Sunbelt Adds Detection for ID Theft Keylogger, eWeek, August 11, 2005

“Anti-spyware vendor Sunbelt plans to release a free tool to zap a sophisticated keystroke logger being used by an organized ring of identity thieves. The spyware keylogger, named Srv.SSA-KeyLogger, was being used to hijack confidential data from millions of infected computers and send the information back to a remote server controlled by an identity theft ring.”

Full story at: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1847427,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594


MSN Makes More Blogging, Aggregator Tweaks, Microsoft Watch, August 11, 2005

“MSN is fleshing out its blogging and aggregator products by adding new features on a regular basis. MSN released its third refresh of their Start.com aggregator last month, Users of Microsoft's Start.com Web aggregator can now “roam their Start.com settings by enlisting their Microsoft Passport accounts, according to MSN programmers.”

Full story at: http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,1995,1847459,00.asp?kc=MWRSS02129TX1K0000535


New scam asks people to fax away data, cNet News, August 11, 2005

“Phlishers have added a new lure to their tackle boxes: emails that ask people to fax sensitive information to bogus security investigators. In new scam, attackers are sending email warnings that appear to come from PayPal, security specialist Sophos said Wednesday. These emails say that someone tried to reset the recipient’s password and asks him or her to participate in an investigation.”

Full story at: http://news.com.com/New+scam+asks+people+to+fax+away+data/2100-7349_3-5828551.html?part=rss&tag=5828551&subj=news


FAQ: Demystifying VoIP, cNet News, August 11, 2005

“As the popularity of voice over Internet Protocol surges, and lawmakers put more pressure on Net phone providers to fully support 911 services, many consumers are asking what exactly they need to know about the technology.”

Full story at: http://news.com.com/FAQ+Demystifying+VoIP/2100-7352_3-5827541.html?part=rss&tag=5827541&subj=news



Computer Theft Case Shows Database Perils, Yahoo News, August 12, 2005

“On the hunt for a hacker two years ago, security officials at data management company Acxiom Corp. discovered that an Internet address at one of its clients’ contractors was taking far more data than it should have. The email marketing contractor, Florida-based Snipermail.com, gathered contact information and sent bulk-email advertisements and sweepstakes offers on behalf of advertisers. But downloading 1.6 billion customer records – the equivalent of 550 telephone books filled with names, email and postal addresses – wasn’t part of the job.”

Full story at: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050812/ap_on_hi_te/computer_privacy_fallout


Yahoo deal reflects huge potential of China’s Internet market: analysts

“A tie-up between US based Yahoo and Chinese website Alibaba.com reflects the growing drive to tap the massive unexploited potential offered by Asia’s fastest-growing Internet market, analysts said.”

Full story at: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050811/tc_afp/chinainternetus


Stuff of dreams or nightmares in US net run into China, SCMP.com, August 12, 2005

“US internet companies are desperate to get into China and they are paying huge sums for a toe-hold in the market. Yesterday Yahoo! confirmed it is to pay US$1 billion for a 40 per cent stake in Hangzhou-based online auction and e-commerce company Alibaba.com.”

Full story at: http://technology.scmp.com/techinternet/ZZZLI7YX6CE.html


TOM Online earnings inch higher, SCMP.com, August 11, 2005

“TOM Online, one of China largest internet companies, on Thursday said second-quarter profit rose 0.9 percent year on year following increases in its wireless internet revenues. Hong Kong- and Nasdaq-listed TOM recorded a net profit of US$10.2 million (HK$79.56 million) in the three months to June, compared with US$10.1 million a year earlier. The company said revenue jumped to US$42.8 million from US$30.9 million.”

Full story at: http://technology.scmp.com/techbiz/ZZZDB2YX6CE.html


Editorial: Joy at the Death of a Spammer, ISP News, August 11, 2005

“While the Internet as a collective whole rejoiced in the seduction, drugging, and murder of a spammer, solutions to the spam problem involve legislation and education rather than vigilantism.”

Full story at: http://www.isp-planet.com/news/2005/spammer_editorial.html

Blog readers younger, richer than average Web surfer, InfoWorld, August 10, 2005

“Good news for Web log publishers with aspirations of making money off their sites -- compared to the average Internet user, visitors to Web logs, or blogs, tend to be younger and to belong to a wealthier household, a study has found.”

Full story at: http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/08/10/Hnblogreaders_1.html


Skype: On the Block, Businessweek, August 10, 2005

“The Web phone service has discussed a $3 billion deal with News Corp., but an IPO may be the most likely scenario. Skype, the rapidly growing Internet phone service, is on the block. The company, based in Luxembourg, has hired Morgan Stanley to help sell the service or take it public.”

