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Sarah Falson

Flirting Virus Getting Romantic In Chat-rooms

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Watch out next time you’re flirting in online dating sites and chat-rooms – you could be chatting up a virus called CyberLover which conducts fully-automated, suggestive conversations with users, luring them to malicious websites or convincing them to share their identity.

Developed in Russia, the virus can establish a new relationship with up to 10 partners in just 30 minutes and its victims cannot distinguish it from a human being. According to IT researchers PC Tools who are bringing CyberLover public, the program’s ability to mimic human behaviour during online interactions is uncanny.

According to PC Tools, CyberLover indicates a new breed of software that can easily be used for malicious purposes, indicating a dangerous new trend in malware evolution.

“As a tool that can be used by hackers to conduct identity fraud, CyberLover demonstrates an unprecedented level of social engineering,” says PC Tools senior malware analyst, Sergei Shevchenko.

“It employs highly intelligent and customised dialogue to target users of social networking systems.”

Shevchenko says internet users today are generally aware of the dangers of opening suspicious attachments and visiting unusual URLs, but CyberLover employs a new technique that is unheard of.

 

“That’s what makes it particularly dangerous,” he said.

“CyberLover has been designed as a bot [robot] that lures victims automatically, without human intervention. If it’s spawned in multiple instances on multiple servers, the number of potential victims could be very substantial.”

The CyberLover software offers a variety of profiles ranging from “romantic lover” to “sexual predator”, and uses a series of easily configurable “dialogue scenarios” with preprogrammed questions and discussion topics. It can also recognise the responses of chat-room users to tailor its interaction accordingly, and compiles a detailed report on every person it meets and submits them to a remote source – the reports contain confidential information that the victim has shared with the bot, which can include the victim’s name, contact details and personal photo(s).

The bot can invites victims to visit a “personal” website or blog which could in fact be a fake page used to automatically infect visitors with malware.

Optus Cable Reaching 20Mbps

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Optus cable customers on the MyHome Broadband Cable and Optus ‘yes’ Fusion Cable plans will receive a speed upgrade to 20Mbps.

Available only to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane residents, the service will make browsing, streaming music and video and using email that much quicker.


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“This upgrade means that even customers in Brisbane on the Optus Cable network will now be able to access faster speeds than what has previously been available,” said Optus group marketing director, Michael Smith.

“Optus now offers the same speeds on both its Cable and DSL Direct service making broadband a simpler and faster internet option for customers.”

Customers will receive the upgrade free-of-charge and new and existing users will receive the faster speeds automatically.

Wow Director Flags TVs, Laptops & Nav For Xmas

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Wow Sight & Sound director Con Nicolas says if the highest-selling products of 2007 are anything to go by, flat-screen TVs, laptops and handheld navigation will be the hot gift items for Christmas and into the 2008 sales season.

Nicolas says his electronics chain, based in Queensland, has been “flooded” with requests for these electronic products, in addition to games consolers, digital cameras and MP3 players.

“Everything from flat screen televisions to digital cameras will be highly sought after as electronics and entertainment equipment becomes an increasingly affordable Christmas gift option,” he said.

“Many of our suppliers are also fuelling demand by offering exclusive gifts to accompany Christmas purchases such as $25 fuel vouchers on selected navigation systems, LCD or surround sound with selected LCD panels and up to $149 cash back on selected laptops and desktops.”

Wow Sight & Sound says the following products will be hot property over the coming weeks:

1. Flat panel screens
Ranging in price from $299 to $5,999, flat panel televisions will boost Christmas sales figures significantly, says Nicolas. Some of the most popular brands include LG, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Sharp, Acer and Vue.

 

2. Handheld navigation devices
With the price of handheld navigation devices continuing to fall they are fast becoming one of the most popular electronics gifts available. Ranging in price from $196 to $799, Garmin, Navman, TomTom and Navtrack handheld navigation devices will be sales winners this Christmas, says Wow.
 
3. Games consoles
Sony PS3, Nintendo Wii and XBOX game consoles are toys suitable for all ages and, therefore, a guaranteed top seller this Christmas. Starting from $348, game consoles are an affordable gift option for the kids, both big and small, said the company.

