Botnet threat grows substantially

Posted: March 2nd, 2006 by Marketscan comment-icon 0

Cyber-crime and hacking are becoming more serious and malicious activities, according to new research published this week. The 2005 Semi-Annual Web Security Trends Report, issued by Websense Security Labs, has warned of growing levels "cyberextortion" attacksThe threat posed by botnets – networks of "zombie" computers unknowingly controlled by hackers and cyber-criminals through infection with malicious programs – grew at an "alarming rate" in the second half of 2005, the study also claimed. Botnets can be used to inflict overwhelming denial-of-service… Read more »

Microsoft to stamp out spam

Posted: March 2nd, 2006 by Marketscan comment-icon 0

Office workers may soon have a new outlet for the nervous energy that leads many to tap dance continually under their desks.The Step User Interface (Step UI), unveiled by Microsoft Research at its sixth annual "Techfest" convention this week, would allow computer users to operate their machines using their feet. The technology would mean computer users could literally stamp out spam in their inboxes without using the traditional method of trawling through unwanted emails by mouse.Based on a "dance pad"… Read more »

AOL crackdown on phishing gangs

Posted: March 1st, 2006 by Marketscan comment-icon 0

AOL has started proceeding against three large internet phishing gangs in an attempt to tackle the growing scourge of online fraudulent activity.Lawsuits have been filed in Virginia against three gangs suspected of operating phishing networks and cite both state law and federal law covering trademark abuse and spamming offences.The internet company is seeking substantial damages of $18 million but at present the suits are filed against unknown persons, so AOL will need the cooperation of the Internet Service Providers (ISPs)… Read more »

OFT crackdown on internet scams

Posted: March 1st, 2006 by Marketscan comment-icon 0

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has been implementing the final stages of its Scams Awareness Month.Over the last three days, thousands of websites have been under scrutiny by 53 consumer protection agencies from 21 countries and also 20 UK Trading Standards Departments in a global crackdown on online scammers.Running through February, the scheme aimed to equip consumers with the necessary skills and knowledge to protect themselves and their finances from mass-marketed email scams.The issue of internet scammers has gained… Read more »

Royal Mail fined £11.4m

Posted: February 10th, 2006 by Marketscan comment-icon 0

Royal Mail will be fined £11.4 million for its failure to prevent lost, stolen or damaged post, according to industry regulator Postcomm.Today’s announcement follows a long running investigation by Postcomm into Royal Mail concerning the problem of lost or stolen mail.The case was given fresh impetus with a recent Channel 4 Dispatches programme that revealed widespread organised crime within the company.As a result, Postcomm today issued a statement saying that Royal Mail was guilty of "serious breaches" of it licence… Read more »

Royal Mail faces fine

Posted: February 9th, 2006 by Marketscan comment-icon 0

Royal Mail could face a hefty fine after outbreaks of crime a t a number of its sorting offices.The regulator Postcomm is in the process of finalising its action against the company for endangering what it calls "mail integrity", according to the Times.One of the main bugbears of the impending report is the recruitment process of Royal Mail and a lack of stringent enough checks particularly with the use of agency staff.Channel Four’s Dispatches programme revealed instances of large-scale organised… Read more »

ICO admits to lax action over spammers

Posted: February 9th, 2006 by Marketscan comment-icon 0

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) had admitted to taking little action to stop spammers despite the action being made illegal in the UK over two year’s ago.According to the ICO’s latest figures, there have now been 364 complaints against spammers but the organisation says it is ill equip to deal with them given a lack of powers and resources.Derek Wyatt, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Internet Group, was unsurprised over the criticism of the ICO.He told ZDNet UK: "The… Read more »

Humorous content best bet for e-marketers

Posted: February 8th, 2006 by Marketscan comment-icon 0

Humour is the way to get your message noticed when marketing over the internet, according to a new study.The research by Sharpe Partners, an interactive marketing firm, discovered that the most popular content for viral marketers to send is humorous material, with 88 per cent of people likely to forward such emails on.Kathy Sharpe, Sharpe Partners CEO, said: "Humour is clearly the golden child of viral marketing, but it is also very subjective. "That is why we recommend a viral… Read more »

Email firms may charge for first class delivery

Posted: February 8th, 2006 by Marketscan comment-icon 0

Two of the world’s largest email providers, AOL and Yahoo, have revealed plans to charge companies for a premium delivery email service.The new system would operate in much the same way as the Royal Mail service, which offers first and second-class delivery.It would mean companies would be charged to ensure that their emails reach consumers even if spam filter were turned on.Almost identical to the Royal Mail’s system of guaranteed delivery, the new method would see companies such as banks… Read more »

Royal Mail workers strike

Posted: February 7th, 2006 by Marketscan comment-icon 0

Belfast city centre has seen angry demonstrations from hundreds of Royal Mail workers as they went on strike over issues with their management.Postal deliveries in the north, south and west of the city have been disrupted with no mail being processed.The strike action was started by over 200 postal workers at the city’s Tomb Street depot and concerned accusations of bullying by the staff management.However, Ray Ellis a national Communication Workers Union (CWU) representative told the strikers that their actions… Read more »

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