Full story at: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/aug2005/tc20050810_1943_tc024.htm?campaign_id=rss_techn


Mint Takes VoIP on the go, eWeek, August 10, 2005

“Mint Telecom has developed a termination service that allows VOIP calls to be transferred to any number you choose, including a cell phone. Mint's new service consists of two different aspects: outgoing callers can dial a local access number, similar to a calling card, and have the call automatically routed to any specific number around the world. Likewise, customers, clients or friends living in another country can receive their own local number, which can route calls to the Mint number designated by the user.”

Full story at: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1846761,00.asp?kc=ETRSS02129TX1K0000532


Yahoo “closes in” on China deal, BBC News, August 10, 2005

“Yahoo is reportedly close to acquiring a major stake in China’s biggest e-commerce firm, Alibaba.com. The US internet giant is in talks to buy 35% of Alibaba for 1bn (£557m), according to several reports.”

Full story at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4138012.stm



China Mobile sees earnings soar, BBC News, August 10, 2005

“China Mobile, the world's top mobile phone firm by subscribers, has unveiled a 28% jump in half-year profits. The state-run operator saw its net profits rise to 24bn yuan ($2.97bn; £1.66bn), from 18.83bn yuan in the previous year.”

Full story at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4137180.stm


Google taps three Chinese firms for ad sales, SCMP, August 11, 2005

“Google stepped up the pace of its expansion in China, and competition with new equity-market star Baidu.com, by tapping three Chinese companies to sell keyword-based advertisements for its China site. Google named China Enterprise, China Source and Hotsales as authorised resellers for Google AdWords on Tuesday, adding China to the roster of locales, including the United States, Britain and Latin America, where it has reseller programmes.”

Full story at: http://technology.scmp.com/techinternet/ZZZ274YX6CE.html


New York law requires notification after data breaches, cNet News, August 10, 2005

“New York Governor George Pataki on Wednesday signed a bill that requires businesses and state government agencies to notify consumers if sensitive data is nabbed in a security breach. This places New York on the list of states such as California that have adopted similar rules--while many other states and the federal government considering them.”

Full story at: http://news.com.com/New+York+law+requires+notification+after+data+breaches/2110-7348_3-5827712.html?part=rss&tag=5827712&subj=news


Excite@Home’s 119 domain names up for sale, cNet News, August 10, 2005

“With name like stuff.com or firstyears.com, how can you lose? Apparently former high-speed Internet provider Excite@Home once felt likewise. But At Home Liquidating Trust, successor to the once high-flying Internet darling Excite@Home, said Wednesday it is selling the former broadband company’s 119 domain names.”

Full story at: http://news.com.com/ExciteHomes+119+domain+names+up+for+sale/2100-1030_3-5826807.html?part=rss&tag=5826807&subj=news


AOL Gives Spam Booty to Members, InternetNews, August 10, 2005

“America Online (AOL) said it would raffle some $100,000 worth of gold bars, cash and a fully loaded sport utility vehicle seized from a major spammer. The company planned the 10-day-long give-away as a reward for members who helped bring down an infamous spammer who at his peak prompted 10,000 complaints a day.”

Full story at: http://www.internetnews.com/xSP/article.php/3526706

Sender ID’s fading message, cNet News, August 9, 2005

“At the start of last year, Bill Gates told the world’s elite at an annual conference in Davos, Switzerland, that the problem of spam would be solved in 2 years. But if the Microsoft chairman was betting on Sender ID to play a major role in achieving that goal, it looks like a losing bet. The Microsoft-backed protocol to identify email senders aims to stem spam and phishing by making it harder for senders to forge their addresses and by improving filtering. So far, though, there’s been a lack of adoption by legitimate businesses. Instead, it’s been proving popular with a group it’s meant to deter-spammers.”

Full story at: http://news.com.com/Sender+IDs+fading+message/2100-7355_3-5824234.html?part=rss&tag=5824234&subj=news


One in six Americans visiting blogs, cNet News, August 9, 2005

“A new report out by a leading Internet research company has revealed that fully 30 percent of American Internet users visited blogs during the first quarter of 2005. According to the report, Behaviors of the Blogosphere, from comScore Networks, almost 50 million-or one in six-Americans spent at least some time on blogs during that time frame. That’s a 45 percent rise over the year before.”

Full story at: http://news.com.com/One+in+six+Americans+visiting+blogs/2100-1025_3-5825871.html?part=rss&tag=5825871&subj=news


Google buys IM company? CNet News, August 9, 2005

“Instant chat has long been on the list of inevitable Google applications. But it may move quickly to the top of the list. Google has reportedly agreed to buy upstart software maker Meetroduction, based in Chicago. The company’s premiere service, Meetro, lets people find one another online within a local radius of a quarter of a mile, or from across the Atlantic; and then chat instantly with those strangers or friends. Meetro’s free, downloadable software also doubles as a social-networking application, allowing people to add profiles of themselves and stake out the personal details of other conversationalists.”

