AOL and IBM To Bridge IM Communities

1. AOL and IBM To Bridge IM Communities

America Online and IBM revealed that they are working together to connect their instant messaging communities.
Under the agreement, IBM Lotus Sametime users will be able to connect and communicate in real time with users of the AOL, AIM, ICQ and Apple iChat instant messaging services.

For more on this:
- read full story from messagingpipeline.com, Jan 25 2006


2. DYS Analytics Launches E-mail/IM Compliance Pak

DYS Analytics Inc. has unveiled CONTROL! Guardian, new e-mail and IM compliance software that allows IT managers to automate and enforce e-mail and IM compliance, security, data protection and enterprise reputation management by stopping noncompliant message traffic before it is sent.

For more on this:
- read full story from messagingpiepline.com, Jan 26 2006


3. Anti-spyware project helps users

Hi-tech firms are setting up a project to help users spot if downloads are infested with spyware and adware.
Funded by Google and Sun the Stop Badware project will expose the hidden extras that popular software, such as file-sharing programs, often has inside it.

For more on this:
- read full story from BBC News, Jan 26 2006


4. Internet brain trust aims to shame spyware makers

Internet researchers at Harvard and Oxford universities said on Tuesday they are seeking to enlist Web users in a program to name and shame suppliers of spyware and other malicious software programs.

For more on this:
- read full story from reuters.com, Jan 25 2006


5. Feds arrest alleged Internet ID thief

A California man who allegedly duped America Online customers into disclosing their credit card information over the Web was arrested on wire fraud and other charges Thursday.

For more on this:
- read full story from CNET News.com, Jan 26 2006

6. Verizon and AT&T boosted by wireless, broadband

U.S. telephone providers Verizon Communications and AT&T Inc. on Thursday posted strong fourth-quarter financial results, boosted by wireless and high-speed Internet growth that helped offset declines in their traditional local telephone business.

For more on this:
- read full story from Yahoo! News, Jan 26 2006


7. Infospace says Yahoo! agreement extended

Infospace Inc. on Thursday said it extended an existing deal with Yahoo Inc.
to deliver search results and text-based advertising to its network of affiliates.

For more on this:
- read full story from Yahoo! News, Jan 26 2006


8. Cingular applies to patent smileys :@

The United States' largest mobile phone network Cingular this week applied to patent on emoticons, better known as smileys. The application refers to selecting emoticons on mobile phones or handheld devices over a wireless, and makes 35 claims in all. Although it uses the word 'emoticon', the application doesn't acknowledge that mutant punctuation has been livening up online communications since at least 1961.

For more on this:
- read full story from theregister.co.uk, Jan 27 2006

Bill Gates' Spam Prediction Misses Target

1. Bill Gates' Spam Prediction Misses Target

Two years ago Tuesday, Bill Gates predicted that spam would be a "solved" problem by now, a prognostication that, say most e-mail experts, was as off-base as most of Nostradamus' forecasts.

For more on this:
- read full story from messagingpipeline.com, Jan 24 2006


2. MySpace looks to UK music scene

A UK version of the social networking site MySpace.com is to be launched "within the next 30 days". The announcement was made by Fox Interactive Media president Ross Levinson at a meeting of the National Association of Television Programme Executives in Las Vegas.

For more on this:
- read full story from BBC News, Jan 24 2006


3. Skype battles to stay ahead

Mention the idea of making phone calls over the internet and one word is bound to come up. That is Skype, the name of the company that pushed the idea into the public consciousness. It has grown at break-neck speed since it was launched in April 2003.

For more on this:
- read full story from BBC News, Jan 24 2006


4. Skype For Business

Four veterans of the old telecom and computer worlds are stepping into Internet-based communications, with an eye to replacing some of the businesses they helped build.

For more on this:
- read full story from forbes.com, Jan 24 2006


5. IPTV and VoD: the great content adventure

Industry comment "The problem is that they want the world, but they don’t want to pay for it", said the BBC executive sitting opposite me, sipping on his cappuccino. "They are all knocking on our door wanting all our content for free, and it’s so difficult when they don’t understand the costs involved and how this industry operates."

For more on this:
- read full story from theregister.co.uk, Jan 23 2006

6. Yahoo! phishing warning

Websense is warning internet users of a new phishing scam targeting Yahoo! users. Users get a message via Yahoo!'s instant messenger asking them to "click on this website". Following the link takes you to what appears to be Yahoo!'s photo service.

For more on this:
- read full story from theregister.co.uk, Jan 24 2006


7. Internet brain trust aims to shame spyware makers

Internet researchers at Harvard and Oxford universities said on Tuesday they are seeking to enlist Web users in a program to name and shame suppliers of spyware and other malicious software programs.

For more on this:
- read full story from Yahoo! News, Jan 25 2006


8. NTP set to push on with RIM patent battle

TORONTO (Reuters) - Patent holding company NTP Inc. will trudge on with a legal battle against Research in Motion, but is open to the BlackBerry maker coming up with a deal to settle a patent dispute that risks shutting down the popular portable email service in the United States.

For more on this:
- read full story from reuters.com, Jan 24 2006


9. Version of Google in China Won't Offer E-Mail or Blogs

Google is bringing a special version of its powerful search engine to China, leaving behind two of its most popular features in the United States. In an effort to cope with China's increasingly pervasive Internet controls, Google said Tuesday that it would introduce a search engine here this week that excludes e-mail messaging and the ability to create blogs.