4. Digital cameras
Both hard drive camcorders and digital still cameras are always a popular choice at Christmas. Nicolas says that with Wow’s digital cameras ranging in price from $98 to $1499, there is a product to suit every application and budget.

5. Mp3 players, iPods and iPod docking stations
It’s no surprise MP3 players and iPods top the most popular Christmas gift list but a new addition to the category is the iPod docking stations, says Wow. Starting from $95, these products are available from iPod, Samsung, iRiver and Nashi. 

6. Laptops
While personal computers are a necessity in today’s internet age, many consumers are opting for the flexibility and affordability that comes with laptops which start from as little as $595. Toshiba, HP, Asus, Acer and Compaq are among the more popular brands sold at Wow Sight & Sound.

 

According to Nicolas, the retailer has developed a system that works.

“We have a proven system in place for handling the Christmas rush,” he said.

“The first step is to plan ahead; use proper planning techniques like sell through data and forecasting to predict the top selling products for the season, get your orders in early and maintain a good relationship with your suppliers so you will get your fair share of stock before it sells out.

“At store level, make sure your merchandising reflects your marketing. If you advertise a particular product at a special rate, make sure there is plenty of stock on the shelf or you’ll lose valuable sales time and time again.

“And finally, with so many customers in store you’ll need more staff to cater for the additional trade. Employ extra staff early and extend your trading hours to make for a smooth and successful Christmas retailing season.”

New Dell Vostro Business Notebook

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Dell has launched a new business notebook called the Vostro 1200 which is designed to meet the mobility needs of small and medium businesses.

With a 12-inch screen and weighing 1.9kg, the Vostro 1200 ($1,199) is the lightest model in Dell’s Vostro range.

The Vostro 1200 still packs Intel Core2 Duo processors, internal optical drive, integrated 2MP camera, fingerprint reader and WiFi connectivity.

Vostro products are developed in direct response to customer feedback, says Dell, offering simple-to-use tools that address top-of-mind problems such as data back-up, PC performance and health, plus specialised networking support for customers without dedicated IT staff.

“Vostro changes the game for small business owners by letting them to choose the exact IT solutions they need to be successful,” said Dell marketing director, Robert Vinokurov.

“This new notebook offers mainstream performance in a form factor that will appeal to business travellers for whom size and weight are key decision-making criteria.”

Quickflix Out Of The Rough

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Local online DVD rental company, Quickflix, has recorded a boost in subscriber numbers despite tough competition in the market against bargain-priced sale DVDs and rising movie download numbers.

The total number of subscribers increased 102 per cent to 23,720 at December, compared to the same period in 2006, with 3,428 of these signing up in during the pre-Christmas spending period in December.

Of the subscribers, 3,717 are members on a trial basis, with the opportunity to become paying members.

In July last year, Quickflix signed a marketing deal with the country’s largest electronics retailer, Harvey Norman, which saw customers who spend over $75 in-store receive a $50 Quickflix voucher.

The deal included Quickflix posters and electronic advertisements in stores and online, encouraging customers to rent DVDs rather than download them.

“Harvey Norman is one of Australia’s leading retailers of home entertainment products. Our promotion with Harvey Norman gives us another opportunity to introduce Quickflix to a segment of Australian retail customers who have a specific interest in the home entertainment area,” said Quickflix CEO, Stephen Langford, in July.

“By redeeming the promotional voucher at the Quickflix website www.quickflix.com.au and  following our simple sign-up process, Harvey Norman customers will have access to over 26,000 movie, documentary and TV series DVD titles available to rent or purchase.”

Mr Langsford said much of Quickflix’s success was due to highly targeted marketing activity partnering with leading brand names, including Woolworths supermarkets.

Test Your Memory With Lexar and CES

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Lexar will this year roll-out a whole range of memory products for digital media, following the company’s showcase at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

According to the company, the new range was developed in response to new market segments including the demand for higher capacities, smaller form factors, and innovative lifestyle features in memory products.

