 WebProWorld
Marketing Forum |
Does cold calling still work?
An article by Kevin Stirtz posted on the Better Local Marketing blog addresses the issue of cold calling, because there are underlying truths in that it works.
Daisy Duke Needs a Blogger
Today's article brings a few opportunities our way. First, there is an interesting job offer from the folks at CMT concerning a full-time position blogging about the Dukes of Hazzard! Cool stuff.
GM Talks Blogs, Podcasting and RSS
A few hours ago, Shel and I had the pleasure of an 18-minute conversation with Michael Wiley, Director New Media, GM Communications, at General Motors.
|
| Recent Articles |
Content Readability is Essential
The content of your web site should be written with readability in mind. Those who provide written content that does not reflect an understanding of internet readability research are losing an opportunity to have their message heard more often and more clearly.
Firefox Extensions Add Great Functionality
One of the great things about Firefox is the vast range of extensions you can add it to. These are little applications that you install into the browser which give you some great additional functionality.
Weird? Baskin Robbins Celebrates Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday...
Yahoo!'s 10th birthday is today. To celebrate, they're giving away... a scoop of ice cream, courtesy of Baskin Robbins. I don't know about the rest of the country, but right now in Dallas it's 45 degrees.
Feedview Makes RSS 'Purty'
Anyone who follows RSS closely has probably drooled over Apple's planned feed integration in Tiger, the next major version of Mac OS X.
Accessibility... The Basics
An accessible website is one that allows as many people as possible to access the infomation contained within it.
Web Site Content Ideas for Webmasters
Many years ago I began creating web sites that began as photo albums for friends and family and then turned into travel guides for trips I took to Jamaica , Napa Valley and the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Test Your Website Marketing Knowledge
Here are 5 questions to flex your mental muscle to. The answers and explanations are at the end - no cheating now! There are no trick questions. You cannot ask the audience but I welcome you to 'Phone a Friend' (and forward this article onto them!).
Podcasting Continues to Gather Momentum
FeedBurner today manages 1,750 podcasts via SmartCast. That is a significant increase from 750 at the end of 2004. But is anybody listening, they ask? Well, someone is. In the feeds they manage there are examples of podcasts with over 3,000 subscribers/listeners.
|
| 03.23.05
Instant Messaging – Expressway For Identity Theft, Trojan Horses, Viruses, And Worms
 By Dee Scrip
Never before with Instant Messaging (IM) has a more vital warning been needed for current and potential IM buddies who chat online.
John Sakoda of IMlogic CTO and Vice President of Products stated that,
"IM viruses and worms are growing exponentially….Virus writers are now shifting the focus of their attack to instant messaging, which is seen as a largely unprotected channel into the enterprise."
Because Instant Messaging operates on peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, it spawns an irresistible temptation for malicious computer hackers. P2P networks share files and operate on industry standard codec (encyrption codes) and industry standard protocols, which are publicly open and interpretable. Anti virus software does not incorporate protection for Instant Messaging services.
Like sharks in a feeding frenzy, these hacker mercenaries view Instant Messaging clients as their personal "Cash Cow" because of the ease by which they can access your computer via the publicly open and interpretable standards, unleash a Trojan horse, virus, or worm, as well as gather your personal and confidential information, and sell it to other depraved reprobates.
Please, don't be naïve enough to think it won't or couldn't happen to you!
Want to see how easy it is for hackers to access your Instant Messaging chat and what can happen to you as a result?
Did you know that some hacker-friendly providers offer processor chips that can be bought on the Internet? (I guess it would be pretty hard to walk into a store and ask the clerk to help them find a processor chip that could be used to illegally hack into a victim's computer for the sole purpose of spreading malicious code or stealing someone's identity!)
Did you know that hacker-friendly providers actually offer hacker software that enables these criminals to deliberately disable security on computers, access your personal and confidential information, as well as inject their Trojan horses, viruses, and worms?
Hacker manuals are also conveniently accessible via the Internet. One of these manuals shows how to DoS other sites. DoSing (Disruption of Service) involves gaining unauthorized access to the "command prompt" on your computer and using it to tie up your vital Internet services. When a hacker invades your system, they can then delete or create files and emails, modify security features, and plant viruses or time bombs onto your computer.
"Sniff" is a tool (originally intended to help telecommunication professionals detect and solve problems) that reprobate hackers use to tamper with the protocol and "sniff out" data. When hackers sniff out your IM data packet from Internet traffic, they reconstruct it to intercept conversations. This enables them to eavesdrop on conversations, gather information, and sell it to other depraved criminal entities.
Don't set yourself up to be the next Identity Theft Victim because you like to chat using Instant Messaging.
Identity theft is one of the most sinister of vulnerabilities you can inadvertently be subjected to. Identity theft is defined by the Department of Justice as
"…the wrongful obtaining and using of someone else's personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain."
Identity theft is the by-product of hacker mercenaries obtaining your social security number (including those of your spouse and children), your bank account, your credit card information, etc., from the Internet. You become a virtual "Cash Cow" for hackers as your information is then sold to other felons for financial gain. Using your information, these criminals then:
access your bank account funds
create new bank accounts with your information
create driver's licenses
create passports
Attorney General Ashcroft stated that,
"Identity theft carries a heavy price, both in the damage to individuals whose identities are stolen and the enormous cost to America's businesses."
A group hosting a website known as shadowcrew.com was indicted on conspiracy charges for stealing credit card numbers and identity documents, then selling them online. While this group allegedly trafficked $1.7 million in stolen credit card numbers, they also caused losses in excess of $4 million.
According to a Press Release issued by the Department of Justice on February 28, 2005, a hacker was convicted of several counts of fraud, one in which
"…he fraudulently possessed more than 15 computer usernames and passwords belonging to other persons for the purpose of accessing their bank and financial services accounts, opening online bank accounts in the names of those persons, and transferring funds to unauthorized accounts."
Read the Rest of the Article.
About the Author:
Dee Scrip
The above information is an excerpt taken from an in-depth and exclusive Report entitled “Why Hackers Love Computer Phones – A Shocking Report You Must Read!” by Dee Scrip available only at http://www.whypay4calls.com/ |
