iWay-Safety.com: eShopping/eCommerce News & Views

Mozilla Releases eBay Add-On for Firefox

Sat, 05 May 2007 01:03:38 GMT

Mozilla Releases eBay Add-On for Firefox (PC World). PC World - Mozilla Corp. is asking users to test a new add-on for the Firefox browser that lets users monitor their deals on eBay Inc.'s auction site in real time.

eBay redesigned Business Marketplace portal

Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:35:28 GMT

eBay originally launched their Business Marketplace portal in January 2003, but now the site has a new look.

Study: Shoppers naive about retail prices online

Wed, 22 Jun 2005 21:22:02 GMT

The study, "Open to Exploitation," found nearly two-thirds of adult Internet users believed incorrectly it was illegal to charge different people different prices, a practice retailers call "price customization." More than two-thirds of people surveyed also said they believed online travel sites are required by law to offer the lowest airline prices possible. ... The Internet empowers careful shoppers to conveniently compare prices and features across thousands of stores. But it also enables businesses to quietly collect detailed records about a customer's behavior and preferences and set prices accordingly. Changing prices is generally lawful unless doing so discriminates against a consumer's race or gender or violates antitrust or price-fixing laws.

Amazon.com knows, predicts shopping habits

Tue, 19 Apr 2005 15:15:35 GMT

Amazon.com knows things about you that you may not know yourself. Though plenty of companies have detailed systems for tracking customer habits, critics and boosters alike say Amazon is the trailblazer, having collected information longer and used it more proactively. It even received a patent recently on technology aimed at tracking information about the people for whom its customers buy gifts.

Some privacy advocates believe Amazon is getting dangerously close to becoming Big Brother with your credit card number. "They are constantly finding new ways to exploit personal information," said Chris Hoofnagle of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, an Amazon nemesis since 2000 after the company changed its privacy policy to allow sharing of personal information with companies it buys or partners with. More recently, the Seattle-based virtual retailer has launched a Web search engine, called A9, that can remember everything you've ever searched for — and the site reserves the right to share that information with its retailing arm. Amazon also funds a Web site called 43 Things. It seeks to link people with similar goals, such as getting out of debt.

SANS "Ouch" Newsletter ( Vol. 2 Num. 3) Excerpts

Thu, 10 Mar 2005 20:25:26 GMT

What To Avoid This Month

I. Email from people trying to get you to divulge private details
These are often trying to steal your identity (and your money)
I.1 Washington Mutual Bank - 'Unauthorized Access to Your Washington Mutual Account'
I.2 SouthTrust Bank - 'Notification From SouthTrust Online Banking'
I.3 Huntington Bank - 'Huntington Bank Security Update Notification'
I.4 Paypal - 'Unauthorized Access...'
I.5 MSN - 'Microsoft Network customer data verification'
I.6 KeyBank - 'SECURE YOUR ACCOUNT NOW'
I.7 Google - Email Lottery International

Details About Things To Avoid

I. Email from people trying to steal your identity (and your money)
I.1 Washington Mutual Bank - 'Unauthorized Access To Your Washington Mutual Account'
The Bait: An email sent to you for Unauthorized Access to your account.
What it tries to make you do: Click on the link within the email.
Where you can see how it actually appears:
http://www.antiphishing.org/phishing_archive/02-24-05_Wamu/02-24-05_Wamu.html

I.2 SouthTrust Bank - 'Notification From SouthTrust Online Banking'
The Bait: Email stating that your account may have been accessed by someone else.
What it tries to make you do: Click on the suspect link.
Where you can see how it actually appears:
http://www.antiphishing.org/phishing_archive/02-22-05_SouthTrust/02-22-05_SouthTrust.html

I.3 Huntington Bank - 'Huntington Bank Security Update Notification'
The Bait: New payment security for the bank.
What it tries to make you do: click on the link within the email.
Where you can see how it actually appears:
http://www.antiphishing.org/phishing_archive/02-18-05_Huntington/02-18-05_Huntington.html

