 10" because others did not have a valid reason for seeking a Social Security number.

Leighton declined to say whether he received the data directly from a large data broker, or from other re-sellers.

The other site that provided the reporter's number, USRecordsearch.com, does not advertise that it sells the numbers. But with the same explanation for why he wanted the data, Douglas received the reporter's full number.

A principal of the Florida-based company did not respond to phone messages seeking comment.

Under a law that took effect in 2001, non-public data from financial records cannot be sold or transferred without giving individuals a chance to opt out. There are several exceptions, however, including employment checks, for tax filing, or to process a financial transaction.

But the system relies on the honesty of the person seeking data, and the diligence of the person selling it.

"Until Congress understands about the re-sale market here, they are not going be able to get a handle on this problem," Douglas said.

Bruce Hulme, chairman of the legislative committee of the National Council of Investigation & Security Services, the largest investigators' trade group, said he could not condone investigators who make a side business out of indiscriminately selling data.

"They should pull those Web sites down," he said. "They better know the client."

Still, Hulme said private investigators have generally proved to be more careful stewards of private data than are information brokers. His organization is beginning a lobbying campaign to ensure that any new laws don't cut off private investigators' access to data they say they need.

Several members of Congress are sponsoring new privacy legislation, including bills that would ban the sale of Social Security numbers without individuals' permission.

Private investigators are clearly worried. In Internet chat groups, they exchange information on which data brokers are still selling full Social Security numbers, while bemoaning how they are being punished for the security lapses of the brokers.

For their part, ChoicePoint and LexisNexis say they are "re-credentialing" all non-government clients. At ChoicePoint, those who use the Internet to request information were greeted with a pop-up notice indicating that privileges might be restored after the certification process was complete.

ChoicePoint declined to provide an executive for an interview. Spokeswoman Kristen McCaughan said the company plans to give full access only to government or law-enforcement agencies, banks and insurance companies. She declined to say how many of its customers, including private investigators, would end up with restricted access.

McCaughan said the company sells data to fewer than 15 other brokers or re-sellers, and that their access will now be subject to stricter guidelines.

A LexisNexis spokesman said clients downgraded to restricted access included law firms, media and private investigators.

The financial services industry argues that it has steadily reduced its reliance on the Social Security number for several years, but that the number's use has benefits for consumers.

Nessa Feddis, senior federal counsel of the American Bankers Association, said that with so many numbers consumers already must remember, using Social Security numbers to verify accounts makes sense.

If a credit-card is lost or stolen, she said, a consumer can quickly report the missing card to a bank by knowing his or her Social Security number. If the only accepted identifier was a separate account number, she said, the person would have to wait until he or she could get to a credit-card statement at home.

Privacy experts argue that at the very least, institutions should employ multiple test questions when people call in, rather than just the Social Security number. And they point out that if the number is compromised, it is hard to limit the damage because new numbers are almost never issued.

"The current system has the worst of all worlds," Solove said. "Anyone can easily find it [the Social Security number] out . . . It's used everywhere, and it's really hard to change if it falls in the wrong hands. How could you come up with a worse system?"

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Next-Generation Internetworks - Consortium Builds Next-Generation Internet

2005-04-04T11:44:00.000-07:00

David M. Ewalt - Forbes.com
NEW YORK - The next generation of Internet networks isn't being dreamed up at Bill Gates' mountain retreat, pondered inside a corporate boardroom or sketched out in a basement research lab. It's already been built by a consortium that includes 207 universities, along with private and public research labs and government agencies. It's called Internet2, and it works like a test kitchen for tomorrow's networking innovations.

Internet2 is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1996 for the purpose of developing advanced networking technologies. It serves as an information clearing house, facilitating the exchange of research between members and allowing them to co-develop new bits of hardware and software.

"For a lot of these organizations, having a way to work with leading edge networks gives them an ability to sort of live in the future," says Internet2 Chief Executive Officer Doug Van Houweling. "If you really want to test what can be done, we provide an opportunity to do that."

Instrumental in that mission is Abilene, the consortium's private network. The most advanced research and education network in the United States, it connects member institutions at a rate of 10 gigabits per second, roughly 20,000 times faster than a typical home broadband connection. Four million users--mostly students, researchers and professors--use it to share information and test high-bandwidth applications that just couldn't run over the commercial internet.

Some of these applications are ones you might already use, like videoconferencing. But Abilene's users have such a high-quality connection that they don't have to deal with the shakes, jitters, slowness and errors common in existing commercial products, which opens up all kinds of new uses. Miami's New World Symphony uses Abilene to teach music classes to students. The connection provides enough clarity that it sounds like the student and teacher are in the same room, allowing instructors to identify wrong notes with the certainty that it isn't just a bad connection.

It's not just students taking advantage of Abilene's big pipes. About 60 corporations count themselves as members of Internet2, including tech giants Cisco Systems (nasdaq: CSCO - news - people ), IBM (nyse: IBM - news - people ), Microsoft (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ) and MCI (nasdaq: MCIP - news - people ). "We actually provide a vantage point for our corporate members to see what advanced networks will look like, what they could do if they were working in a really high-bandwidth environment," says Van Houweling.

