A new worm, a type of internet based computer virus, is spreading on the American Online Instant Messaging platform, AIM. The new worm installs a “rootkit”, a file which is designed to hide the worm from your computers security software. The worm spreads itself as a clickable link going out to everyone on the “Buddy List” of an infected computer, so before clicking on a link from one of your buddies, make sure it was sent intentionally.
The advice to users is to be careful when clicking on links in IM messages–even when they seem to come from friends–and to use up-to-date antivirus software. When receiving a link in an instant message, the best practice is to verify with the sender if the link was sent intentionally or not.
AIM worm plays nasty new trick | Tech News on ZDNet
There are lots of safety tips for parents on Halloween - trick or treat with your kids instead of letting them go alone, find safety in numbers, avoid strange houses, us makeup instead of masks. Check Halloween-Safety.com for lots of safety tips.
But even for those without kids Please remember to drive carefully Halloween night.
For drivers, Palermo said, it’s important to remember that kids are so often full of sugar and excited about the holiday that they forget where they are and may dart into the road.
“Drivers need to be more aware and really just slow down,” he said. “Essentially, you can’t count on the children to keep themselves safe. They’re not going to be paying as close attention as they should, and that puts more of a responsibility on those who are driving.”
Norwich Bulletin - www.norwichbulletin.com - Norwich, Conn.
In “detection mode” Creative WebCam Live! Motion senses motion and pans to record whatever is happening. Team it up with software to upload the images to an internet site (since the thieves are likely to make off with your computer) and you have a decent cheap security camera setup.
Webcams that track your face aren’t new - Logitech’s QuickCam Sphere has been following our handsome mugs for an age. The way this motorised Creative one physically pans and scans, however, certainly is. And it looks damn cool in action.
Source: Stuff Magazine - Hot Stuff
Concerned about customer privacy and security, as well as the cost to banks of fraud, credit card issuers are offering single use “virtual credit card” numbers for online, telephone and mail order shopping. The numbers are computer generated, used one time and then discarded. Only the customer and the issuer know the real underlying number.
Although the system slightly differs on each card, the principle is the same: For no extra charge, consumers sign up at the credit card’s Web site, often downloading software on their computers.
Then, when they’re ready to shop, they receive a randomly generated substitute 16-digit number that they can use at the online store. The number can be used once or, in some cases, repeatedly at the same store.
The Cincinnati Post - The virtual card
The Consumer Product Safety Commission today issued two recalls:
1) Delta Cycle Corp.: Picasso Two-Bike Folding
Racks
2) Hellenic Rug Imports Inc.: Shag Leather Rugs
Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission
More information available by reading more…
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Following are the complete list of Class I food and drug recalls from the FDA from October 1 to October 24.
Hirzel Canning Company Recalls Prima Qualita Meatless Spaghetti Sauce Due to Undeclared Cheese (October 21, 2005)
Corrected Release: Home Made Brand Foods Inc. Issued Allergy Alert on Listeria in Classic Tuna Salad (October 21, 2005)
Public Health Notification: Boston Scientific ENTERYX Procedure Kits and Injector Single Packs (October 14, 2005)
Baroody Imports Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Baroody Dried Apricots (October 14, 2005)
Home Made Brand Foods Inc. Issued Allergy Alert on Listeria in Classic Tuna Salad (October 14, 2005)
Fortuna Sea Products, Inc. Recalls Frozen Cooked Clam Meat Because of Possible Health Risk (October 7, 2005)
Aurora Products, Inc Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Little Michael Dried Apricots (October 7, 2005)
Orca Bay Foods, Inc. Recalls Red King Crab Legs and Claws Due to Possible Health Risk (October 7, 2005)
BioMerieux Issues Worldwide Correction Recall of VeriCal® Calibrator Set (October 6, 2005)
Drug Labeling Safety Information — Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride) (October 5, 2005)
Henretty’s Prime Meats Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Eggs in Crab Cakes (October 5, 2005)
The White Lily Foods Company Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat Flour in Three Rivers Self-Rising Cornmeal (October 3, 2005)
FDA Issues Nationwide Health Alert on Dole Pre-Packaged Salads (October 2, 2005)
Full information on these and other FDA recalls can be found at the FDA website.
November is the top month for deer-auto collisions, so it’s time to start watching more carefully as you drive. Deer are not just a danger to property; deer related collisions result in injury and sometimes even death.
The state patrol reported Tuesday that an Ironton man died just east of Brainerd on Highway 210 after a deer crashed through the windshield of his pickup. The 28-year-old was dead at the scene.
This is the worse-case scenario of what continues to be a growing problem. Deer/car collisions rise annually. Unfortunately, so have the number of deaths that result.
In 2004, eight people died from injuries sustained in a deer/car crash. The collisions resulted in 489 personal injuries as well, according to the Department of Public Safety.
Sources: St. Cloud Times |
Roadkill alert sounded
Flu season is just starting and now through November is the recommended time to get vaccinated. There is no flu vaccine shortage this year and the vaccine is available in the new FluMist nasal spray vaccine as well as the older shot. Neither form of this years vaccine is effective against the H5N1 virus that causes the avian or bird flu, but even the current strains of flu can cause serious illness or even death. With plenty of vaccine available, there’s no need to limit vaccination to “high risk” individuals.
On average five to 20 percent of the population in the United States gets the flu each year. More than 200,000 people require hospitalization, and 36,000 people die from the disease every year.
Source: MyMotherLode.com - Local News - Serving Tuolumne, Calaveras and Amador Counties
“Slippery” predators wait online to gain your children’s trust.
Disturbed and determined, cold and calculating, online sexual predators have recently made their mark in Richmond. Just look to the case of 17-year-old Monica Sharp, who’s been missing from her Museum District home since Sept. 18. Richmond Police believe she may be in the company of Jeffrey Nicols, a 57-year-old Illinois man she met on the Internet. As of this week, police still have no updates in the case.
Police and other officials offer a few tips to help you protect your kids:
- Tell your kids never to give out any personal information. Even a little personal information can be enough for someone to physically find you online.
- Keep the computer in a living room, not the kids bedroom. There’s no deterrent like knowing the “rents” are looking over the shoulder.
Source: Richmond.com - Feature Story: ‘Caught in the Net ‘ for
The US State Department has issued a public announcement for travelers heading to Peru, based on a threat by coca growers to strike. Similar strikes in the past have led to problems for foreigners in the area.
Coca growers in Cuzco have called for a “series of actions” from October 18 through about October 20, 2005. Previous calls for strikes by cocaleros in Cuzco have resulted in widespread disruption of ground transportation and closure of the airport. On one recent occasion a group of foreign tourists was involuntarily held captive for several hours by strikers.
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