I.4 Paypal - 'Unauthorized Access...'
The Bait: An email that alerts you to unauthorized access to your PayPal account.
What it tries to make you do: Click on the link it provides
Where you can see how it actually appears:
http://www.antiphishing.org/phishing_archive/02-17-05_Paypal/02-17-05_Paypal.html

I.5 MSN - 'Microsoft Network customer data verification'
The Bait: Email sent to you to verify your information on your account.
What it tries to make you do: Click on the link within the email
Where you can see how it actually appears:
http://www.antiphishing.org/phishing_archive/02-15-05_MSN/02-15-05_MSN.html

I.6 KeyBank - 'SECURE YOUR ACCOUNT NOW'
The Bait: Create a secure code for access to KeyBank.
What it tries to make you do: Click on the picture link
Where you can see how it actually appears:
http://www.antiphishing.org/phishing_archive/02-08-05_Key/02-01-05_Key.html

I.7 Google - Email Lottery International
The Bait: Google Lottery Winner
What it tries to make you do: Reply to the email and take money from you.
Where you can see how it actually appears:
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/google-lottery-scam.html

IV. Avoiding Phishing Scams: Tips from Fraud.org:
Information, tips and contact information for avoiding and reporting phishing.
http://www.fraud.org/tips/internet/phishing.htm

V. Email Worm Spoofing: Spoofing Explained:
Easy-to-understand information on how worms use spoofing to spread.
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/email-worm-spoofing.html

Online tax bill due for smokers

Wed, 09 Mar 2005 14:46:59 GMT

Thousands of smokers are getting letters from state and local tax collectors demanding they pay up for their Internet purchases. Collecting sales taxes on goods bought from mail-order and Internet businesses has frustrated state and local governments for more than a decade. The Supreme Court ruled in 1992 that states could not force businesses outside their borders to collect their sales taxes unless the companies have stores or headquarters in those states. The ruling spared such businesses from having to comply with the tax codes of 45 states — and the District of Columbia — that levy sales taxes.

Many states are collaborating on a uniform tax system that would make it easier for online retailers to collect sales taxes on goods they sell. The Streamlined Sales Tax Project would let retailers determine the proper state and local tax rates by entering the customer's ZIP code. The project has been enacted or partially enacted in 20 states.

Sheila Hansen of Manhattan says she got a letter from the city demanding $900 in unpaid taxes on 50 cartons of Kool Milds she bought over three years. Hansen says the city reduced her bill to $750 after she pointed out record-keeping errors. But last week, she got another bill — a $525 claim from New York state. "I was totally shocked," she says. Hansen says she stopped buying cigarettes online and quit smoking before she got the first bill. "My biggest beef is, unless they go after every single person that buys anything on the Internet and doesn't pay taxes, it's not fair," she says. "Right now, they're only targeting smokers." [Sheila, let's leave well enough alone!.]

Internet helps recreate swampland scams that swindle buyers

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 22:19:14 GMT

The Internet has helped bring back "swampland" sales in Florida as companies portray fairly worthless property as good investments, taking advantage of unwary out-of-state buyers. Some of the lots are actually underwater.

Company backlash strikes gripe sites

Mon, 07 Feb 2005 21:31:17 GMT

Company backlash strikes gripe sites By James McNair, The Cincinnati Enquirer

Quick-tempered Americans really lose it when they've been had as consumers. Increasingly, they are taking out their anger on strongly worded Internet gripe sites. Take a look at www.MyVWLemon.com, which boasts 2,000 members and about 15,000 message board postings from Volkswagen buyers.Many such sites exist. But a growing number of consumers around the nation are eliciting an unexpected response from the companies they're assailing: lawsuits and legal threats. As companies find their names and logos besmirched on Web gripe sites, they unleash allegations ranging from trademark violations to defamation.