Juniper Networks (nasdaq: JNPR - news - people ) counts Internet2 as both a client and a partner. A member since 2000, Juniper provided the high-performance 10-gigabit routers which hold Abilene together. Now they're using that powerful backbone to understand the demands of future computer users and test equipment for eventual commercial release.

Networks like Abilene are different from existing consumer networks. On today's Internet, traffic flows in millions of small streams, consisting mostly of simple communications like e-mail, text-based Web pages and instant messages. But on Abilene, information travels through a few hundred extremely large rivers in the form of high-bandwidth applications and complex academic systems. This puts different stresses on hardware and provides a unique test bed for products under development.

"We beta-test things on the Abilene network," says John Jameson, director of research education markets for Juniper. "It gives us a chance to bake our equipment in networks with large bandwidth requirements and allows us to stay on the cutting edge for all kinds of pipes. If these guys weren't building high performance networks we'd be at a loss."

Juniper is currently connecting an engineering lab in Sunnyvale, Calif. to the Abilene network, installing routers that are completely surrounded by monitoring equipment so they can play with their configuration and see how that affects traffic flow. "This is something that you can't really recreate in a test lab, and telecom carriers can't be putting monitors in the middle of their networks," says Jameson. This monitoring opportunity will help them develop products that can handle the high-bandwidth requirements of tomorrow's networks.

"When downloading movies over the Internet becomes common, there will be bigger flows of information than ever before, and we'll have had years of experience handling it," he says.

Indeed, the proliferation of broadband applications like movies and video are what will drive deployment and adoption of next-generation networks like Abilene. But that's not expected to occur for several years.

But Internet2 isn't just about fast networks. The consortium has also made progress developing innovative software and services. "We're helping corporations experiment with and develop compatible ways of managing privacy and security" says Van Houweling.

One application, called Shibboleth, is a piece of open source software that enables users to share restricted online resources. Without the software, if a college or business wanted to subscribe to some kind of online database, they'd have to create hundreds or thousands of accounts, one for each individual user. That's a huge administrative burden, and particularly complicated in schools where new students are enrolling and old ones are graduating. But Shibboleth handles all the identification and authentication of users in between the school and the database, thus reducing the complexity of management and protecting the privacy of individual users. Pennsylvania State University is using the program to allow its students to access music download service Napster to give them a legal alternative to file sharing.

Development of the software was supported with funding from several public and private universities and the National Science Foundation. It's a partnership that might have been hard to come by if Internet2 wasn't around to serve as fertile ground for networking innovation.

"There aren't a lot of places which invite people with ideas across the full range to come together and talk about what makes sense for the future," says Van Houweling. "We want to make sure we help fill the vacuum that was left when the bloom went off the Internet rose."

There was a period when there were thousands of startups trying all kinds of things, Van Houweling notes, but now many of them are gone, and the remaining big corporations can't spend as much on research and development.

Internet2 helps fill that void. "We think that we're a highly effective way for corporations to come together, look at what's needed and jointly participate in building the technology that we're all going to need in the future."

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Enjoy some tech stuff

2005-04-02T22:21:00.000-08:00

This is one fun site if you just took a trip by plane
http://www4.passur.com/lax.html
OK, I gotta tell ya, it's going to work better the faster you chip speed is and the greater your ram. It's wasn't that great for me with my 750 chip and 512 of ram laptop.
P.S. If you change the date BACK one day you'll see all the info on the plane you check on. Ya really only have to go back 3 hrs. to see it all. ENJOY!

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Hacker attacks exploit browsers, Web apps

2005-04-01T14:44:00.000-08:00

By: Chad Redfern

According to the latest report from security software company Symantec (www.symantec.com), every computer user needs to make a conscious effort to keep his computer safe and secure. The biannual report provides analysis of trends in Internet attacks, malicious activity and security risks. Symantec has warned that vulnerabilities in web applications and browsers are continuing to pose serious threats, allowing hackers to access confidential information. Hackers are increasingly using attacks that exploit browsers rather than trying to batter through firewalls and other network protection devices, according to Symantec.

The biannual report showed that there was a great increase in the number of strategic and coordinated attacks on application and browsers. Last year such threats accounted for barely a third of all reported vulnerabilities. Symantec warned that web applications are popular targets because they are widely deployed and can allow attackers to circumvent traditional security measures such as firewalls. Web application vulnerabilities made up 48 percent of all vulnerabilities disclosed, up from 39 percent in the first half of 2004, according to the results from Symantec.

Symantec found that on average organizations received 13.6 attacks per day, up from 10.6. Significantly, for the third straight reporting period, the Microsoft SQL Server Resolution Service Stack Overflow Attack (formerly referred to as the Slammer Attack) was the most targeted vulnerability, used by 22 percent of all attackers. Symantec reported 1,403 new vulnerabilities, a 13 percent increase over the previous six-month period.

