| Malware writers exploring Software as a Service model
The business of writing, buying, and selling malware has become increasingly commercial over the past few years, but a new report from online security firm Finjan sheds light on just how mainstream the crimeware business has gone. Earlier this month, the company discovered a small, standalone application gathering data on over 8,700 servers, including web sites from 2,500 North American companies and a handful of sites in Alexa's top 100 ranking. Potential buyers were able to log into the malicious server hosting the data-gathering service and evaluate any given web site's size and Google Page Rank to decide whether or not the site's FTP information was worth purchasing or not. The concept of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is nothing new, but this is the first time anyone has organized the purchase of FTP login credentials, with additional tools available to help a buyer confirm he's making a smart purchase.
LeaseWeb Launches Windows Express Server
Business hosting provider LeaseWeb, in collaboration with Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), has announced a new low-cost dedicated hosting service targeted at small and midsize businesses. LeaseWeb Dedicated Windows Express Server allows customers to be online within 24 hours with a proprietary start-up server and broadband package. Dedicated hosting -- as opposed to shared -- offers companies a complete system without the threat of negative performance caused by other users. The Windows platform guarantees continuity of the solution through upgrades. LeaseWeb's network has been shown to have a realized uptime of 99.99 percent, according to a WatchMouse study in 2006. LeaseWeb is based in the Netherlands with offices throughout Europe and in New York. « Back to Critical News « Get more advice every month.
IRS Warns About New E-mail, Phone Scams
The form asks the recipient to enter personal information that the scamsters can then use to access the e-mail recipient's bank or credit card account. In a new wrinkle, the current version of the refund scam includes two paragraphs that appear to be directed toward tax-exempt organizations that distribute funds to other organizations or individuals. The e-mail contains the name and supposed signature of the Director of the IRS's Exempt Organizations business division. This e-mail is a phony. The IRS does not send unsolicited e-mail about tax account matters to individual, business, tax-exempt or other taxpayers. Filing a tax return is the only way to apply for a tax refund; there is no separate application form. Taxpayers who wish to find out if they are due a refund from their last annual tax return filing may use the "Where's My Refund?" interactive application on the IRS Web site at IRS.gov.
Barack Obama - a John Kennedy for our times
It would probably not be in its interest to secure the election of Senator John McCain. Al-Qaeda may be unpredictable, but it would be a mistake for it to interfere in American politics, even if it had the capacity to do so. At the start of the primaries, when all eyes were on Iowa and New Hampshire, Senator Clinton was the frontrunner for the Democratic Party nomination. She had the organisation, she had the money, she had the name recognition, she had the professionalism; she even had Bill Clinton, even if he is something of an unguided missile. But those days are now long ago. Senator Clinton has fallen behind Senator Obama in almost all of these factors, except for Bill Clinton's support. Senator Obama has captured the public's imagination, and gone ahead in the polls, but he also has more money, a better organisation and valuable endorsements from all sectors of the Democratic spectrum.
Liberia: President Johnson-Sirleaf Evades TRC
Victims and perpetrators have gorged out their experiences, but those who commanded the forces of rebellion and bear the greater responsibilities are yet to dignify the Commission by appearing and testifying. Although President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has reiterated her support for the TRC process, comments made by her Tuesady morning during her regular "Talk with the President's radio program, indicate that she is not prepared to submit to the TRC process and tell her people what she knows about the war and the period dating to 1979. She says she does not want to make the TRC a spectacle. The Analyst looks at the President utterances and their implications. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf gave a shortcut response to a question as to whether or not she would appear before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and tell the Liberian people and the world what she knows about the 14-year war and the events before it dating to 1979.
Pheasants Forever celebrates 25th anniversary
What's unique about Pheasants Forever is its business model. From day one, the group has empowered county chapters to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent.As a result, chapter volunteers get to see the fruits of their labor in the form of local habitat projects. .
American Dream alive and well
A funnel emerged from just above his cape, connected to a hidden pipe that protruded from his open fly. A big bloke, Bruce, from outback Western Australia, was the first to answer his call. Unfazed by the brazen man-on-man imagery the traveller poured the contents of his Budweiser pint into the funnel and guzzled his drink through the spout. The pub erupted. Both men were instant champions. Related Sections And the reality we were on night two of a Contiki tour of the US West Coast hit quicker than the beer that slapped the Sandgroper's tonsils. The American Dream is alive and well We were tracking a course from San Diego to Tijuana, Mexico, then to the deserts of Phoenix, the Grand Canyon and historic Route 66 towards Las Vegas. We got our first taste of Americana at a Hooters restaurant near the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Happy Friday: News About Economy Just Gets Worse
Friday's reports were just the latest in a string of worrisome news about the growing threat of recession and inflation. "Over the last three to four weeks, there have been a string of economic releases that were dramatically weaker than expected," said John Canavan, a market analyst at Stone and McCarthy Associates. "The implications are quite negative for the economy." The only bright spot: futures traders are now speculating that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by three-quarters of a point at its March 18 meeting instead of the half point that was expected previously. .
VeriCenter to Manage Enterprise Servers for MedAmerica, Inc.
Hosted portal application enables leading healthcare company to provide web-based physician practice management solutions for well-known physician groups across the U.S. HOUSTON (PRWEB) August 14, 2006 -- VeriCenter, Inc. and MedAmerica, Inc. today announced that VeriCenter is providing managed hosting services for MedAmerica's portal solution for physician practice management. MedAmerica is a nationally recognized medical practice support and consulting company.
"The resources required to operate and maintain IT infrastructure in the healthcare industry have grown exponentially over the past few years because of several factors, including government regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and 24x7 access information and online applications," said Nancy Burghart-Hall, CIO of MedAmerica.
To former Zale execs, Dunkin' Donuts is a gem
Tobolowsky and Billy Gutow, previously senior vice president of Zale real estate development, have made millions building and selling Blockbuster Entertainment franchise stores in the Washington, D.C., area and Palm Beach Tan salons in Las Vegas. .
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