EBAY: Credits, fee change aimed at small businesses

Mon, 07 Feb 2005 21:17:11 GMT

Less than a month after announcing a price hike that enraged small business owners, eBay Inc. said it would reduce some fees and promised to improve customer service.

The online auction giant said in a Web posting Sunday it would credit $15.95 — the cost of a one-month subscription — to small business owners who operate "eBay Stores" in April. EBay also announced it would reduce the minimum fee for inexpensive auction items from 30 cents to 25 cents, starting Monday morning.

Web site compares drugs for 'best buys'

Sat, 11 Dec 2004 23:18:30 GMT

The publisher of Consumer Reports launched a free Web site Thursday to do for prescription drugs what it has already done for cars, refrigerators and other gadgets: rate them on safety, effectiveness and cost.

New Site Offers Travel Discounts for Students

Mon, 08 Nov 2004 23:17:32 GMT

eStudentSave.com has partnered with hotels.com, the well-known and trusted Web-based travel reservation site. [Warning! An audio messgae kicks off when you hit the site with no way to turn it off.]

Fake Sites Dupe Users

Sat, 23 Oct 2004 20:33:18 GMT

Fraud-based Web sites that purport to sell products and services but really only harvest credit card accounts and other personal information are on the upswing, Websense Security Labs*, an Internet content management vendor said Monday (10/11/2004). According to Websense Security Labs, fraud sites outnumber those associated with phishing, a much better-known scam.

Although such fake sites resemble phishing sites -- both try to dupe users into divulging confidential information -- this new category uses a different ploy. Rather than get people to a site by telling them that their credit or bank account needs adjustment, these scams promise merchandise or a service at phenomenal prices. "Fraud sites don't target a specific brand, like phishing attacks and sites do," said Dan Hubbard, the director of security and technology research for Websense.

* an arm of Websense, a provider of content blocking software for enterprises

A Hitch in Offering Online Prices

Thu, 21 Oct 2004 22:27:27 GMT

Travel sites want to help you find a cheap trip. But is cost the only factor to consider?

Webmail Startup Will Pay Users To Receive Spam

Thu, 21 Oct 2004 20:43:41 GMT

Startup Affini launched a free email service on Wednesday that will eventually pay users to receive advertisements. Initially, the service will work similarly to other "whitelist" email services such as Mailblocks, which allows members to pick and choose who they want to correspond with. In a few weeks, however, Affini will charge companies about 15 cents each to send advertisements to users, who will be able to opt in to the service.

The idea of paying for spam has circulated for years, prompting strategies designed by independent consultants as well as IBM's research team. Most have used some sort of authorized whitelist to determine legitimate emailers, and then offered some form of a token or cash payment to let advertisers into the system. Affini's model will start off as a token model. The tokens will be exchangeable for cash at a later date, in what Chang said would be a matter of weeks. At the launch, users will receive 1,000 points just for signing up, worth about $10 during the cash conversion, he said. A user can block all spam, or opt in to the payment system. Affini members won't pay to send messages, but will have the right to charge a fee for receiving a message from anybody outside the network – individual or commercial sender alike. If the recipient so chooses, he can waive the fee and also invite the sender into the network. At some point, Affini will allow users to alter the initial fee, allowing them to charge a dollar, for example, to receive unsolicited mail.

When the Price Is a Penny, What Profit?

Thu, 21 Oct 2004 19:32:32 GMT

A surprising number of items on eBay are available for just one cent. So where is the profit? (Hint: Watch those shipping charges.)

Business 2.0 Online, Free

Tue, 19 Oct 2004 18:20:26 GMT

Business 2.0, trying out a new technology, has basically put the whole magazine online. You can read, it flip through it and if possible crash-test this little effort of ours. link to get the magazine

Third party credit card processors

Tue, 19 Oct 2004 18:08:09 GMT

A discussion about third party credit card processors - they don't require an Internet merchant account and they are cheap and easy to use. When a business grows, purchasing a merchant account has to be considered, but until that time, third party credit card processors are, usually, the optimum solution because they are cheaper as long as the total monthly value of the sales is low (usually under $1000). Also provides a list with some of the most popular third party credit card processors.

