E-mail fraud using Kerry’s campaign as a front: In what appears to be a first, fraudsters are trying to steal debit card numbers by circulating e-mail disguised as a request for donations to John Kerry’s presidential campaign.
An actual message the Kerry campaign had sent earlier was modified so links to donate go instead to a Web site believed to be in Asia, said Andrew Klein, anti-fraud product manager for MailFrontier Inc., a vendor of anti-spam software.
Scammers have commonly disguised their messages to look as if they come from banks, e-commerce sites or Internet service providers, often lifting text and logos from legitimate messages. The idea is to trick recipients into submitting account numbers, passwords and other details to sites run by fraudsters.
Klein said he believes this was the first of the so-called phishing scams to mimic a campaign message, “and I expect we’ll see more of them.”
Guess who’s getting into the blogging game?: There’s been plenty of talk about how blogging has gone mainstream, but here is perhaps the ultimate sign: Microsoft Corp. is getting into the game.
The software giant is launching in Japan a test version of a free blogging service in conjunction with the Japanese company, T.O.S. Co. Ltd. The service lets users update their personal Web diaries from a computer or mobile phone.
Microsoft is mum on when similar offerings may be available in the United States, saying only that the Japanese test site will help the company plan future, broader services.
“We’re investing in rich communications,” said Brian Arbogast, a corporate vice president in Microsoft’s MSN online division. “You’ll certainly see more from us.”
Net needs conflict with service: Military service is mandatory in Finland, unless you can prove that the Internet makes you unfit.
Net dependence has allowed some conscripts in this country’s armed services shorten their tours, said Cmdr. Capt. Jyrki Kivela, who heads the Finnish Defense Force’s recruiting efforts.
Kivela couldn’t provide exact figures but noted that slightly more than 9 percent of conscripts are allowed to forgo the compulsory service because of medical conditions.
He said he’s heard other countries where service is mandatory have experienced similar problems, but he didn’t name them: “Maybe we’re the first to say that we have this kind of problem.”
Linux wants in on Apple’s game: Linux users frustrated that they can’t partake of Apple Computer Inc.’s iTunes software and music store or the iPod music player may soon get some relief.
A program under development by CodeWeavers Inc., which specializes in software that allows Linux computers to run Windows programs, is to include support for all three – something currently available only to users of Windows-based and Macintosh computers.
“ITunes has been our number one, most requested application,” said Jeremy White, chief executive of CodeWeavers. The support will come in the next release of the company’s CrossOver Office.
Apple spokeswoman Liz Einbinder declined to comment.
But the company has not taken kindly to attempts by other companies to adopt its technology without permission.
Last month, Apple threatened to sue after RealNetworks Inc. announced it had created a technology to permit iPod users to play music purchased from Real’s online music store.
Associated Press
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