Phishing targets smaller banks

Smaller regional banks and credit unions have become prime targets for phishing -- sophisticated scams that send fraudulent e-mails to consumers directing them to fake Internet sites where they are ordered to provide personal or account information -- experts told UPI's The Web. Phishing scams hit an all-time high this spring, and even members of the White House employees credit union were probed. By Gene Koprowski

http://www.washingtontimes.com/upi/20050628-062110-4562r.htm

Wireless World: The streaming babysitter

http://www.washingtontimes.com/upi/20050624-120302-5212r.htm

Bert and Ernie, those beloved "Sesame Street" characters, are now seen via video streaming on mobile phones, providing entertainment for young children while their parents drive around town doing their errands. A new report by IDC, a research firm in Framingham, Mass., indicates that streaming -- such as the video service offered by Verizon Wireless -- soon may emerge as sort of a wireless babysitter for today's on-the-go parents. The rapid development of wireless content capabilities, particularly video, is creating brand-new markets for the content and wireless industries alike.

Wireless World -- Some kinks in the system

By Gene J. Koprowski
Published June 17, 2005
CHICAGO -- What is the worst thing about working wirelessly? Experts told UPI's Wireless World that because the business culture is still developing the rules for working remotely on a WiFi-enabled PC or PDA, and because the technology itself is far from perfect, plenty of system problems are emerging. "With the advent of Blackberry devices and T-Mobile Sidekicks, people are able to make the best use of their time, increasing overall productivity," said a spokeswoman for iPass, a firm in Redwood Shores, Calif., that aggregates WiFi hotspots, dial-up and broadband connections.

http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20050617-113103-8367r

Should we renew the USA Patriot Act?

We hear that The Chicago Lawyers' Chapter of the Federalist Society is hosting a debate on the renewal of the USA PATRIOT Act on Tuesday, June 21. The panel consists of Patrick Fitzgerald, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Professor Richard Epstein of the University of Chicago Law School; and Professor Geoffrey Stone of the University of Chicago Law School. The panel will provide a diverse array of views on the Act.

One does not need to be a Federalist Society member -- or sympathizer -- to attend--people of all political persuasions are welcome.

The event is being held at the Chicago Athletic Association, 12 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Cocktails (cash bar) begin at 5:30 pm, dinner is at 6:00 pm, and the debate begins at 7:00 pm. RSVP to Christopher Rohrbacher at (312) 407-0940 or christopher_rohrbacher@yahoo.com by Monday, June 20.

Catching 'click fraud' online

By Gene J. Koprowski
UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL Published June 15, 2005

CHICAGO -- An auto repair shop owner buys some online ads and thinks he snagged a bargain by negotiating a deal with the advertising agency to pay only when Web surfers click on the banners. It sounds like a good deal, until the owner receives the bill: His $1 per click deal turns into a $1 million invoice, and he has no idea how many of the clicks came from legitimate prospects.

http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20050615-010047-2989r

Migrating software from old to new PCs

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20050613-020208-8976r.htm

Chicago, IL, Jun. 14 (UPI) -- Transferring software applications and files from old PCs to new ones is getting easier, because developers both in the United States and Europe are debuting new software and services to move content from one hard drive to another, experts told United Press International.

Cell-phone gadgets galore

By Gene J. Koprowski
Published 6/10/2005 3:32 PM
CHICAGO, June 10 (UPI) -- Only a few years ago, mobile phones began to be considered fashion accessories, but now it is mobile-phone accessories -- from wireless earpieces to multicolored carrying cases -- that have become fashionable, experts told UPI's Wireless World.

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20050610-023523-3589r

What's the appeal of free e-mail?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science&article=UPI-1-20050608-14225300-bc-web-email.xml


By GENE J. KOPROWSKI
CHICAGO, June 8 (UPI) -- America Online introduced free e-mail for the Web this week, aiming to vie with existing offerings from Microsoft's Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail and Google's Gmail, but experts told UPI's The Web the free e-mail concept's time already may have passed.

Phone plan competition hot

http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science&article=UPI-1-20050603-12001400-bc-wirelessworld-phoneplans.xml



By GENE J. KOPROWSKI
CHICAGO, June 3 (UPI) -- Monthly mobile phone plans have become more competitive than ever, as carriers offer more minutes to consumers for the same or less money, but increase their profits by selling expensive innovative features as extras, experts told UPI's Wireless World.

Attack of the computer zombies

By GENE J. KOPROWSKI
CHICAGO, June 1 (UPI) -- A computer enthusiast downloads the latest saucy Paris Hilton ad, from the Carl's Jr. chain, from the Internet and sends it to his office colleagues. Later that evening, his company finds 67 of its 92 computers have been invaded and are being controlled remotely by hackers, who have sent out a million e-mails touting Viagra, the male potency supplement.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science&article=UPI-1-20050601-07414600-bc-web-zombies.xml