Martha Reeves Says EBay May Cause Identity Theft

Tue, 19 Oct 2004 01:56:06 GMT

Martha Reeves, former lead singer of Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, says eBay left her open to identity theft by posting a contract on its Web site that showed her Social Security number and signature.

ConsumerSearch.com

Thu, 23 Sep 2004 22:00:13 GMT

For each product category, ConsumerSearch offers:

All The Reviews Reviewed: Our ranking and descriptions of all the top reviews, complete with links;
Full Story: Our complete analysis of who the experts are and what they say;
Fast Answers: Our listing of the top-rated products, according to the experts.

ConsumerSearch employs a network of more than 50 writers and editors, including former writers for Consumer Reports, PC Magazine and The New York Times; a Wall Street research analyst; and talent from dozens of major magazines and newspapers. ConsumerSearch is adding content weekly, and we hope to cover 800 product categories within our current format.

PC World declares ConsumerSearch the best source of expert product reviews on the Internet, the Wall Street Journal dubs ConsumerSearch a publisher of "uber-reviews," and Yahoo! Internet Life names ConsumerSearch an "Incredibly Useful Site". See our Press & Awards page for more.

AOL Boosts Security with New 'Passcode'

Wed, 22 Sep 2004 01:17:33 GMT

AOL PassCode uses SecurID, a token-authentication technology developed by RSA that features a keychain-size device that generates and displays a unique six-digit numeric security code every 60 seconds. AOL customers who sign up for the service enter their account password and the current device code in order to access their account. If the authentication server system validates the code, the user can access the AOL account. If not, access is denied. AOL contends that SecurID provides a higher standard of protection through a two-factor authentication system commonly employed by financial institutions, technology companies and other enterprises. AOL PassCode is offered for a one-time fee of US$9.95 for each device, plus $1.95 to $4.95 per month, depending on the number of screen names on the account that are secured to a PassCode device. [Finally! A big step up in security by a major provider albeit at a premium. The future is at least "two-factor" authentication.]

Papers Defend Classified Turf

Tue, 21 Sep 2004 20:50:30 GMT

Last year, more than $24 billion in goods were sold on eBay. While that signifies that more people have an easy way to sell all manner of goods, newspapers are watching their classifieds business get slowly eaten away.

Now, newspapers all across North America are finding they have a way to kill several birds with one stone, thanks to a service from CityXpress, of Vancouver. Many papers now conduct online auctions of their own, helping local retailers sell products from auto parts to furniture and even land, while also building new advertising relationships with those retailers and rebuilding some of the business lost to the eBays and craigslists of the world.

Google Search Reveals Credit-Card Numbers

Mon, 20 Sep 2004 00:03:48 GMT

We found no indication that the larger, more credible, retail sites were the source of credit-card information leaks. Web sites like eBay, Amazon, Office Depot, Best Buy, Sears, and many others appear secure. At least, none of the online purchases recorded in any of the credit-card lists we found contained purchases from major retailers.

It was the mom-and-pop shops, home-based businesses, and smaller companies that showed vulnerability, apparently from ignorance or a lack of professional I.T. resources.

"To get around consumer-security and fulfillment concerns, Internet startups and small businesses will have to align themselves with more credible marketplaces like eBay, Amazon, and Yahoo.

In the meantime, Web-site owners may want to employ a few simple fixes to make sure their critical files and their customers' personal information are not so easily found by search engines.

Price Comparison for Drugs Is Put on Federal Web Site

Fri, 17 Sep 2004 20:21:44 GMT

Over objections from some drug companies, the Bush administration unveiled a new feature of a federal Web site on Wednesday comparing prices for similar brand-name drugs that can be used to treat conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis and allergies.