Windows and Microsoft users, you’re not alone. The Symantec report also predicts that hackers are becoming more interested in Macs during 2005, specifically mentioning sales of low-priced mini Macs. As more casual, less tech-savvy users adopt Macs, expect to hear more about vulnerabilities exposed within the Mac OS, which is based on the Unix operating system. Other security companies confirm Symantec’s finding and are seeing an uptick in Mac OS flaws and vulnerabilities.

It is important to remember that information is the key target for hackers. Over half of the attacks, viruses and trojans reported last year were designed to capture personal data. Also, this year we should expect to see an increase use of embedded content in audio and video images to launch hidden attacks. Symantec expects security risks associated with adware and spyware will likely increase. Impending legislation to curb these risks is not expected to be an effective or sufficient deterrent on its own.

The Symantec report pointed out that many other personal electronic devices are under attack.

“As more people leave their desktops and start accessing the Internet via mobile devices, so too do the crackers, these attacks will continue to grow as Bluetooth and adoption sets in,” Symantec officials said.

The bottom-line is that it is critical to make sure your operating systems, firewalls, browsers, applications and virus protection are up-to date.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Microsoft Sues Alleged Identity Thieves

2005-03-31T20:46:00.000-08:00

Associated Press: Technology
REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp. on Thursday filed 117 federal lawsuits against unnamed defendants, accusing them of a high-tech form of identity theft known as "phishing."

The lawsuits, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, accuses the "John Doe" defendants of using mass e-mail or pop-up ads to coerce consumers into revealing personal information such as bank account information, passwords or social security numbers.

The Redmond-based software company said it filed the lawsuits in hopes of uncovering some of the largest operators.

In phishing scams, the Internet-based communications often purport to be from legitimate organizations, such as banks, and use that perception of a trusted relationship to get people to reveal personal information.

To avoid such identity theft, experts warn that users should be wary of giving out any personal information via e-mail or pop-up ads, especially if someone contacts them unexpectedly. Users also should be wary of clicking on e-mail links, which could divert a user to a malicious site that will then steal personal information.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Trend Micro Partners With SINA For Security Services

2005-03-30T22:47:00.000-08:00

Trend Micro announced this week an agreement with SINA, China's top Internet portal and most frequently visited Web site, to provide advanced security protection for more than 100 million email users in China and the global Chinese community.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Pharming (farming) Attacks Outwit Even Savvy Surfers

2005-03-30T22:44:00.000-08:00

Pharming Attacks Outwit Even Savvy Surfers

The reason pharming can be lucrative is because it can

fool even fairly savvy computer users. This attack starts

when hackers take advantage of the ever-growing number of

peer-to-peer applications to help spyware, a Trojan horse,

or a virus slip past a computer's defenses and lodge

itself in the background of a user's PC.

Hackers possess two admirable traits: persistence and

ingenuity. These attributes have unfortunately lead to a

phenomenon known as "pharming," the latest in a

never-ending series of insidious attacks.

This new threat packages a number of established attack

methods, such as phishing, viruses, spyware, and Domain

Name Service (DNS) redirection, in a new manner with the

goal of perpetrating identity theft.

"Since pharming can be lucrative, a number of criminals

are quite interested in it," said Shawn Eldridge, chairman

of the Trusted Electronic Communications Forum (TECF), a

vendor consortium examining ways for companies to protect

consumers from various online scams.

The reason pharming can be lucrative is because it can

fool even fairly savvy computer users. This attack starts

when hackers take advantage of the ever-growing number of

peer-to-peer applications to help spyware, a Trojan horse,

or a virus slip past a computer's defenses and lodge

itself in the background of a user's PC.

Bogus Destinations

The malicious code locates the host files in the

computer's operating system and creates an IP address for

a criminal's Web site that is designed to look like a

legitimate site from a bank or credit card company. When

the user types the bank's or credit card company's URL

into his or her Web browser, the spyware bypasses the

typical search of the DNS (basically the Internet's white

pages) and inserts the bogus destination.

Unless he or she is paying close attention, the user does

not notice the change, arrives at the fraudulent Web site,

and enters personal data , like credit card numbers, bank

account information, or social security identifications.

Most people feel comfortable entering such personal

information , because they have gone to these Web sites in

the past without any problem.

As far as they can tell, nothing out of the ordinary has

occurred, but they have given personal information to

criminals who are now in a position to steal their

identity. Unfortunately as they have honed their craft,

pharmers have improved their lure.

"The first pharming sites were relatively easy to spot:

they were filled with typos, grammatical errors and skewed

URLs," noted Richi Jennings, leader of the anti-spam

practice at Ferris Research Inc., an e-mail market

research firm. "Recently, the attacks have become more

difficult to discern because the fraudulent sites more

closely resemble legitimate Web sites."
Successful Hacks

Successful pharming attacks have taken place. The Troj

Banker A/j worm, seen near the end of 2004, watched for

users visiting banking sites and redirected to bogus

locations run by pharmers. Other attacks were less

threatening. In November 2004, Google Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOG)

and Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN) users were sent to Med

Network Inc., an online pharmacy. In March 2003, a group

dubbed the "Freedom Cyber Force Militia" hijacked visitors

to the Al-Jazeera Web site and presented them with the

message "God Bless Our Troops."