For more on this:
- read full story from the new york times, Jan 25 2006

Build a better spam trap and ... spam multiplies

1. Build a better spam trap and ... spam multiplies

Watch what you say at Davos. During a late-night session of the World Economic Forum in 2004, Bill Gates said the Internet spam problem would be solved within two years.

For more on this:
- read full story from iht.com, Jan 24 2006


2. IBM Sametime To Talk To AOL, Yahoo, Google IM

IBM Software's new Sametime instant messaging will connect to the hugely popular consumer IM networks from America Online, Yahoo and Google, IBM execs said Monday.

For more on this:
- read full story from messagingpipeline.com, Jan 23 2006


3. IBM Turns Over Search Project To Open Source Community

IBM said Monday that it will begin turning over key intellectual property from its UIMA (Unstructured Information Management Architecture) project to the open source community in an effort to spur the growth of the collaborative enterprise search technology.

For more on this:
- read full story from messagingpipeline.com, Jan 23 2006


4. Tello Launches First Service

Operating under the radar for more than one year, Tello Corp. officially launched today and announced the availability of an instant communication and collaboration service for businesses.

For more on this:
- read full story from messagingpipeline.com, Jan 23 2006


5. Livedoor chief Horie steps down

Takafumi Horie has stepped down as president of Japanese internet firm Livedoor, after being arrested amid claims of misleading shareholders.
Livedoor executive Kozo Hiramatsu replaces Mr Horie, who was arrested on Monday with three other executives.

For more on this:
- read full story from BBC News, Jan 24 2006

6. IronPort to rate Web links in spam fight

As spam evolves, so do spam filters. IronPort Systems is now rating Web links in e-mail to better filter out junk messages, including those with links to malicious sites.

For more on this:
- read full story from CNET News.com, Jan 23 2006


7. Clearwell E-Mail Platform Eases Compliance

Clearwell Systems is introducing its Email Intelligence Platform on Jan. 23, providing corporate e-mail systems with an e-mail analysis layer that rests on top of e-mail storage and is capable of tying into files, e-mail archive software and file servers to positively identify violations of regulatory or corporate policies.

For more on this:
- read full story from eweek.com, Jan 23 2006


8. Broadcom's $80M 'Perfect Storm'

Broadcom's purchase of Ethernet switch maker Sandburst for $80 million is "sort of a 'perfect storm' of technology and markets coming together" said Martin Lund, vice president and general manager of the networking switching business unit at Broadcom.

For more on this:
- read full story from internetnews.com, Jan 23 2006


9. Online Phone Data Brokers Stonewall FCC

Agency orders brokers to provide information about source of phone data they are selling over Internet. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) cited Friday two online data brokers dealing in private telephone records for failing to comply with FCC subpoenas seeking documents and information.

For more on this:
- read full story from internetnews.com, Jan 23 2006


10. Banks Are Urged to Help Fight Online Fraud

Banks need to help consumers protect themselves against online fraud, Britain's Financial Services Authority said Monday as it unveiled research showing that consumer confidence in Internet banking is fragile.

For more on this:
- read full story from Yahoo! News, Jan 23 2006

Security Patch Watch: Skype, Cisco, FreeBSD

1. Security Patch Watch: Skype, Cisco, FreeBSD

A new version of the popular Skype VOIP application has been released to correct a bug that caused Skype to be misread as a potential security threat.

For more on this:
- read full story from Yahoo! News, Jan 20 2006


2. How Japan's Internet king lost his crown

It began with a tip-off to the media that the offices of one of Japan's top Internet entrepreneurs was going to be raided. Soon dozens of reporters were camped outside, a whiff of scandal in the air.

For more on this:
- read full story from Yahoo! News, Jan 22 2006


3. Livedoor chief denies wrongdoing

The head of scandal-hit Japanese internet firm Livedoor has denied allegations that he broke market rules.
"I'm innocent of the allegations," Livedoor president Takafumi Horie said on his personal website.

For more on this:
- read full story from BBC News, Jan 22 2006


4. MS, AOL and Yahoo! caved to Feds' fishing expedition

The US Justice Department confirmed yesterday that Microsoft, Yahoo! and AOL have already complied with its request to hand over the details of queries submitted to the search engine - a fact that was disclosed in court documents this week. The DoJ wants the information, not for a criminal prosecution, but as background materia to bolster its attempt to revive a Clinton-era anti-pornography law.

For more on this:
- read full story from theregister.co.uk, Jan 21 2006


5. Bush Talks Broadband

President Bush made one of his rare public comments on broadband Thursday, promising that the United States will "do better" in increasing broadband penetration rates.

For more on this:
- read full story from internet.com, Jan 20 2006


6. IBM Embraces Apple

IBM is ready to plant a big wet kiss on Apple Computer.
At Lotusphere next week, the IBM Software Group is poised to announce updated Mac OS X support in the latest Notes client. In addition, the company will pledge big-time support for the new Intel-based Macs due later this year, sources said.

For more on this:
- read full story from messagingpipeline.com, Jan 20 2006


7. Banks 'must tackle online fraud'

Banks must do more to promote security among their online customers, the UK's finance watchdog has said.
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) made the call as it revealed half of internet users are either extremely or very concerned about the risk of fraud.

For more on this:
- read full story from BBC News, Jan 23 2006


8. Skype Does Video

The big news with this new version of Skype's software is video: Version 2 of Skype's software allows you to make video as well as voice calls over the Internet. Skype isn't the first to offer this capability, though: Programs like Yahoo Messenger and ICQ have been offering video chat for some time.

For more on this:
- read full story from Yahoo! News, Jan 23 2006