Consumers Go Online For Travel

Fri, 10 Sep 2004 22:10:19 GMT

More than 80 percent of consumers prefer to make their travel arrangements online according to a report from Feedback Research. Of those surveyed, 59 percent had recently purchased travel online.

The Best and Worst of Ebay

Fri, 10 Sep 2004 21:29:14 GMT

Mark Frauenfelder: "This web page returns the ten most reputable eBay members and the ten least reputable ones. When I checked the page, it listed mario23g (with a feedback rating of -26) as the least reputable person on all of eBay, but I checked his page and it looks like he is no longer registered. The second worst, grannyvon10 (score of -19) earned her negative whuffie from a seller who says she didn't pay for 118 dolls she purchased. The third worst eBay member on Earth, according to this page, is jammin-garage (score -17), who has earned a bunch of complaints from people who say they've paid for stuff he failed to send them."

Web Site Helps Compare Gasoline Prices

Mon, 06 Sep 2004 01:46:08 GMT

AP - Hate it when you fill 'er up and, five minutes later, spot another station selling gas for a nickel a gallon cheaper?

BestWebBuys.com

Mon, 06 Sep 2004 01:04:47 GMT

An interesting site by the name of Best Web Buys attempts to save you a little on your purchases. Best Web Buys searches from about 60 online stores to find you the best deal. The various retailers have ratings, which were voted on by consumers just like you. By viewing this rating, you can get a sense of what the retailer is like. You can request that they add a retail site to their list. There's a Hot Deals section on the left hand side of the page. You may find some bargains there that you didn't know about.

Hotels let customers use Net to check in

Wed, 01 Sep 2004 19:56:59 GMT

Radisson Hotels & Resorts this week starts allowing guests to check in via the Internet up to a week before arrival. The industry is giving guests ways to use their electronic gadgetry to minimize waiting or to otherwise enrich their lodging experience. Now available or in the works: electronic, calorie-tabulating menus in hotel restaurants; Wi-Fi-enabled roaming check-in clerks; and recharging cradles in rooms for Apple iPod personal music players.

Half Of U.S. Shoppers Use Online Product Information

Mon, 23 Aug 2004 15:11:38 GMT

According to a study from Dieringer Research Group, Inc. (DRG), 114.1 million adults searched the Web for product information last year and 98.9 million of them went on to make a purchase either online or offline. By contrast, 106.7 million adults made purchases through mail-order catalogs, telemarketing, and direct mail channels.

Dell wants to teach Web surfers a security lesson

Sun, 22 Aug 2004 17:09:50 GMT

Dell has unveiled a plan to educate its customers on how to protect their computers from an onslaught of spyware, adware and viruses. The computer maker has set up a new PC Security site to help customers identify online security threats and ways to handle them. The Web site also features antivirus and antispyware products as well as links to partner sites. Dell also said it would work with a consumer education group, the Internet Education Foundation, to help its customers. For customers who find it difficult to help themselves, troubleshooting will be available for $39 per incident.

Dell will also begin touching on security in its advertising. Its August sales catalog, for example, will include a four-page insert with information on updating Windows, antivirus and antispyware software as well as keeping data backed up, Rodrigue said. The catalogs reach tens of thousands of customers in the United States via U.S. mail, Dell representatives said. Later in the year, Dell plans to begin installing antispam, spyware protection and pop-up-blocking software on its PCs, Rodrigue added. In some respects, Dell is catching up to others, such as Hewlett-Packard. HP has been shipping Intermute's protection suite, which features applications designed to prevent spam, pop-up ads and spyware, on its PCs.

Google queries provide stolen credit cards

Sun, 22 Aug 2004 15:22:20 GMT

Simple queries using the Google search engine can turn up a handful of sites that have posted credit card information to the Web, CNET News.com learned on Tuesday. The lists of financial information include hundreds of card holders' names, addresses and phone numbers as well as their credit card data. Much of the credit card data that appears in the lists found by Google may no longer be valid, but News.com called several people listed and verified that the credit card numbers were authentic.