"There have been a few instances where hackers have taken

over search engines and redirected unsuspecting users to

fraudulent Web sites," said Paul Luehr, vice president and

deputy general counsel at Stroz Friedberg, LLC, a

consulting firm specializing in computer security.

Pharming has been viewed as the natural follow-on to

phishing, an approach where hackers send users e-mail

messages, such as "You need to update your account," and

then whisk them away to bogus sites where the users

inadvertently hand over personal data. As users become

more aware of phishing and vendors enhance their defense

mechanisms against it, hackers look for another attack

mechanism and pharming seems like a viable option.
Multiple Parties

But there are a few differences in the two approaches.

"Pharming seems to be a more methodical attack than

phishing," TECF's Eldridge told TechNewsWorld. "With

pharming, a hacker sends out his work and then waits for

the user to enter the link and end up in the wrong site.

With phishing, the results tend to be seen fairly

quickly."

As a result, he thinks that two different groups of

individuals are conducting the two attacks.

Regardless of who is launching the attacks, companies and

end users want to take steps to limit their exposure to

them, so vendors have been developing products

specifically for it. Anonymizer Inc. developed software

that creates an encrypted path between a computer and a

Web site to shield users from spyware. The product

protects users against host file pharming attacks by

intercepting all browser requests and returning the page

information to the end user before the connection is made.

Enhancing a user's browser could also help to thwart

attackers. Netcraft Inc. offers a browser plug-in that

displays geographic information about the site being

visited. If a user notices that a mortgage company's site

is being supported by a server somewhere in Eastern

Europe, he or she can assume the site is illegitimate.

Another approach is enhancing browsers so they

authenticate the identity of a particular Web site via the

public DNS system, an approach that is gaining traction as

users try to verify email transactions.
Preventative Measures

In addition to technical advances, companies are adding a

few more steps to their authentication processes.

Financial institutions have been experimenting with

multi-factor authentication where a transaction is not

completed until a user calls back and confirms that he or

she did in fact move from an account. In some cases, banks

rely on Simple Message Services and wireless handsets to

notify users that money has been transferred from their

bank accounts or items added to their credit cards.

As the new defense mechanisms take hold, hackers work on

new attack schemes. "Unfortunately, cybercrime presents an

ongoing arms race: as soon as defenses arrive to stop

attacks, criminals attempt to perfect new attack

mechanisms," Stroz Friedberg's Luehr told TechNewsWorld.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Creating Multiple Shortcuts

2005-03-29T16:00:00.000-08:00

Open explorer (left click on the your Geen start botton) and go to a file folder from which you need to make multiple shortcuts to your desktop. Select all of the files you need by holding down the Ctrl button and left-clicking each file. When you are done selecting, right-click one of the selected files and drag to your desktop. Release the button and select "Create Shortcut" on the menu that appears and multiple shortcuts will appear on your desktop. Be careful to use the right mouse button when dragging, not the left. Otherwise you will actually move the files, and not just create shortcuts.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Stroke symptons, just an FYI

2005-03-28T17:42:00.000-08:00

This is not my story. Good info to have tucked in the back of our minds.

A true story - Susie is recuperating at an incredible pace for someone who had a massive stroke - all because Sherry saw Susie stumble - -(that is the key that isn't mentioned below) - and she then asked Susie the 3 questions. So simple - - this literally saved Susie's life - - I had received this informative e-mail the week Susie had her stroke.

Susie failed all three questions, and I called 911. Even though Susie had normal blood pressure readings and it did not appear to be a stroke, as she could converse to some extent with the Paramedics they took her to the hospital right away. I thank God for the sense to remember the 3 steps!

Read the following and Learn how to help recognize a possible stroke victim!

SOMETHING WE ALL NEED TO KNOW. IS IT A STROKE?

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

1. Ask the individual to SMILE.

2. Ask him / her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

3. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE.

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage. The quicker you act, the less damage to the patient's body.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this posting sends it to 10 people, you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Beginner Tip: Search Option

2005-03-28T16:05:00.000-08:00

Beginner Tip: Search Option
When you are searching for a file using "Find" or "Search" within the Start menu, you can use the ? as a single wild-card character in the name of the file for which you are looking.

For example: *.EXE will find all files with the EXE extension. ??LY.EXE will find all files with L and Y as the third and fourth letters of a four-character name and an EXE extension.

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Alternatives to Outlook, you know the PIM from Microsoft

2005-03-27T18:19:00.000-08:00

Joel Durham Jr. - ExtremeTech

Don't care for Microsoft Office products? Or do you just not feel the need to pay the market price for a PIM, many of whose features you might not need? There are plenty of alternatives to Outlook that offer varying levels of functionality and compatibility. Here's a rundown of some of what's out there.

Outlook Express

Outlook Express is a no-frills e-mail client that's nice if you don't care about the calendar and robust contact management of Outlook. It doesn't include its own spam filtering, so you'll need a third-party spam-management tool.