Full story at: http://news.com.com/2061-10812_3-5825319.html?part=rss&tag=5825319&subj=news


Microsoft settles with ex-spammer, CNN news, August 9, 2005

“Microsoft Corp. said Tuesday that it has settled a lawsuit against Scott Richter, whom it identified as a former “spam king”.”

Full story at: http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/09/technology/microsoft_spam.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes
Microsoft settles with “Spam King” for $7 million, InfoWorld, August 9, 2005

“Microsoft has settled a lawsuit that it filed two years ago against the self-proclaimed “King of Spam”, Scott Richter, who at one time helped distribute more than 38 billion unsolicited emails per year, Microsoft said Tuesday.”

Full story at: http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/08/09/HNspamking_1.html


Google Sued Over Claims of Excess Advertising Fees, eWeek, August 9, 2005

“Google Inc. is being sued over accusations that it overcharged advertisers who use the Web search giant’s paid search advertising program, which accounts for the vast majority of Google’s revenue.”

Full story at: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1845906,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594


Google launches AdWords reseller program in China, InfoWorld, August 9, 2005

“Google has launched an authorized reseller program in China for its AdWords pay-per-click online advertising business, a move intended to broaden the number of advertisers in that country, the Mountain View, California, company announced Tuesday.”

Full story at: http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/08/09/HNgoogleadwords_1.html


Feds fund VoIP tapping research, cNet News, August 9, 2005

“The federal government is funding the development of a prototype surveillance tool by George Mason University researchers who have discovered a novel way to trace Internet phone conversations.”

Full story at: http://news.com.com/Feds+fund+VoIP+tapping+research/2100-7348_3-5825932.html?part=rss&tag=5825932&subj=news


China Mobile earnings rise 28 percent, SCMP.com, August 10, 2005

“China Mobile (Hong Kong), the Hong Kong-listed unit of China’s largest mobile network, on Wednesday said first-half net profit rose 28 percent, with nearly 20 million subscribers joining during the period.”

Full story at: http://technology.scmp.com/techmain/ZZZC5OWX6CE.html


Vector Capital Agrees To Buy Register.com, Wall Street Journal Online News, August 9, 2005

“Register.com Inc. said it has agreed to be acquired by Vector Capital, a private equity firm, in a deal worth about $200 million. Under the terms of agreement, Register stockholders will receive $7.81 in cash for each share of common stock. Register shares rose 10 cents to $7.75 in afternoon trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market.”

Full story at: http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB112359687020308673,00.html?mod=e%2Dcommerce%5Fprimary%5Fhs

MSN blogs sift through popular culture, cNet News, August 8, 2005

“Microsoft has quietly launched MSN Filter, expanding its presence in the growing sea of blogs that have washed onto the Internet. MSN Filter, features blogs that cover five categories: music, sports, TV, technology and lifestyle.”

Full story at: http://news.com.com/MSN+blogs+sift+through+popular+culture/2100-1026_3-5823349.html?part=rss&tag=5823349&subj=news


Yahoo ushers in new ad tracking system, cNet News, August 8, 2005

“Yahoo on Monday launched a new technique for tracking advertisement impressions. The system will count and report ad impressions only after the ad’s graphic loads in the viewer’s browser. Ads within blocked pop-ups, for instance, would not receive credit. Most Internet publishers currently measure their ad impressions at the other end—when they leave the server.”

Full story at: http://news.com.com/Yahoo+ushers+in+new+ad+tracking+system/2100-1024_3-5823382.html?part=rss&tag=5823382&subj=news


Yahoo in talks to buy China’s Alibaba? cNet News, August 8, 2005

“Yahoo is apparently eager to jump on the China bandwagon, and seems ready to throw $1 billion at the problem. According to a story on Forbes.com, the search giant is seriously considering a shotgun marriage to China’s largest native e-commerce company, the oh-not-so-Chinese-named Alibaba.”

Full story at: http://news.com.com/2061-10802_3-5824034.html?part=rss&tag=5824034&subj=news


Nigeria cracking down on e-scams, CNN, August 8, 2005

“In Festac Town, Nigeria, an entire community of scammers overnights on the Internet. By day they flaunt their smart clothes and cars and hang around the Internet cafes, trading stories about successful cons and near misses, and hatching new plots.”

Full story at: http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TECH/internet/08/08/nigeria.scammers.ap/index.html


Yahoo passes Google in search index capacity, cNet News, August 8, 2005

“When most people think of Web search, they think of Google. But Yahoo said Monday that it ahs completed a vast expansion of its search engine index and now encompasses almost double that of its main competitor.”