N.Y. Atty General Announces Drug-Price Web Site

Thu, 19 Aug 2004 21:01:00 GMT

New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer on Tuesday said his office has created an interactive Web site to help New Yorkers comparison shop for prescription drugs, following a statewide survey showing widely varying prices at pharmacies.

MSN Adds Movie Downloads and Rentals

Tue, 17 Aug 2004 14:20:47 GMT

Microsoft is adding star power to its MSN Internet site by partnering with Blockbuster, CinemaNow, and MovieTickets.com so visitors can rent DVDs, download movies, and buy movie tickets. Microsoft's newly announced partnerships with this trio of movie industry players aims to attract movie fans and more broadband users to its Internet portal.

WholeSecurity releases a program to help companies combat "phishing"

Mon, 16 Aug 2004 23:59:13 GMT

WholeSecurity, an Internet security firm in Austin, Texas, has released a program to help companies combat a growing form of online fraud known as "phishing." Its program, called Web Caller-ID, is already in use at eBay. The online auctioneer has incorporated the technology into its Internet toolbar with a feature called Account Guard.

The program analyzes Web addresses for clues that might lead to fraudulent sites. The program also checks whether the domain name was registered recently or its operator is using a free Web hosting service.

Other companies that offer antiphishing products include EarthLink, Webroot Software and PostX. Microsoft and Yahoo are also working on such programs.

Internet home auction fails

Fri, 13 Aug 2004 19:47:13 GMT

A Pembrokeshire family who hope to emigrate to Australia have failed to sell their home in an internet auction.

Woot!

Thu, 12 Aug 2004 15:33:23 GMT

Woot! is a different sort of online store: They only sell one item per day, Monday through Friday. The product is available only until 11:59 PM Central Time or when their stock runs out. If you miss it, too bad....

Anybook.info

Thu, 15 Jul 2004 02:46:02 GMT

Anybook.info helps find books both out-of-print and still-in-print. There is a search engine, as well as links to the sellers who have the books in stock.

Trojan targets user's financial information

Thu, 01 Jul 2004 02:12:54 GMT

Trojan targets user's financial information. Security researchers warned Tuesday of a new security threat making the Net rounds: A file that appears to spread through pop-up ads and capture personal data. [InfoWorld: Security]

One of the UK's e-commerce pioneers is starting a new venture to help small and medium-sized businesses

Thu, 01 Jul 2004 01:46:54 GMT

Nick Ogden, who founded net payments giant WorldPay, has now started On Instant which aims to create a club of connected companies based around the tools it provides.

Through the On Instant software, firms can manage customer contacts and sales leads, recruit staff, find funding, publicise what they do, search for partners and talk to staff and other network members.

Worm eyes up credit card details

Thu, 01 Jul 2004 01:43:48 GMT

Windows users are being warned about a virus that is "aggressively stealing" credit card numbers and passwords. The Korgo virus debuted on 22 May and since then has been steadily racking up victims. Although the virus is not widespread, security firms are issuing warnings because it is proving so effective at stealing confidential data. The virus opens up a backdoor on PCs it infects which allows its creators to install a key logging program that activates when users fill in forms on websites.

Security firm Symantec has also upgraded its warning about Korgo as the numbers of the virus circulating increased and new variants started to appear. In total seven variants of Korgo have been found. But Symantec added that the threat from the virus was "well-contained".

Art of eBay Selling -- Clear, Precise, Entertaining

Mon, 31 May 2004 22:01:01 GMT

Selling on eBay (http://www.ebay.com) may be as basic as taking out a classified ad, but a little creativity can go a long way. The most successful eBay sellers list items clearly and accurately, with photographs.

Specific descriptions help. For instance, a "Louis Vuitton" bag may attract all sorts of buyers, but bids are likely to be higher for a "Louis Vuitton multicolore pochette" -- which describes the item's pattern and style.