Free with Windows, Outlook Express lets you do e-mail and not much more. It includes simple message rules and a folder system. Its address book keeps a minimal amount of information handy, and features such as shared contact lists aren't available. Outlook Express is potentially adequate for those who fear complicated feature lists, but power users will feel limited by its lack of robustness.

Eudora

As a non-Microsoft alternative to Outlook, Eudora might be the ideal email client for you. It includes a powerful email function and a nice address book, plus a million ways to use them, but lacks the calendar that Outlook offers.

Eudora's strength lies in its interface. This program offers a ridiculous number of ways to customize how it looks and behaves, and if you wander around an office that uses Eudora as its primary email client you'll probably see a different configuration on each monitor. Furthermore, it lets you sort through its address book in any number of ways, allowing you to pinpoint recipients in seconds.

Features like MoodWatch (which flags possibly offensive strings in outgoing email to keep you from alienating someone) and ScamWatch (which helps you avoid succumbing to "phishing" scams) round out an already robust package. A powerful anti-spam feature filters out junk mail according to your preferences.

Three levels of Eudora are available: the full-featured paid version for around $50, the ad-sponsored version with fewer features and a banner ad to distract you, and the Lite version which is comparable to Outlook Express.

Mozilla Thunderbird (My choose)

From the makers of the popular Firefox browser (you know the one, the browser that's actually making a dent in Internet Explorer's market share[and don't forget Opera.com this one handles cookies better than the other two and it holds you web pages till us use it again]) comes an email client that's not only free, but vastly powerful.

Thunderbird does an amazing job with its intelligent filtering of junk email. Beyond that, it includes such things as an RSS reader, message grouping, a wildly customizable view and a groovy feature called Saved Search Folders: these powerful folders look like other email folders, except they execute a search function according to your criteria and they display messages with that criteria.

Like Firefox, Thunderbird is an open source project. You can grab user created themes to change its look and user created extensions to add functionality. In fact, one extension you can download is a calendar function, which the base program lacks.
source: http://tinyurl.com/4e9uu Want to know more about that URL and how I did that, call me.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Supreme Court Will Rule on ISP's to be gaven Cable Access

2005-03-26T07:13:00.000-08:00

Wayne Rash - eWEEK

When Brand X, a California ISP, gets its day in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, there will be a lot more at stake than whether the company can get access to cable lines. In fact, depending on the details of the court decision, the case could determine the way in which the Federal Communications Commission (news - web sites) regulates phone and information companies.

At the core of the case is Brand X. The ISP wants the FCC to require cable companies to sell access to their networks at wholesale in much the same way that EarthLink Inc. and other ISPs are sold access over DSL networks.

Stay tuned

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Man Sells Device That Blocks Fox News

2005-03-24T07:22:00.000-08:00

Man Sells Device That Blocks Fox News
By EMILY FREDRIX, Associated Press Writer
It's not that Sam Kimery objects to the views expressed on Fox News. The creator of the "Fox Blocker" contends the channel is not news at all. Kimery figures he's sold about 100 of the little silver bits of metal that screw into the back of most televisions, allowing people to filter Fox News from their sets, since its August debut.

The Tulsa, Okla., resident also has received thousands of e-mails, both angry and complimentary — as well as a few death threats.

"Apparently the making of terroristic threats against those who don't share your views is a high art form among a certain core audience," said Kimery, 45.

Formerly a registered Republican, even a precinct captain, Kimery became an independent in the 1990s when he said the state party stopped taking input from its everyday members.

Kimery now contends Fox News' top-level management dictates a conservative journalistic bias, that inaccuracies are never retracted, and what winds up on the air is more opinion than news. "I might as well be reading tabloids out of the grocery store," he says. "Anything to get a rise out of the viewer and to reinforce certain retrograde notions."

A Fox spokeswoman at the station's New York headquarters said the channel's ratings speak for themselves. For the first three months of this year, Fox has been averaging 1.62 million viewers in prime-time, compared with CNN's 805,000, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Kimery's motives go deeper than preventing people from watching the channel, which he acknowledges can be done without the Blocker. But he likens his device to burning a draft card, a tangible example of disagreement.

And he's taking this message to the network's advertisers. After buying the $8.95 device online, would-be blockers are shown a letter that they can send to advertisers via the Fox Blocker site.

"The point is not to block the channel or block free speech but to raise awareness," said Kimery, who works in the tech industry.

Kimery doesn't use the device himself; his remote is programmed to only a half-dozen channels. Plus he occasionally feels the need to tune into Fox News for something "especially heinous."

Business could pick up since the blocker was alluded to in a recent episode of the ABC drama "Boston Legal." The show's original script mentioned Fox News, but ABC had the references removed.

The boisterous conversations on Fox News may be why the station is so popular, said Matthew Felling, media director for the Center for Media and Public Affairs, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media watchdog group. And despite a perception that Fox leans to the right, Felling said, that doesn't mean people who lean left should tune out.

"It's tough to engage in an argument when you're not participating in it," Felling said. "It's just one more layer in the wall that the right and the left are building in between each other."