Lexar is showcasing the range called ‘If It’s Important to You, It’s Safe With Us’, which includes new Crucial-branded solid-state drives (SSDs), Lexar memory cards, and new Kodak-branded flash memory products.

Lexar Media vice president, Mark Adams, said: “Over the last year, Lexar Media has undergone a major evolutionary growth, leveraging our core strength as a developer of high-quality, reliable flash memory products to emerge as brand partner to some of the world’s most respected and well-known product marketers.”

“Through the expansion of our Crucial product offerings to the Solid-State Drive category, our brand relationships with companies like Kodak and Disney, and the continued expansion of our Lexar product line, we are penetrating new and growing markets with a variety of the world’s most advanced, feature-driven memory products and technologies.”

The common thread at the CES is the company’s longtime reputation for reliability, quality, and security in data storage, according to lexar.

Including SSD products for data-sensitive professionals and a wide range of consumer and enterprise-class USB flash drives and mobile memory cards, the range focuses on advanced memory solutions that offer key lifestyle benefits and provide users with confidence and peace of mind, says the company.

Woolies Reaches Top-25 Retailers Globally

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Australian supermarket chain, Woolworths, has hit a milestone by becoming the first Australian retailer to enter the top-25 worldwide retailers according to a poll.

The chain, which owns Dick Smith, Dick Smith Powerhouse and Tandy electronic retailers, jumped four places to 25th, beating rival supermarket chain Coles Group which came in at 31st.

The Deloitte 2008 Global Powers of Retailing report identified the top 250 retailers worldwide in terms of revenue for the period from 2006-07.

According to Deloitte Australia consumer business leader, Andrew Griffiths, both Woolworths and Coles were performing exceptionally well considering the small size of the Australia market.

“Both [retailers] have been iconic brands for many decades, having diversified with their retail offer from supermarkets to liquor, general merchandise and petrol,” he told The Australian newspaper.

American retail group WalMart kept the number one spot, with French Carrefour Group coming second followed by US-based The Home Depot.

While Australia’s largest electrical retailer, Harvey Norman, didn’t place, local Wesfarmers-owned home improvement retailer Bunnings took 176th place.

Thirty-seven of the 250 highest-grossing retailers were electrical specialty retailers.

Sharp Masters DLP With Conference Projector

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A new DLP projector from Sharp which was designed specifically for the conference room is now available for RRP $8,499, offering ultra-bright, high resolution and reaching 500 inches for large room displays.

Created for large venues for both business and education, the Sharp XG-PH70X offers 5,200 ANSI lumens of brightness with a long-life panel and a 1.2-powered zoom and focus.


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Users can connect to the web with built-in web browser control, which also allows users to command the unit remotely.

Further network control options are available by downloading and installing Sharp Display Manager onto the main computer from the Sharp Global website.

Clever Comms Performs Backflip Amid Losses

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Clever Communications has generated positive operating cash flow for the first time in months following net losses two years running to the tune of almost $900,000.

The Melbourne-based Internet Service Provider (ISP) today reported an operating cash flow of $185,000 for the fiscal 2007 fourth quarter, even though the net operating cash flow for the half year ending 31 December 2007 was minus $438,000.

Following Clever Communications chairman, David Williams, announcing at the company’s annual general meeting in November 2007 that the company “has not lived up to its potential” and that “shareholder value has been eroded”, Clever has now taken a range of precautions to ensure it stays on deck financially.

After one-off costs relating to a business restructure including an expensive re-branding exercise that saw the company merge its fully-owned subsidiaries – Access Providers, Saise Telecom and Activ Australia – and change its name to Clever Communications Australia, the company is now looking positively to the future to regain lost money, according to Williams.

“The restructure of the business has been completed and has resulted in a reduction in headcount’ a reduction in the operating cost base of the business and the addition of experienced senior management,” said Williams in the notice.

Williams also said an “aggressive” sales and marketing program had been developed and implemented over the quarter-period to drive increased sales, while a focused program to penetrate the wholesale channel has also been launches and has been “received positively”.

“We continue to work closely with our key suppliers to improve pricing and terms and to assess opportunities to enter into commercial arrangements to enhance our service and product offerings to the marketplace, and to improve margins,” said Williams.