AuctionDrop (http://www.auctiondrop.com), whose stores sell on eBay on behalf of customers for a fee, has specialists in different fields who know what to emphasize in a listing. A listing in the right category also boosts sales. The sales rate for Palm pilots listed as "handheld units" under "PDAs/handheld PCs" in the "consumer electronics" category is about 69 percent, but less under other slightly different headings, noted Jack Reynolds, founder of QuikDrop, another eBay consignment store franchise (http://www.quikdrop.com). Would-be eBay entrepreneurs should focus on their areas of expertise as well as seek out poorly listed items, with misspellings or vague descriptions, Marsha Collier, whose book, "eBay for Dummies" (Wiley), is now in its fourth edition (http://www.dummies.com) advised.

Comparison sites hook savvy Web shoppers

Mon, 31 May 2004 02:57:15 GMT

online buyers are turning increasingly to comparison-shopping engines when they're considering a purchase of everything from baby items to tires.

Last month, 46.6 million Internet users — or almost one-third of the total U.S. Web audience — visited a comparison-shopping site, according to Nielsen/NetRatings.

To put that number in perspective, online dating sites received about half as many visitors in April, the audience measurement company said.

Circuit City tests eBay consignment business in Atlanta

Mon, 24 May 2004 22:03:40 GMT

Circuit City is testing a new business that takes items on consignment from consumers and sells them on eBay.

The first of 10 initial Trading Circuit locations opened nine days ago in Atlanta. The shops, adjacent to Circuit City stores, will accept just about anything that can be sold on the Internet auction site — not just consumer electronics.

More Online Rivals for Mother's Day

Mon, 03 May 2004 22:13:26 GMT

By BOB TEDESCHI (NYT)
Online competitors are crowding the flower vendors for a piece of the Mother's Day market.

EBay Billing Glitch Angers Sellers

Fri, 30 Apr 2004 13:40:02 GMT

PC World - New software causes invoice errors the auction site is slow to correct, say some customers.

Web Site Shows Variation in Drug Prices

Fri, 30 Apr 2004 13:16:14 GMT

By ROBERT PEAR and MILT FREUDENHEIM (NYT)
The government on Thursday activated a Web site documenting wide variation in prices for scores of prescription drugs at thousands of pharmacies around the country.

Michigan, other states bent on taxing Internet sales

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 15:07:11 GMT

Remember all those gifts you bought online during the holidays? Now it's time to pay sales tax on them, at least so say the income tax forms of Michigan and 19 other states.

Feeling vulnerable? Try assessment tools

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 21:33:03 GMT

Come June, high-volume merchants and payment processors that do business on the Web and want to work with MasterCard International had better be conducting quarterly vulnerability assessments of their Web sites. MasterCard warned last fall that it won't do business with them otherwise. [Arguably beyond the scope of information security concerns for small organizations. Nevertheless as the value of your business data escalate as well as the associated risks and costs of protection, "big company" solutions may be required or advisable. Consider that, regardless of the amount of money involved, most legitimate businesses use a bank to "host" their money and provide financial services.]

[Education has similar challenges.]
Schools rethink network security Computer worms and viruses continue to besiege colleges and universities, which are responding with a range of network security improvements.

Pitney Bowes Adds Browser-Based Online Postage Option

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 15:58:14 GMT

The new online postage option simplifies the process of calculating and paying for postage and USPS shipping services. Pitney Bowes introduced Tuesday a browser-based online postage option for its DeliverAbility enterprise package management software, which allows customers to purchase and print postage from their computer.

Study: U.S. slips in e-business 'readiness'

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 15:32:36 GMT

The U.S. has slipped to sixth place in a worldwide ranking of e-business readiness, the worst showing since 2000, when the study was first conducted. The major reason for the U.S. slip is its broadband per capita penetration of only 7 percent, according to the 2004 E-Readines Rankings, done by the The Economist Intelligence Unit in cooperation with IBM Corp.'s Institute for Business Value. South Korea leads the world in broadband penetration with 27 percent, according to the study.