Fox Blocker: http://www.foxblocker.com

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Do you remember me telling you of "whois"? That how you find out who owns a website.

2005-03-23T22:19:00.000-08:00

Whois Privacy vs. Anonymity

From CircleID Privacy Matters

By Bob Parsons

The story can from http://www.circleid.com/article/986_0_1_0_C/

The Internet is often a lawless place. Everyone knows that there are many tricks and traps lurking on the Internet, just waiting to prey on unsuspecting and innocent users. Some of these traps will trash your computer while others will turn your PC into a zombie that will broadcast messages at the virus writer's command. Still other traps steal people's identity and in addition to stealing their money and good name, victims have to endure an incredible amount of hassle. Then there's spyware. The list of annoyances and downright criminal activities seem endless.

Law enforcement is just getting around to cleaning up the internet.

To make the Internet a safer place both legislators and law enforcement are now focusing on the Internet. In the crossfire that's taking place there are many ideas that are being offered up. Some of them are good and some are not. One bad decision that was recently forced upon the Internet community (without hearings -- more on this later) was to eliminate private domain name registrations for .US domain names. The purpose of this article is to explain why private domain name registrations are a good thing, and how they actually make the internet a safer place.

First, why the public WHOIS database is important.

The information in (or associated with) the WHOIS database is important to law enforcement, intellectual property and other attorneys, who use this data to locate domain name owners for the purpose of enforcing laws or addressing grievances. In certain cases, however, the information in the WHOIS database is not accurate. This is where the problem caused by anonymity rears its ugly head.

The problems with the public WHOIS database.

There are two big problems with the WHOIS database. One is that often times the information within the database is inaccurate. Inaccurate information happens mostly because some registrants who want to achieve anonymity -- for a myriad of reasons, some of which are despicable -- provide false information to begin with. The second problem with the WHOIS database is that there are many law abiding citizens who also, for a myriad of reasons, want their personal information not made available to the public.

Making the public WHOIS database 100% accurate has proven elusive.

Various government agencies, intellectual property organizations, attorneys, and others have long wrestled with how to improve the accuracy of information in the WHOIS database. To date, they have not been able to find a way to guarantee or even improve the accuracy of this information.

It is now illegal to provide false information when registering a domain name.

Last year, there was a brief attempt to make registrars responsible for the accuracy of the Whois database. Fortunately, that legislation failed. What did become law was a new, stiff penalty (7 years) for providing false WHOIS information. While this looming jail time might have some sway over US-based crooks, it will do little to get accurate information from those who live overseas.

Private domain registrations have the most accurate registrant information.

The most accurate domain registration information is that associated with private domain name registrations. The reason this information is accurate, is because people pay to make it private. If it wasn't accurate, if the information was false to begin with, the registrant would simply leave it as is. There would be no reason to incur the added, small expense of a private registration. Most law enforcement agencies and other intellectual property oriented organizations understand this fact, and support private registrations. In fact, every intellectual property organization and law enforcement representative that has contacted us regarding our private registration service has supported the service because of the accuracy of the underlying data compared to the general inaccuracy in the WHOIS database as a whole.

The reason law enforcement supports private registrations is that in addition to the information being the most accurate associated with domain name registrations, there's an added bonus. That bonus is accountability. Law enforcement knows that if it has an issue with a private domain name registration, that it will not only be able to find the actual registrant, but that the registrant will be accountable for whatever the issue happens to be. This is not the case with public WHOIS registrations, where anonymity is achieved by providing bogus information. There's often no way to track down a registrant who provided false information when registering their domain name.

Making the entire WHOIS private is not a good idea.

One last comment concerning the importance of private domain name registrations: There has also been talk about making the entire WHOIS private. This would not be a step in the right direction. There are several reasons why it wouldn't work. First, there are significant, additional costs for the registrar to manage private registrations. These costs include the daily processing of subpoenas, requests from law enforcement and complaints from companies and individuals. To this, add the cost to litigate lawsuits that are filed almost on a daily basis. These lawsuits typically involve copyright and/or slander complaints, and usually name the registrar as well as the domain holder. Presently, this cost is paid for by those who want private registrations. If all registrations are made private, the cost would be added to all registrations.

The other reason why making the entire WHOIS private is not a good idea, is that it would place an added burden on everyone (i.e., law enforcement, intellectual property and other attorneys, etc.) who need to get at the WHOIS information. Today, because of our public WHOIS, it is easy to determine if information associated with a public registration is valid or not. If the entire WHOIS would be made private, there would be a number of added and unnecessary steps to make this same determination. So you see, it's much better to keep the WHOIS public but allow those who want private domain name registrations the ability to purchase them.

It's important to understand the difference between privacy and anonymity.

This brings me to the issue of privacy versus anonymity. Not long ago, I was discussing this issue with David Lawrence, one of the most intelligent persons I know who just always seems to "get it." After I finished describing to him that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) ruled, without hearings of any kind, that private domain name registrations for .US domains will no longer be allowed, David commented that the issue is really one of privacy versus anonymity. He explained that privacy should be allowed, because with privacy comes accountability. Thus, Americans and others who enjoy privacy are law abiding citizens, and have no reason to fear being accountable for their use of privacy.