Full story at: http://news.com.com/2061-10803_3-5824161.html?part=rss&tag=5824161&subj=news


Fortinet barred from selling antivirus, cNet News, August 8, 2005

“Fortinet, a Sunnyvale, Calif-based vendor of security appliances, on Monday was ordered by the US International Trade Commission to stop selling its FortiGate products in the US because of a patent dispute with Trend Micro. The ITC order stems from an earlier ruling that antivirus software from Fortinet violates a Trend Micro patent. Trend Micro filed a lawsuit against Fortinet last year and also filed a complaint with the ITC. The patent infringement suit is still pending in US District Court for the Northern District of California. The case was stayed pending the ITC decision.”

Full story at: http://news.com.com/Fortinet+barred+from+selling+antivirus/2110-7350_3-5824209.html?part=rss&tag=5824209&subj=news


Google to Buy Meetroduction, Internet.com, August 8, 2005

“Google is expected to announce the acquisition of Meetroduction later this week, a source close to the transaction said. Chicago-based Meetroduction launched the first version of Meetro, “location-aware social networking software.” on August 4. The idea of Meetro is to find people to hang out within the physical world.”

Full story at: http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3525986


Spyware Researchers Discover ID Theft Ring, eWeek, August 8, 2005

“Spyware researchers picking apart one of the more notorious spyware programs have stumbled upon what appears to be a massive identity theft ring hijacking confidential data from millions of infected computers.”

Full story at: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1845248,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594


Huawei, Marconi: No comment on acquisition rumor, InfoWorld, August 8, 2005

“Telecommunications equipment vendors Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. And Marconi Corp. PLC declined to comment on a published report Monday that they have been in talks that could lead to an acquisition by the Chinese company.”
Full story at: http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/08/08/HNhuaweimarconi_1.html

Security download must clearly disclose adware, The Register, August 8, 2005

“Advertising.com has settled charges made by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that it failed adequately to disclose the bundling of adware with a free security download. The adware was mentioned, but only in a user licence that was east to ignore.”

Full story at: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/08/08/advertising_com_settles_adware_charges/



Yahoo Tests Search for Audio Files, Washington Post, August 5, 2005

"Yahoo Inc. yesterday introduced the test version of a service that lets people search more than 50 million music and other audio files on the Internet. Selections include podcasts, music downloads, speeches and interviews and related information such as music videos and album reviews, Sunnyvale, Calif-based Yahoo said.”

Full story at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/04/AR2005080401922.html?nav=rss_technology



Marconi, Huawei “in takeover talks”, SCMP.com, August 8, 2005

“British telecommunications equipment maker Marconi is in talks to be taken over by its Chinese partner, Huawei Technologies, for more than GBP 600 million ($8.29 billion), Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper reports.

Full story at: http://biz.scmp.com/bizmain/ZZZ3YQHRZBE.html



Asia’s online gaming a billion-dollar industry, SCMP.com, August 4, 2005

“Subscription revenues of online gaming firms in the Asia-Pacific region outside Japan rose 30 percent to more than US $1 billion (HK $7.8 billion) last year, an industry monitor said on Thursday.”

Full story at: http://technology.scmp.com/techinternet/ZZZZG4ICYBE.html


Messaging win for mobile bloggers, BBC news, August 5, 2005

“UK mobile operator O2 has backtracked from a change in the way multimedia messages are delivered via e-mail after complaints from mobile bloggers.”

Full story at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4748903.stm


MSN Feels “Virtual Earth” Move, InternetNews, August 5, 2005

“Microsoft’s Virtual Earth search beta is causing a virtual quake among Internet map users, as more cartography fans are going digital than ever before. The lauch of its satellite mapping site made MSN Maps and Directions the number one mover in week-over-week unique audience groth during the last week of July, according to Internet media and market research firm Nielsen/NetRatings.”

Full story at: http://www.internetnews.com/stats/article.php/3525666



Piggybacking on Skype, InternetNews, August 5, 2005

“A Cambridge, Mass., startup ahs introduced software to broaden the already considerable reach of Internet phone phenomenon Skype. ISkoot’s software, which is designed to appeal to frequent international callers, allows users to connect their regular cell phones to Skype’s service and buddy lists.”

Full story at: http://www.internetnews.com/infra/article.php/3525421



Internet Agency Reassigns Iraq Domain, Yahoo News, August 5, 2005

“The Internet’s key oversight agency has quietly authorized Iraq’s new government to manage its own domain name, allowing for the restoration of Internet addresses ending in “iq”. The suffix had been limbo after the 2002 federal indictment of the Texas-based company that was running it on charges of funnelling money to a member of the Islamic extremist group Hamas.”

Full story at: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/cmp/20050806/tc_cmp/167600327