The NTIA edict makes the Internet a worse, and less safe, place.

What the NTIA is concerned about, and what their recent edict does not achieve, is the reduction of anonymity. In fact, it does just the opposite, because it now encourages those who want privacy for .US domain names to provide false information -- thus achieving anonymity.

Criminals seek anonymity, not privacy.

It's been my experience that those who are the criminals of the Internet, and who are engaged in spamming, phishing, pharming, identity theft, etc., take whatever actions they can think of to make themselves as anonymous as possible. Thus, when law enforcement and others attempt to track these crooks down, it's either very difficult or impossible. This is the problem with anonymity -- there is no accountability. Often, those who seek anonymity typically do so because they are up to no good, and want to be sure that they don't have to answer for whatever evil they are perpetrating.

Registrants who purchase private registrations have no problem with accountability.

In contract, those who seek privacy are fine receiving it with accountability. Law abiding citizens have no problem being held accountable for their actions. This is because, well, they are law abiding. So when people pay for private domain registrations they typically send three messages. The first message is that they are law abiding citizens; the second message is that they are willing to be held accountable for their actions; and the third and most important message, is that the registration information they are providing is valid.

Law abiding Americans are entitled to privacy.

The overriding message of this article is that the absolute, most accurate information associated with domain name registrations, is the information provided with private domain name registrations. The NTIA's decision to eliminate private .US registrations accomplishes exactly the opposite of what it wants to achieve -- better information that is more readily available. Instead, what the NTIA has done (besides denying law abiding Americans their Constitutional right to privacy) is to increase the anonymity in an already anonymous, wild, and often lawless Internet. And that is in nobody's best interests.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

FYI, Drive-by Trojans exploit browser flaws

2005-03-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

By John Leyden, The Register

Analysis Trojans - malicious programs that pose as benign apps - are usurping network worms to become the greatest malware menace. Sixteen of the 50 most frequent malicious code sightings reported to Symantec in the second half of 2004 were Trojans. In the first six months of last year, Trojans accounted for just eight of the top 50 malicious code reports.

Symantec blames Trojans for an upsurge in client-side exploits for web browsers. Trojans create the means to deliver malicious code onto vulnerable Windows PCs. Browsers are the primary target, but flaws in email clients, peer-to-peer networks, instant messaging clients, and media players can also be exploited in this way.
Browser beauty contest

Between July and December 2004 Symantec documented 13 vulnerabilities affecting Internet Explorer and 21 vulnerabilities affecting each of the Mozilla browsers. Six vulnerabilities were reported in Opera and none in Safari.
END

There's nothing new here, ya know. keep your AV (Anti Virus) up to date
and avoid certain types of sites, porn and hacked software sites, some gambling sites as well. That is about all you can do today and be sure your software
has its currrent patches. Steelhoof

scan scan scan, and be careful out there. D

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

Combating Wi-Fi's Evil Twin, another HACK

2005-03-22T16:15:00.000-08:00

Mark Long, wireless.newsfactor.com

Just when wireless hot-spot surfers thought it was safe to get back into the water, hackers have come up with new methods for mimicking corporate Web sites and intranets in the 802.11 environment.

Wi-Fi’s "evil twin" is basically a hacker who infiltrates a company by picking up its SSID (Service Set Identification) and learning what type of encryption is being used while sitting in a convenient spot outside the building, said IBM (NYSE: IBM - news) global solutions manager for managed security services Doug Conorich.

"Then the hacker will use a WLAN tool like Airsnort or other available freeware to suck off information about who is connecting to whom and what is happening on the Wi-Fi network," Conorich told NewsFactor.

The intruder will attempt to gain entry by posing as one of the access points of the company, masquerading as a corporate network or "the man in the middle," by using an antenna that is stronger than the one in the internal access point, Conorich explained. "Wi-Fi is going to connect to the strongest signal that is out there. And if the hacker has the stronger signal, then corporate people will latch onto it -- and the hacker will be able to take their credentials by emulating the corporate Web site."

A New National Pastime?

Although wireless hacking is rather new, it already is becoming something of a national pastime. There are clubs around the U.S. that are devoted to so-called "war chalking." "When club members find an access point, they will chalk it on the sidewalk, using a code that says whether the access point is open or closed, and gives the SSID and the channels being used," notes Conorich.

"People go out on a Friday or Saturday night, walk around and find as many access points as they can as a sort of contest," Conorich said. "In New York City, there is a Web site called NYCwireless that logs all of the Wi-Fi access points seen around the New York City area and lists their addresses, operating channels, and so on."

Although war chalking is not a threat to the enterprise in and of itself, it can become a prelude to "war driving" -- a game that involves driving around looking for vulnerable access points that may become targets for hack attacks at a later date, Conorich added.

Hiding the SSID

"Normally, what companies do to protect themselves is to hide their SSIDs by turning off their broadcast," said Conorich. "This forces hackers to know the SSID.”

But, if hackers wait long enough, they will be able to deduce the SSID -- the unique ID with a maximum of 32 characters that is attached to the header of a packet, notes Conorich. "Each probing laptop is going to send that SSID over the airwaves in clear text, so if I am monitoring the signal, I am eventually going to see what that SSID is."

Whenever possible, I.T. managers should avoid installing access points that will radiate signals beyond the confines of the physical enterprise. This will make it less likely that hackers can intercept enterprise traffic from the corporate parking lot.

Nevertheless, a hacker equipped with a highly directional antenna can pick up Wi-Fi signals over quite a distance, notes Symantec (Nasdaq: SYMC - news) senior director of engineering Alfred Huger, who acknowledges that a 3-meter dish left over from the early days of satellite TV certainly would do the trick.

Securing Existing Wi-Fi Corporate Nets

"At the base level, you need to make sure that WEP encryption is on, which sounds like a trivial matter, but many companies don't bother to encrypt their traffic at all," Huger told NewsFactor.

"And if you require the traffic to go through a VPN server, then the hacker will not be able to emulate the VPN connection --because that will force everybody to encrypt all their traffic," Huger said. "But no matter what you do, it does not stop people from trying to get to you," he acknowledged.

"If only VPN traffic is allowed to pass through the network, then, yes, protection can be had, inasmuch as total protection is humanly possible to achieve," Huger said. "But even then, the I.T. manager must always keep in mind that 'where there's a will, there's a way.'"

Routing users through a VPN does not preclude someone from getting onto the network and taking part in LAN traffic, notes Huger. For this reason, I.T. managers should consider not tying the Wi-Fi network directly to their corporate LANS.

A Proactive Approach

Businesses can take a more proactive approach by deploying a wireless intrusion-detection technology that connects to the system in much the same way as a wireless access point. But rather than handling traffic, the wireless sensor just "sniffs at all the traffic that goes by," notes Conorich.

"It allows companies to inventory all their assets, know every AP up on their area, every wireless device probing, then take an inventory that identifies which ones are theirs," says Conorich.

The next step is to determine the rogue access points, which basically fall into two categories: the rogue Access Point (AP) set up on the network, and the APs of a neighboring company or a Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX - news), which may be free access or corporate in nature. "Even though the latter don't belong to you, you'll need to want to identify them before you can ignore them," advises Conorich.

Public Hot-Spot Scenarios

Wi-Fi’s phishing also represents a serious threat to mobile workers, because it is all too easy for hackers to set up a false Web page that mimics a public hot spot in the airport or the local coffee shop.

The hacker merely needs to gain one-time access to the source to make a Web site copy that will be able to trick Wi-Fi surfers into disclosing private information, says McAfee AVERT Research Fellow Jimmy Kuo. Then, all that's required is for the spoofer to generate a signal that is strong enough to overwhelm the genuine hot spot AP.

Probably the only thing that would alert someone to the fact that they were being spoofed would be that the genuinely secure sites "typically operate under 'https,' while those mimicked would just be under 'http.'" Kuo told NewsFactor.

"One of the first things you want to do after logging on to a public hot spot "is to immediately log onto to the corporate network through the VPN process, which will encrypt every single transmission coming in and going out of your machine," Kuo advises.

"But the general rule is, if you are out in public, then assume that everything you do is in public," he says. If you are going to open an account over a public hot-spot connection, for example, "then you’d better make sure it doesn't have an open credit line."

Forcing the VPN connection

I.T. managers worried about hacker infiltration over notebooks parked in public may elect to deploy an anti-virus product -- such as Symantec Client Security, which incorporates a location-awareness function that allows the amount of network protection to change automatically, based on notebook location.

When the software program senses that the laptop is outside of the corporate firewall, then it automatically forces the network-connected device into running a VPN session, says Symantec Group Product Manager Kevin Haley.

"Once this happens, all traffic is encrypted to prevent someone from being able to listen in," Haley told NewsFactor. "So you can sit in a coffee shop on a Wi-Fi connection and have the same firewall protection as if you were behind the network gateway."

The software uses a number of criteria -- including domain and IP address -- to determine where the network-connected notebook is located at any given moment, Haley said. The software also gives I.T. managers the ability to establish a specific VPN policy for notebooks or even push a new policy out to the clients at will.
END

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".

This just learned, ID Theft stats for 2004

2005-03-22T15:20:00.000-08:00

9.3 million victims in the U.S. adding up to 53.6 Billion in Damages. Only 11.6% online. Lets see 10% of 53.6 Billion would be $5.36 Billion dollars. That onlline figure is down from a year ago, I hope that some credit may belong right here.

MY ADVICE endeavors at keen.com. The number is 1-800-275-5336 (800-ask-keen) + ext. 0329063 for tech stuff, 0329117 for running a small business, and 0329144 on investing. Want to CHAT, I use Yahoo's IM as the_web_ster. View me in the Friends & Family part of webcamnow.com, just click on "view cams", then in the Java window click on WebcamNow Communities drop down arrow & select Friends & Family. Under the live webcams look for & click on me "the_webster".